Cain and Abel
The first brothers bring offerings to God. When Abel's is accepted and Cain's rejected, jealousy leads to the first murder.
Genesis 4:1-16
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The Story
Adam and Eve had two sons. Cain, the firstborn, became a farmer. Abel, his younger brother, kept flocks. In time, both brought offerings to the Lord.
Abel brought the firstborn of his flock—the best, the fattest portions. Cain brought some fruit of the ground. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but He did not look with favor on Cain's.
Cain burned with anger. His face was downcast.
'Why are you angry?' the Lord asked him. 'If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door. It desires to have you, but you must rule over it.'
But Cain did not rule over it. He said to his brother, 'Let's go out to the field.' And there, Cain attacked Abel and killed him—the first murder, brother against brother.
'Where is your brother Abel?' the Lord asked Cain.
'I don't know,' Cain lied. 'Am I my brother's keeper?'
'What have you done?' God said. 'Your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.'
'My punishment is more than I can bear!' Cain cried. 'Whoever finds me will kill me.'
But even to the murderer, God showed mercy. He put a mark on Cain so that no one would kill him. Cain went out from the Lord's presence and settled east of Eden, in the land of Nod.
Two Brothers
Kids Version
Adam and Eve had two sons. Cain grew up to be a farmer who grew vegetables. Abel grew up to be a shepherd who took care of sheep.
One day, both brothers brought gifts to God. Abel brought his very best lamb—a fluffy, perfect one. Cain brought some of his vegetables, but he didn't really try to give his best.
God was happy with Abel's gift because Abel gave it with love. But God wasn't happy with Cain's gift.
Cain got REALLY angry. His face turned into a big frown.
God warned Cain, 'Be careful! When you're angry, it's easy to do bad things. You need to control your anger.'
But Cain didn't listen. He was so jealous of his brother. He took Abel out to the field and hurt him so badly that Abel died.
'Where is your brother?' God asked Cain.
'I don't know!' Cain said. But that was a lie, and God knew it.
'What have you done?' God was very sad. Cain had to leave his home and wander far away.
This story teaches us that God wants our very best. And when we feel angry or jealous, we need to talk to God about it instead of doing something bad.
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Characters in This Story
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Scripture — Genesis 4:1-16 (KJV)
1And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. Cain: that is, Gotten, or, Acquired
2And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. Abel: Heb. Hebel a keeper: Heb. a feeder
3And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. in process: Heb. at the end of days
4And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: flock: Heb. sheep, or, goats
5But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
6And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
7If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. be accepted: or, have the excellency unto: or, subject unto thee
8And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
9And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
10And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. blood: Heb. bloods
11And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;
12When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
13And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear. My: or, Mine iniquity is greater than that it may be forgiven
14Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.
15And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
16And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
Memory Verse
“And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. Cain: that is, Gotten, or, Acquired”
— Genesis 4:1 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “Cain and Abel” in the Bible?
The first brothers bring offerings to God. When Abel's is accepted and Cain's rejected, jealousy leads to the first murder. This story is found in Genesis 4:1-16.
Where is “Cain and Abel” found in the Bible?
“Cain and Abel” is found in Genesis 4:1-16, in the book of Genesis.
What can children learn from “Cain and Abel”?
This story teaches children about Worship, Jealousy, Murder, God's justice and mercy. Adam and Eve had two sons, Cain and Abel. Abel gave God his best, but Cain didn't. Cain got angry and did something very wrong. God wants us to give Him our best and control our anger.