The Relationship Between Fellow Humans: Cain and Abel
"Cain and Abel" is a story of the first brothers that illustrates the first death of a human being, the first murder and the first fratricide. It is a lesson for the whole mankind that needs to be studied.
The events surrounding Cain and Abel are covered in a profound mystery. A reason for this could be the fact that the story is written in very few words, the Bible, uses only 16 verses (Genesis 4:1-16). Starting from the premise that everybody knows the story of Cain and Able, we will focus only on some key aspects.
The cause of the murder
a. The refusal of the offering - A lot of questions are raised concerning the reason or reasons why God refused the sacrifice put forward by Cain, however since Abel knew what the right way to bring a sacrifice was, we can assume that Cain was also aware of how God would accept a sacrifice but he just did not act right. An interesting interpretation is put forward by some who believed God showed his appreciation for Abel by sending a beam of light or even lighting the fire that consumed Abel's offering. The first son of man surely saw this scene and became jealous and angry. There are two ideas here: on one hand nobody is perfect and we need to learn from one another, and on the other hand the reasons behind the failure are not so important because failure is not a suffice motive for a rupture in a family or murder.
b. Involuntary manslaughter - This variation says that although Cain set out to hurt his brother he did not want to kill him or he did not think it was possible to kill him, given the fact that no other human being had died before. Still, something about Cain's answer, "Am I my brother's keeper?" seems to indicate the lack of remorse.
The fratricide
How did the son of Adam know how to kill Abel? In the Islamic tradition, Cain tries to strangle his brother who does not fight back. However, he does not succeed until a snake appears and tell him to hit his brother in the head with a rock. The Koran was written in the 7th century,(after the Bible's Old Testament that was written at least 3,000 years ago) and it only mentions that Adam had sons. The Islamic tradition continues and says that after the murder Cain does not know what to do with the body until he sees a raven making a hole with his beak. This is how the burial tradition started, although, in this case, it is an act of hiding.
Other more pragmatic interpretations underline the fact that although no human being had died up to this point, there is nothing mentioned about animals. Cain must have seen a predator killing an herbivore or even his brother, Abel, who was a shepherd, killing some sheep.
The punishment
When God confronts Cain, according to some language experts, He discloses and important aspect: that the first son of man not only killed his brother but also his descendants. If this is the case, why didn't God condemned Cain to death? The first explanation underlines the fact that if Cain did not know what will happen if he hits his brother, then it is not murder of the first degree. The second claims that in the verse "My punishment is more than I can bear", Cain actually meant that his sin was too great. He repented and no sin is beyond forgiveness. Therefore, God punishes Cain, but at the same time he is indulgent and eventually forgiving. The sign with which he marks the first son of man is also I sign of protection, to keep him safe from the revenge of others. Others proofs of forgiveness: God talks to the murderer, Cain has a son, although he is condemned to forever be a "restless wanderer" he manages to build a city.etc.
Conclusion
The story of Cain and Abel is very important in human culture. It promotes the idea that the first murder was a fratricide and therefore all murders represent the killing of a brother. To the question "am I my brother's keeper?", the answer is clearly: yes. Jesus Christ the Son of God answers this question in his parable with the injured man where the conclusion is that anyone who is in our way and needs us - regardless if you know him or not - is your brother and if you can help but you don't, you sin as well.
The cause of the murder
a. The refusal of the offering - A lot of questions are raised concerning the reason or reasons why God refused the sacrifice put forward by Cain, however since Abel knew what the right way to bring a sacrifice was, we can assume that Cain was also aware of how God would accept a sacrifice but he just did not act right. An interesting interpretation is put forward by some who believed God showed his appreciation for Abel by sending a beam of light or even lighting the fire that consumed Abel's offering. The first son of man surely saw this scene and became jealous and angry. There are two ideas here: on one hand nobody is perfect and we need to learn from one another, and on the other hand the reasons behind the failure are not so important because failure is not a suffice motive for a rupture in a family or murder.
b. Involuntary manslaughter - This variation says that although Cain set out to hurt his brother he did not want to kill him or he did not think it was possible to kill him, given the fact that no other human being had died before. Still, something about Cain's answer, "Am I my brother's keeper?" seems to indicate the lack of remorse.
The fratricide
How did the son of Adam know how to kill Abel? In the Islamic tradition, Cain tries to strangle his brother who does not fight back. However, he does not succeed until a snake appears and tell him to hit his brother in the head with a rock. The Koran was written in the 7th century,(after the Bible's Old Testament that was written at least 3,000 years ago) and it only mentions that Adam had sons. The Islamic tradition continues and says that after the murder Cain does not know what to do with the body until he sees a raven making a hole with his beak. This is how the burial tradition started, although, in this case, it is an act of hiding.
Other more pragmatic interpretations underline the fact that although no human being had died up to this point, there is nothing mentioned about animals. Cain must have seen a predator killing an herbivore or even his brother, Abel, who was a shepherd, killing some sheep.
The punishment
When God confronts Cain, according to some language experts, He discloses and important aspect: that the first son of man not only killed his brother but also his descendants. If this is the case, why didn't God condemned Cain to death? The first explanation underlines the fact that if Cain did not know what will happen if he hits his brother, then it is not murder of the first degree. The second claims that in the verse "My punishment is more than I can bear", Cain actually meant that his sin was too great. He repented and no sin is beyond forgiveness. Therefore, God punishes Cain, but at the same time he is indulgent and eventually forgiving. The sign with which he marks the first son of man is also I sign of protection, to keep him safe from the revenge of others. Others proofs of forgiveness: God talks to the murderer, Cain has a son, although he is condemned to forever be a "restless wanderer" he manages to build a city.etc.
Conclusion
The story of Cain and Abel is very important in human culture. It promotes the idea that the first murder was a fratricide and therefore all murders represent the killing of a brother. To the question "am I my brother's keeper?", the answer is clearly: yes. Jesus Christ the Son of God answers this question in his parable with the injured man where the conclusion is that anyone who is in our way and needs us - regardless if you know him or not - is your brother and if you can help but you don't, you sin as well.
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