In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4and Abel for his part brought of the firstlings of his flock, their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering He had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.—Genesis 4:3-5 NRS
It is evident from the testimony of Scripture that Israel’s means of worship developed over time. In the earliest sources, offerings and sacrifices were simple, spontaneous, expressions of gratitude and devotion. In the earliest stages of the cultic development there was no official form of worship, no officially designated location or altar, and no officially recognized and designated priesthood. According to the biblical testimony, worship was, more or less, an individual or family matter. The earliest testimonies to cultic activity are generally stories of individuals displaying their gratitude to some sort of divine appearance or intervention. The first offering mentioned in the Bible is found in the Yahwist story of Cain and Abel.
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Author: Glenn McWilliams
Keywords: Cain and Abel, Abel's offering, Cain's offering
Bible reference(s): Genesis 4:3-5
Source: “2013 Tsav.”
Page indexed by: inWORD Bible Software.