Hebrews 11:4

By faith Abel Intending, so to speak, "to pluck only the flowers which happen to come within his reach, while he leaves the whole meadow full to his readers," he begins to cull his instances from the world before the flood. His examples of faith fall into five groups. 1. Antediluvian (4 6). 2. From Noah to Abraham (7 19, including some general reflexions in 13 16). 3. The Patriarchs (20 22). 4. From Moses to Rahab (23 31). 5. Summary reference to later heroes and martyrs down to the time of the Maccabees (32 40).

more excellent Lit., "more "or "greater."

a more excellent sacrifice than Cain This we learn from Genesis 4:5, but we are not told the exact points in virtue of which the sacrifice was superior. We may naturally infer that Abel's was a more carefully-chosen and valuable offering, but especially that it was offered in a more sincere and humble spirit of faith and love.

he obtained witness By God's sign of approval (Genesis 4:4; LXX.). Hence he is called "righteous" in Matthew 23:35; 1 John 3:12. The Jewish Hagadahwas that God had shewn His approval by fire from heaven which consumed Abel's sacrifice.

testifying of his gifts Rather, "bearing witness to his gifts."

and by it i.e. by his faith.

he being dead yet speaketh Another reading (D, E, I, K) is "though dead, he is still being spoken of." But the allusion seems to be to "the voice of his blood" (Genesis 4:10), as seems clear from the reference in Hebrews 12:24. No doubt it is also meant that he speaks by his example, but there seems to have been some Jewish Hagadahon the subject, for Philo says "Abel which is most strange has both been slain and lives" (Opp. i. 200). He deduces from Genesis 4:10 that Abel is still unforgotten, and hence that the righteous are immortal.