אָבֵל (a.vel)
a.vel
Abel
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun avel primarily denotes a meadow or grassy plain, though it also appears as part of several place names in the Hebrew Bible. In Genesis 4:8, it identifies the location where Cain killed his brother, marking the first recorded murder in Scripture. This setting—a quiet, open field—contrasts sharply with the violence that occurs there.
The word frequently combines with other terms to specify regions. For instance, Abel-beth-maachah refers to a city in northern Israel near Bethmaachah, while Abel-meholah serves as Elisha’s birthplace. Other compounds like Abel-shittim and Abel-mizraim describe locations in Moab and east of the Jordan, respectively, often highlighting their geographical features such as acacia groves or fertile land.
Interestingly, some sources associate avel with Bethshemesh, suggesting a connection to stone-related imagery. However, its core meaning remains tied to open, grassy spaces. This versatility allows it to anchor significant biblical events in tangible, everyday landscapes, reminding readers of the ordinary settings where extraordinary moments unfold.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word avel points to a meadow or grassy plain, grounding biblical history in ordinary landscapes. In Genesis, it marks the field where Cain and Abel’s story unfolds, showing how everyday settings can hold profound spiritual weight. This reminds us that God meets us not only in temples but also in quiet fields and daily routines.
Place names like Abel-beth-maachah or Abel-meholah anchor significant events in real geography. Elisha’s birthplace, for instance, connects divine calling to a specific home and community. These locations remind readers that faith is lived out in tangible places, not abstract ideas.
When we encounter this word, we are invited to notice the sacred in the simple. A meadow may seem unremarkable, yet it becomes the stage for pivotal moments. This encourages us to see our own surroundings as potential spaces where God’s story continues to unfold.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- at/ Abel1×
- Abel1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּ/אָבֵ֖ל1×
- אָבֵ֣ל1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 20:18
Then she spoke, saying, “They used to say in old times, ‘They shall surely ask counsel at Abel,’ and so they settled a matter.
This verse shows Abel functioning as a place known for seeking wise counsel, highlighting its role in resolving matters through community discernment.