Gen 4:2 | NET2full | STEP | Then she gave birth to his brother Abel . Abel took care of the flocks , while Cain cultivated the ground .

‏ Genesis 4:2

2 Then she gave birth ^{▼▼tn Heb “And she again gave birth.”} to his brother Abel. ^{▼▼sn The name Abel is not defined here in the text, but the tone is ominous. Abel’s name, the Hebrew word הֶבֶל (hevel), means “breath, vapor, vanity,” foreshadowing Abel’s untimely and premature death.} Abel took care of the flocks, while Cain cultivated the ground. ^{▼▼tn Heb “and Abel was a shepherd of the flock, and Cain was a worker of the ground.” The designations of the two occupations are expressed with active participles, רֹעֵה (roʿeh, “shepherd”) and עֹבֵד (ʿoved, “worker”). Abel is occupied with sheep, whereas Cain is living under the curse, cultivating the ground.}