Skip to content
God's MapOpen the map

What was the relationship between Cain and Abel?

Cain and Abel were brothers. Cain took Abel out into the field and killed him there. Genesis 4:2, 8

What the Bible says

Genesis 4:8

And Cain said to Abel his brother: Let us go forth abroad. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel, and slew him.

Genesis 4:9

And the Lord said to Cain: Where is thy brother Abel? And he answered, I know not: am I my brother’s keeper?

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

What the Church teaches

Cain’s murder of his brother Abel reveals the anger and envy in man, from the very beginning.

Catechism 2259 · Catechism of the Catholic Church

Did you know?

In this story, the word “brother” appears seven times. NABRE note on Gn 4, 2

Follow the thread

Meet Cain and Abel.

See the thread on the map