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Ἄβελ

Ábel

G6 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A transliteration of the Hebrew personal name 'Abel,' primarily used as a proper noun referring to the son of Adam mentioned in Genesis. In Greek texts, it denotes the individual Abel without additional semantic content beyond designation as a personal name.

Semantic Range

the proper name of Abel, son of Adam; refers exclusively to the biblical figure Abel in all known Greek sources

Root / Etymology

A direct adaptation from Hebrew הֶבֶל (Hevel), likely meaning 'vapor,' 'breath,' or 'transience,' into Greek script as Ἄβελ through transliteration, without further morphological adaptation or Greek root formation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Ἄβελ is a direct loanword from Hebrew, entering Greek through Jewish scriptural traditions, especially the Septuagint, as a rendered form for the personal name 'Abel' in Genesis 4. The term carries no inherent meaning in Greek outside reference to this specific individual and is never used as a common noun. In both the Septuagint and the New Testament (see, e.g., Luke 11:51; Hebrews 11:4), Ἄβελ refers exclusively to the biblical figure, the second son of Adam and Eve, known for being killed by his brother Cain. Standard English Bible translations render the name as 'Abel,' but this rendition obscures the resonance of the Hebrew origin, which may convey notions of 'breath' or 'ephemerality.' In all known Hellenistic and early Christian Greek usage, including Josephus and other Jewish-Greek authors, Ἄβελ designates only the biblical character; thus, the term's scope is strictly onomastic.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of Hebrew origin (הֶבֶל); Abel, the son of Adam:--Abel.

Root Family

Ἄβελ (Abel) — proper name (Abel, son of Adam)

Root uncertain (personal name only)

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G6-01 Ἂβελ abel N GEN M SG Abel of Abel Abel 4

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G6-01 Matthew 23:35 Ἂβελ abel N GEN M SG Abel of Abel Abel
G6-01 Luke 11:51 Ἂβελ abel N GEN M SG Abel of Abel Abel
G6-01 Hebrews 11:4 Ἂβελ abel N NOM M SG Abel of Abel Abel
G6-01 Hebrews 12:24 Ἂβελ abel N ACC M SG Abel of Abel Abel
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