John Bengel Commentary - Hebrews 11:4 - 11:4

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John Bengel Commentary - Hebrews 11:4 - 11:4


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Heb 11:4. Πλείονα) a more excellent, preferable, and on that account more highly esteemed. Each of the brothers followed his own mode of life in offering the sacrifice. But Abel conducted himself more righteously in the kind of sacrifice which he offered. The husbandman, Cain, brought an offering of the fruits of the earth: Abel, a pastor of sheep, brought of their firstlings and fat. Here, then, the latter took the best which he had,-a thing which the former is not said to have done. At the same time the offering of Cain merely implied a confession of obligation; the sacrifice (victima) of Abel, a confession of sin and a desire of atonement. This was quite consonant with faith.-παρὰ Κάϊν, than Cain) who was defective in faith, and therefore without the Divine testimony.-διʼ ἧς, by which) He obtained by faith both righteousness and the testimony of righteousness, Heb 11:7.-μαρτυροῦντος, testifying) For ἐπεῖδεν, God looked upon, had respect to, Gen 4:4, by a certain sign, which was also seen by Cain.[69]-διʼ αὐτῆς, by it) faith; construed with ἀποθανὼν, being dead [having died in it. But Engl. Vers. construes it with speaketh]; comp. Heb 11:13; for διὰ has the same meaning as κατὰ or ἐν; 1Ti 2:15.-λαλεῖ, speaks) speaks of himself, and those like himself, against the followers of Cain; ch. Heb 12:24.

[69] This probably refers to the consuming of Abel’s sacrifice by fire from heaven, which was not extended to Cain’s.-TR.