Genesis 4:2

4:2 Then she gave birth ¹  to his brother Abel. ²  Abel took care of the flocks, while Cain cultivated the ground. ³ 

Genesis 30:43

30:43 In this way Jacob ⁴  became extremely prosperous. He owned ⁵  large flocks, male and female servants, camels, and donkeys.

Genesis 31:4

31:4 So Jacob sent a message for Rachel and Leah ⁶  to come to the field ⁷  where his flocks were. ⁸ 

Genesis 34:28

34:28 They took their flocks, herds, and donkeys, as well as everything in the city and in the surrounding fields. ⁹ 

Genesis 37:16

37:16 He replied, “I’m looking for my brothers. Please tell ¹⁰  me where they are grazing their flocks.”

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¹ tn Heb “And she again gave birth.”

² 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.

³ 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 (ro’eh, “shepherd”) and עֹבֵד (’oved, “worker”). Abel is occupied with sheep, whereas Cain is living under the curse, cultivating the ground.

⁴ tn Heb “the man”; Jacob’s name has been supplied in the translation for clarity.

⁵ tn Heb “and there were to him.”

⁶ tn Heb “sent and called for Rachel and for Leah.” Jacob did not go in person, but probably sent a servant with a message for his wives to meet him in the field.

⁷ tn Heb “the field.” The word is an adverbial accusative, indicating that this is where Jacob wanted them to meet him. The words “to come to” are supplied in the translation for clarification and stylistic reasons.

⁸ tn Heb “to his flock.”

⁹ tn Heb “and what was in the city and what was in the field they took.”

¹⁰ tn The imperative in this sentence has more of the nuance of a request than a command.