Genesis 4:4

‘And Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions.’

We are not to read into this any cultic requirements. The cult is not established until Genesis 4:26. It is specifically intended to bring out Abel’s attitude of heart. His first thought was to show his gratitude to God, and thus he gave of his best. He gave of the firstlings of the flock, in other words he thought of God first, and he especially selected the best portions. This is in contrast with the abrupt way in which Cain’s offering is described.

It should be noted that both offered an ‘offering’ (minchah - gift). This is the regular word used for the meal offering and not that used for burnt offerings and sacrifices. Abel’s was thus a primitive offering under this name. ‘Minchah’ can be used of a gift or token of friendship (Isaiah 39:1), an act of homage (1 Samuel 10:27; 1 Kings 10:25), a payment of tribute (Judges 3:15; Judges 3:17 ff), appeasement to a friend wronged (Genesis 32:13; Genesis 32:18), and for procuring favour or assistance (Genesis 43:11 ff; Hosea 10:6), any or all of which ideas might be seen as included in Abel’s offering. But there is never any suggestion anywhere that Abel’s ‘gift’ was more acceptable because it included the shedding of blood. One might feel that to anyone who accepts the nuances of Scripture it could not have been made more clear that Abel’s offering was not to be seen directly as a whole burnt offering or sacrifice. It was a gift to Yahweh.