Book of the Bee

Historical scan page 54

2 6 THE BOOK OF THE BEE. Cain’s sister to Abel; but Cain desired his own sister more than Abel’s1. Both (i. e. Kelemath and Leboda) were his sisters, but because of their birth at one time I have called them thus. Now Cain’s sister was exceedingly beautiful. The two brothers made an offering to God because of this matter. Abel, because he was a shepherd, offered up of the fat firstlings of his flock in great love, with a pure heart and a sincere mind. Cain, because he was a husbandman, made an offering of some of the refuse of the fruits of his husbandry with reluctance. He made an offering of ears of wheat that were smitten by blight ; but some say of straw only. And the divine fire came down from heaven and consumed the offering of Abel, and it was accepted ; while the offering of Cain was rejected. And Cain was angry with God, and envied his brother ; and he persuaded his brother to come out into the plain, and slew him. Some say that he smashed 2 his head with stones, and killed him ; and others say that Satan appeared to him in the form of wild beasts that fight with one another and slay each other. [VI At any rate, he killed him, whether this way or that way. Then God said to Cain, ‘ Where is Abel thy brother?’ Cain said, ‘Am I forsooth my brother’s keeper?’ God said, ‘ Behold, the sound of the cry of thy brother Abel’s blood has come unto me ; ’ and God cursed Cain, and made him a wanderer and a fugitive all the days of his life. From the day in which the blood of Abel was shed upon the ground, it did not law that thou shouldst take to wife thy sister who was born with thee. But take ye of the fruit of the trees and the young of the flocks, and go ye up to the top of this holy mountain, and enter into the Cave of Treasures, and offer up your offerings there, and pray before God, and then be united unto your wives.” And it came to pass that when Adam the first priest, and Cain and Abel his sons, were going up to the top of the mountain, Satan suggested to Cain to slay Abel his brother for the sake of Leboda, and because his offering was rejected and not accepted before God, while that of Abel was accepted. And Cain increased his envy against Abel his brother; and when they came down to the plain, Cain stood up against Abel his brother and slew him by a wound from a flint stone.’ See Bezold, Die Scha/zhohle, p. 8; Brit. Mus. Add. 25,875, fol. 7 col. 2 to fol. 8 a, col. 2. 1 According to R. Huna, Cain wished to marry his sister because she was born with him, Bereshith Rabbah on Gen. iv. 8. 2 cli is not given in Castell Michaelis. It occurs again at p. J^us, 1. 2.