And Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock: the text does not indicate how much time passed before Abel presented his offering. Good News Translation has “Then,” which suggests a later event without indicating how much later; the most likely sense of the Hebrew is “At the same time” or “Shortly afterward.” Brought is as in verse 3; in verse 3 the offering is brought “to the LORD,” but that is not stated here. Hebrew has “he also,” referring to Abel. The first part of this verse does not repeat “an offering,” which is to be understood.

Firstlings translates a word that means the first lamb (or kid) born to a sheep (or goat). The word is plural as in Revised Standard Version. Flock refers to both sheep and goats, and therefore the young are either “lambs” or “kids.” The use of the plural here is most often taken to mean some of the first born, but of the firstlings may also be understood as singular, as in Good News Translation.

Of the firstlings may be translated “some lambs that were the first to be born to the sheep” or “one of the first lambs born.” In one translation this is expressed as “a nice fat lamb—it was the first lamb the mother gave birth to.” Since goats are probably more widely known throughout the world than are sheep, some languages will find it preferable to speak of “some firstborn kids.” In the event that no term for sheep or goat is known, not even a loan word, it may be possible to say “Abel gave the LORD a gift from some of the first animals born that he raised.” However, since sheep and sheep herding is such an integral part of the biblical scene, translators should make every effort to familiarize readers with these animals through notes and illustrations.

And of their fat portions: fat portions translates a word that is also used in Num 18.12, 27-29 in reference to new oil, wine, and grain, in which the sense is “the choicest or best”; but here, as in Lev 3.3 (there translated simply “fat”), it refers to the highly prized parts of the animal that were offered as a sacrifice. Bible en français courant says it well: “Abel for his part brought as sacrifice some first born lambs from his flock; from these he offered the Lord the best parts.” Good News Translation, which translates “best parts,” also makes clear that the animal must first be killed before anything can be offered. This is also necessary in many languages other than English. Good News Translation may be adapted to say, for example, “Then Abel gave to the LORD some of the lambs that were the first lambs born to his sheep. He killed them and gave the best parts of them as a sacrifice.”

And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering: had regard for translates Hebrew “to look at,” which in this context is “to look at with favor” or “to look favorably on.” Good News Translation says “was pleased with,” and Bible en français courant “The Lord accepted favorably Abel and his offering.” This clause may also be translated, for example, “Abel and his gift pleased the LORD” or “The LORD was pleased with Abel and the gift he had given him.” One translation says idiomatically “The LORD desired Abel and his gift, but he didn’t want Cain….” In order to avoid repeating the words for gift or giving too many times, another translation has “The LORD was glad with Abel’s behavior, but he was not glad with Cain’s.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .