begins, not after the rule of the verb first, but with the subject “Abel,” emphasized by a gam hû’ = “even he” or “on his part.” Since the contrast is so marked, there can be no doubt that the significant words “of the first-born” and “some of the fat pieces” in addition to “of his flock” aim to show a distinguishing feature of this sacrifice. Since one merely gave of what he had acquired, but the other gave “firstlings” and “fat pieces” of what he had acquired, it is evident that the one gave because