Abel
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [1]
(Heb. Abel'-, אָבֵלאּ , a name of several villages in Palestine, with additions in the case of the more important, to distinguish them from one another (see each in its alphabetical order). From a comparison of the Arabic and Syriac, it appears to mean Fresh Grass; and the places so named may be conceived to have been in peculiarly verdant situations (Gesenius, Thes. Heb. p. 14; see, however, other significations in Lengerke, Kenaan, 1:358; Hengstenberg, Pentat. 2, 261). (See Abila).
In 1 Samuel 6:18, it is used as an appellative, and probably signifies A Grassy Plain. In this passage, however, perhaps we should read (as in the margin) אֶבֶן , stone, instead of אָבֵל , Abel, or Meadow, as the context (verses 14, 15) requires, and the Sept. and Syriac versions explain; the awkward insertion of our translators, "the great [stone of] Abel," would thus be unnecessary.
In 2 Samuel 20:14; 2 Samuel 20:18, ABEL (See Abel) stands alone for ABELBETH-MAACHAH (See Abelbeth-Maachah) (q. V.).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [2]
ā´bel אבל 'ābhēl 2 Samuel 20:14 1 Samuel 6:18 1 Samuel 6:18 stone of
