Abel: Ruler of water and earth

Names:

• Elohim
• Ruler of water and earth
• Habeel
• The Hebrew name for Abel is Hevel (הֶבֶל).

Abel is a Biblical figure in the Book of Genesis within Abrahamic religions. He was a younger brother of Cain, and the second son of Adam and Eve

In the Gnostic text known as the Secret Book of John, Elohim is another name for Abel, whose parents are Eve and Yaldabaoth. He rules over the elements of water and earth, alongside Cain, who is seen as Yahweh, ruling over the elements of fire and wind.

The Hebrew name “Hevel” (הֶבֶל) can be translated to mean “breath,” “vapor,” or “smoke.” The word conveys a sense of something fleeting or insubstantial, which aligns with the symbolic meaning often associated with Abel in biblical texts.

Cain killed Abel

Chapter LXXVI – Cain becomes jealous of Abel because of his sisters.

1 And the children began to grow stronger and taller; but Cain was hard-hearted, and ruled over his younger brother.

2 Often when his father made an offering, Cain would remain behind and not go with them, to offer up.

3 But, as to Abel, he had a meek heart, and was obedient to his father and mother. He frequently moved them to make an offering, because he loved it. He prayed and fasted a lot.

4 Then came this sign to Abel. As he was coming into the Cave of Treasures, and saw the golden rods, the incense and the myrrh, he asked his parents, Adam and Eve, to tell him about them and asked, “Where did you get these from?”

5 Then Adam told him all that had befallen them. And Abel felt deeply about what his father told him.

6 Furthermore his father, Adam, told him of the works of God, and of the garden. After hearing that, Abel remained behind after his father left and stayed the whole of that night in the Cave of Treasures.

7 And that night, while he was praying, Satan appeared to him under the figure of a man, who said to him, “You have frequently moved your father into making offerings, fasting and praying, therefore I will kill you, and make you perish from this world.”

8 But as for Abel, he prayed to God, and drove away Satan from him; and did not believe the words of the devil. Then when it was day, an angel of God appeared to him, who said to him, “Do not cut short either fasting, prayer, or offering up an offering to your God. For, look, the Lord had accepted your prayer. Be not afraid of the figure which appeared to you in the night, and who cursed you to death.” And the angel departed from him.

9 Then when it was day, Abel came to Adam and Eve, and told them of the vision he had seen. When they heard it, they grieved much over it, but said nothing to him about it; they only comforted him.

10 But as to the hard-hearted Cain, Satan came to him by night, showed himself and said to him, “Since Adam and Eve love your brother Abel so much more than they love you, they wish to join him in marriage to your beautiful sister because they love him. However, they wish to join you in marriage to his ugly sister, because they hate you.

11 Now before they do that, I am telling you that you should kill your brother. That way your sister will be left for you, and his sister will be cast away.”

12 And Satan departed from him. But the devil remained behind in Cain’s heart, and frequently aspired to kill his brother.

Chapter LXXVII – Cain, 15 years old, and Abel 12 years old, grow apart.

1 But when Adam saw that the older brother hated the younger, he endeavored to soften their hearts, and said to Cain, “O my son, take of the fruits of your sowing and make an offering to God, so that He might forgive you for your wickedness and sin.”

2 He said also to Abel, “Take some of your sowing and make an offering and bring it to God, so that He might forgive you for your wickedness and sin.”

3 Then Abel obeyed his father’s voice, took some of his sowing, and made a good offering, and said to his father, Adam, “Come with me and show me how to offer it up.”

4 And they went, Adam and Eve with him, and they showed him how to offer up his gift on the altar. Then after that, they stood up and prayed that God would accept Abel’s offering.

5 Then God looked at Abel and accepted his offering. And God was more pleased with Abel than with his offering, because of his good heart and pure body. There was no trace of guile in him.

6 Then they came down from the altar, and went to the cave in which they lived. But Abel, by reason of his joy at having made his offering, repeated it three times a week, after the example of his father Adam.

7 But as to Cain, he did not want to make an offering, but after his father became very angry, he offered up a gift once. He took the smallest of his sheep for an offering and when he offered it up, his eyes were on the lamb.

8 Therefore God did not accept his offering, because his heart was full of murderous thoughts.

9 And they all thus lived together in the cave in which Eve had brought forth, until Cain was fifteen years old, and Abel twelve years old.

The First Book of Adam and Eve

Water and earth

The deities associated with both the elements of Water and Earth are less common, as most mythologies typically assign specific elements to different gods. However, some deities do have associations, albeit indirect, with both elements:

Poseidon/Neptune
Primarily known as the god of the sea (Water), Poseidon is also the god of earthquakes and horses, which links him to Earth as well, particularly in his role in causing earthquakes.

Susanoo
The Japanese god Susanoo, while primarily known as the god of the sea and storms (Water), also has connections to the Earth through his stories and legends, which often involve interactions with the terrestrial world and its creatures.

Water or Earth

A list of gods, deities, and mythological figures associated with the elements of Water and Earth from various cultures:

Water

1. Poseidon (Greek) – God of the sea, earthquakes, and horses.
2. Neptune (Roman) – God of fresh water and the sea.
3. Tiamat (Babylonian) – Goddess of the salt sea and the personification of primordial chaos.
4. Yemoja (Yoruba) – Orisha goddess of the Ogun River and mother of all other Orishas.
5. Varuna (Hindu) – God of the oceans and the cosmic order.
6. Sedna (Inuit) – Goddess of the sea and marine animals.
7. Mazu (Chinese) – Goddess of the sea who protects fishermen and sailors.
8. Lir (Irish) – God of the sea in Irish mythology.
9. Njord (Norse) – God of the sea, wind, fish, and wealth.
10. Susanoo (Japanese) – Shinto god of the sea and storms.

Earth

1. Gaia (Greek) – Primordial Earth goddess and mother of all life.
2. Demeter (Greek) – Goddess of agriculture, harvest, and fertility of the earth.
3. Geb (Egyptian) – God of the Earth.
4. Pachamama (Incan) – Goddess of the earth and fertility.
5. Dharti Mata (Hindu) – Personification of the earth and one of the mother goddesses.
6. Rhea (Greek) – Mother of the gods and goddess of the earth.
7. Tellus Mater (Roman) – Ancient Roman earth goddess associated with fertility and abundance.
8. Prithvi (Hindu) – Goddess of the earth and mother of plants and animals.
9. Cernunnos (Celtic) – Horned god of the earth, fertility, life, animals, wealth, and the underworld.
10. Mokosh (Slavic) – Goddess associated with moisture and the earth, often depicted as a protector of women and their fertility.

Several deities associated with Water or Earth have counterparts who rule over Fire or Wind in various mythologies. Here are a few examples:

Water and Fire

1. Poseidon (Water, Greek) and Hephaestus (Fire, Greek): Poseidon is the god of the sea, while Hephaestus is the god of fire and metalworking.
2. Susanoo (Water, Japanese) and Kagutsuchi (Fire, Japanese): Susanoo is associated with the sea and storms, and Kagutsuchi is the god of fire.

Earth and Fire

1. Gaia (Earth, Greek) and Hephaestus (Fire, Greek): Gaia is the Earth itself, a primordial deity, and Hephaestus, as mentioned, is the god of fire.
2. Pachamama (Earth, Incan) and Inti (Fire, Incan): Pachamama is the goddess of the earth, and Inti is considered a sun god, representing fire and light.

Water and Wind

1. Poseidon (Water, Greek) and Aeolus (Wind, Greek): Poseidon rules over the sea, and Aeolus is the master of the winds.
2. Susanoo (Water, Japanese) and Fujin (Wind, Japanese): Susanoo controls storms and the sea, while Fujin is the god of the wind.

Earth and Wind

1. Gaia (Earth, Greek) and Aeolus (Wind, Greek): Gaia is the Earth goddess, and Aeolus controls the wind, which can be seen as moving over the Earth and interacting with its landscapes.

These counterparts show how different elements are balanced and interact within various pantheons, reflecting the diverse and interconnected nature of the world in mythological frameworks.