Cain

Cain, in the Old Testament (see Genesis 4:1-16) and the Koran, elder son of Adam and Eve and the brother of Abel. When Abel's sacrificial offering was accepted but his own rejected, Cain slew Abel and became the first murderer. Cain was cursed and condemned to a life of wandering. A divine mark was placed upon him lest anyone meeting him should slay him. Sevenfold vengeance was to be visited upon anyone who disregarded the mark and killed Cain. For his wicked deed he is recalled in the New Testament (see 1 John 3:12; Jude 11). The story is interpreted by historians and biblical scholars as a symbolic account of an ancient nomadic people named Cain; of its distinguishing tattoo mark; and of its reputation for ferocious vengeance against other peoples who slew members of the Cain. The name Cain has become synonymous with murderer; the mark that was affixed to Cain has become known as the mark or brand of Cain and is used figuratively to denote a murderer.

Islamic tradition states that Kabil and Habil (Cain and Abel) had twin sisters. Allah's rejection of Kabil's sacrifice resulted from his refusal to marry Habil's sister. Kabil roamed the Earth for years with his brother's body until the sight of a raven burying a dead bird taught him to bury the dead.