Bible Commentaries
Genesis 3

Verse 1

serpent. Hebrew. Nachash, a shining one. See note on Numbers 21:6 , Numbers 21:9 . The old serpent (2 Corinthians 11:3 ) transformed as "an angel of light" (= a glorious angel, 2 Corinthians 11:14 ). Compare Ezekiel 28:14 , Ezekiel 28:17 , connected with "cherub" (Ezekiel 28:13 , Ezekiel 28:14 , Ezekiel 28:16 ), and contrasted with it here in Genesis 3:24 . See App-19 .

subtil = wise. Hebrew. 'arum, a Homonym. Same as Genesis 2:25 ; here = wise (as Job 5:12 ; Job 15:5 .Proverbs 12:16 , Proverbs 12:23 ; Proverbs 13:16 ; Proverbs 14:8 , Proverbs 14:15 , Proverbs 14:18 ; Proverbs 22:3 ; Proverbs 27:12 ). Compare Ezekiel 28:12 , Ezekiel 28:13 , Ezekiel 28:17 . If the Ellipsis ( App-6 .) be supplied from the preceding context, Genesis 3:1 will then read on from Genesis 2:25 , thus: "they were bothnaked ( 'arum ), the man and his wife, and [knowing only good, Genesis 2:17 ] were not ashamed [before God]. But the Nachash was more wise ( 'arum ) than any living being of the field which Jehovah Elohim had made, and [knowing evil, and not ashamed (Genesis 2:25 ) to question the truth of God's word] he said unto the woman, "&c.

beast = living creature or being; same as Zoon in Revelation 4:6-9 ; Revelation 5:6 , Revelation 5:8 , Revelation 5:14 , &c.

And. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ) throughout this chapter emphasizing each detail.

the LORD God. See note on Genesis 2:4

Yea, hath God said = Can it be that God hath said. Not a question, but Figure Erotesis ( App-6 ) for emph. Opposition to God's Word is Satan's sphere of activity. This is Satan's first utterance in Scripture.

Verse 2

may eat. Misquoted from Genesis 2:16 by not repeating the emphatic Figure Polyptoton , and thus omitting the emph. "freely".

Verse 3

neither shall ye touch it. This sentence is added. Compare Genesis 2:18 , Genesis 2:17 . There is another word in this verse we need to consider, and it is the word "touch". God's command to Eve was; "neither shall ye touch it. "The Hebrew word for "touch" is # H5060 in the Strong's dictionary is ( Naga, a prime root, prop. to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon ( for the purpose; euphemism, to lie with a woman), to reach) , So we see that the warning to Adam and Eve specifically, was to stay away from Satan called both the "serpent", and the "tree of good and evil". The fruit of that tree was not to be taken; and we know that the "fruit" as the results of a sexual relationship between any man and woman is a child. God's command was that Eve "not touch (lay with Satan)." So, we see that the order by God is that Eve not have sexual union with Satan .

lest ye die. Misquoted from Genesis 2:16 , Genesis 2:17 , by not repeating the emphatic Figure Polyptoton , thus changing the emph. preserved in the word "surely".

Verse 4

Ye shall not surely die = Satan's second utterance. Contradiction of God's Word in Genesis 2:17 . This has become the foundation of Spiritism and Traditional belief as to death. See note on Genesis 2:17 .

Verse 5

ye shall be as gods = be as God, Hebrew. Elohim. This is the foundation of Satan's second lie: "The immanence of God in man. "

Verse 6

good for food. See 1 John 2:16 , "Lust of the flesh". Compare Matthew 4:3 .

pleasant to the eyes. See 1 John 2:16 , "Lust of the eyes". Compare Matthew 4:5 .

make one wise. See 1 John 2:16 , "Boastful of life". Compare Matthew 4:8 .

gave. See 1 Timothy 2:14 .

with her. Therefore Adam present. Compare "Ye", verses: Genesis 3:4 , Genesis 3:5 .

Verse 7

knew. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subj.) App-6 . They knew before, but their knowledge now received a new meaning. Adam becomes "naked" by losing something of Elohim's glorious likeness. Romans 8:3 may refer to this.

fig leaves. The man-made covering contrasted, in the structure, with the God-made clothing (Genesis 3:21 ).

aprons. Hebrew word occurs only here.

Verse 8

voice = sound. (Ecclesiastes 7:6 = crackling.) Here = footsteps, as in 2 Samuel 5:24 . 1 Kings 14:6 . 2 Kings 6:32 .

cool. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

hid themselves. No "quest for God" in fallen man. Compare Genesis 4:14 .Luke 15:13 .Ephesians 2:13 .Jeremiah 23:24 .

Verse 9

Where art thou? The 1st Q. in O.T. comes from God to the sinner. Compare 1st Q. in N.T. of the seeking sinner, "Where is He? "(Matthew 2:2 ).

Verse 12

the man. Hebrew. Ha 'adham = the man Adam. App-14 .

the woman. Characteristic of fallen man (Job 31:33 . hence Deuteronomy 13:6 ).

Thou gavest. Implying blame to Jehovah as well as to his wife.

Verse 13

The serpent. See note on Genesis 3:1 and App-19 ; and compare 2 Corinthians 11:3 , 2 Corinthians 11:14 .

Verse 14

said. God asks the serpent no question. There is no parley. Sentence at once pronounced.

upon thy belly, &c. Figure of speech. See App-19 . The words imply the utmost humiliation, as in Psalms 44:25 .

dust, &c. Figure of speech of utter defeat, as in Psalms 72:9 . See App-19 .

Verse 15

it. i.e. Christ. The corruption of this in the Vulgate into "she" lies at the root of Mariolatry: the verb in singular. Masculine shows that zer'a (seed) is here to be taken in singular, with Septuagint, i.e. Christ ; see note on Genesis 17:7 ; Genesis 21:12 , and Galatians 1:3 , Galatians 1:16 .

head . . . heel. See App-19 . No more literal than 1 Corinthians 11:8 , or Psalms 41:9 , and John 13:18 . They denote the temporary sufferings of the Seed, and the complete destruction of Satan and his works (Hebrews 2:14 . 1 John 3:8 ). Heel = lower part. Head = vital part. This is the first great promise and prophecy. Note its position in the centre of Structure above.

Verse 16

greatly multiply. Hebrew "multiplying I will multiply". Figure of speech Polyptoton . Emph. Preserved in word "greatly". Compare Genesis 3:4 , and see note on Genesis 26:28 .

in sorrow. Compare 1 Timothy 2:14 , 1 Timothy 2:15 .

children. Hebrew = sons; but daughters included by context.

to = subject to. Childbearing was not brought into this for eating an apple.

Verse 17

cursed. Nature affected. Romans 8:19-23 .

Verse 18

Thorns. The sign of the curse. What else was brought forth is not stated; but the word may include all kinds of noxious insects, &c, as well as poisonous weeds. It was a crown of "Thorns" that drew the first blood from our Lord.

field. Not the fruit of Paradise.

Verse 19

face = whole body. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part). App-6 .

bread = all kinds of food. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species).

dust. This is literal. See Genesis 2:7 . Psalms 103:14 .Ecclesiastes 12:7 . 1 Corinthians 15:47 . Note the emph. by Introversion | return. | it = (dust). | dust. | return.

Verse 20

Eve = Hebrew. Chavvah = Life, Life-spring. Showing that he believed God. The name "Eve" occurs 4 times: here; Gen 4:1 ; 2 Corinthians 11:3 ; and 1 Timothy 2:13 .

all = all who should live after her. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus).

Verse 21

coats. Compare the structure of Genesis 3:0 , Genesis 3:7 .

of skins = skin. Omitted in the Codex "Severus" See App-34 .

Verse 22

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos ( App-6 ).

man. Hebrew the man, Adam.

good. Hebrew. tov = general good. Compare Genesis 1:4 , Genesis 1:10 , Genesis 1:12 , Genesis 1:18 , Genesis 1:21 , Genesis 1:25 ; Genesis 6:2 .Deuteronomy 1:25 ; Deuteronomy 3:25 .Judges 8:2 .Esther 1:11 .Proverbs 8:11 .Ecclesiastes 7:14 ; Ecclesiastes 11:7 . Verse ends with Fig, Aposiopesis = Sudden silence, emphasizing the result as being unspeakable.

live for ever clearly shows the nature of man,

Verse 23

Therefore: the object is self-evident.

Verse 24

drove out. Note the failure of man under every dispensation.

placed . Heb shakan, to place in a tabernacle, hence to dwell. The Cherubim placed later in the tents of Shem, Genesis 9:26 , Genesis 9:27 . Compare Genesis 4:3 , Genesis 4:7 , Genesis 4:14 , Genesis 4:16 .

Cherubim. See App-41 . 1 Samuel 4:4 .Psalms 80:1 ; Psalms 99:1 .

a = should be "the".

every way , not natah (aside), savav (about), sug (back), panah (toward), but haphak (every way), effectually preserving the way.

keep. See note on Genesis 2:15 = preserve, so that man should not "live for ever" in his fallen condition, but only in Christ, 1 John 5:11 , 1 John 5:12 .

tree of life. See note on Genesis 2:9 .