Bible Commentaries
Genesis 3

Verse 1

The serpent

The serpent, in his Edenic form, is not to be thought of as a writhing reptile. That is the effect of the curse Genesis 3:14. The creature which lent itself to Satan may well have been the most beautiful as was the most "subtle" of creatures less than man. Traces of that beauty remain despite the curse. Every movement of a serpent is graceful, and many species are beautifully coloured. In the serpent, Satan first appeared as "an angel of light" 2 Corinthians 11:14.

Verse 14

And the Lord God said

The Adamic Covenant conditions the life of fallen man--conditions which must remain till, in the kingdom age, "the creation also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the sons of God" Romans 8:21. The elements of the Adamic Covenant are:

(1) The serpent, Satan's tool, is cursed (Genesis 3:14), and becomes God's illustration in nature of the effects of sin--from the most beautiful and subtle of creatures to a loathsome reptile! The deepest mystery of the atonement is intimated here. Christ, "made sin for us," in bearing our judgment, is typified by the brazen serpent ; Numbers 21:5-9; John 3:14; 2 Corinthians 5:21. Brass speaks of judgment--in the brazen altar, of God's judgment, and in the laver, of self-judgment.

(2) The first promise of a Redeemer (Genesis 3:15). Here begins the "Highway of the Seed," Abel, Seth, Noah Genesis 6:8-10; Genesis 6:8-10 Shem Genesis 9:26; Genesis 9:27 Abraham Genesis 12:1-4; Genesis 12:1-4 Isaac Genesis 17:19-21 Jacob Genesis 28:10-14; Genesis 28:10-14 Judah Genesis 49:10; Genesis 49:10 David 2 Samuel 7:5-17 Immanuel-Christ ; Isaiah 7:9-14; Matthew 1:1; Matthew 1:20-23; 1 John 3:8; John 12:31.

(3) The changed state of the woman (Genesis 3:16). In three particulars:

(a) Multiplied conception; (b) motherhood linked with sorrow; (c) the headship of the man (cf) Genesis 1:26; Genesis 1:27 The entrance of sin, which is disorder, makes necessary a headship, and it is vested in man ; 1 Timothy 2:11-14; Ephesians 5:22-25; 1 Corinthians 11:7-9.

(4) The earth cursed (Genesis 3:17) for man's sake. It is better for fallen man to battle with a reluctant earth than to live without toil.

(5) The inevitable sorrow of life (Genesis 3:17).

(6) The light occupation of Eden Genesis 2:15 changed to burdensome labour Genesis 3:18; Genesis 3:19.

(7) Physical death Genesis 3:19; Romans 5:12-21; Romans 5:12-21 See "Death (spiritual)" Genesis 2:17. (See Scofield "Genesis 2:17- :") .

See for the other covenants:

EDENIC (See Scofield "Genesis 2:17- :")

NOAHIC (See Scofield "Genesis 2:17- :")

ABRAHAMIC (See Scofield "Genesis 2:17- :")

MOSAIC (See Scofield "Genesis 2:17- :")

PALESTINIAN (See Scofield "Genesis 2:17- :")

DAVIDIC (See Scofield "Genesis 2:17- :")

NEW (See Scofield "Genesis 2:17- :")

Verse 15

thou shalt bruise his heel

The chain of references which begins here includes the promises and prophecies concerning Christ which were fulfilled in His birth and works at His first advent. See, for line of unfulfilled promises and prophecies: "Christ (second advent)" Deuteronomy 30:3. (See Scofield "Deuteronomy 30:3- :") "Kingdom" ; Genesis 1:26-28; Zechariah 12:8 "Kingdom (N.T.)" ; Luke 1:31; 1 Corinthians 15:28 "Day of the Lord" ; Isaiah 2:10; Revelation 19:11

Verse 19

return Death (physical).

Genesis 5:5; Genesis 3:19; Hebrews 9:27

Verse 20

Eve

i.e. living, or life-giver.

Verse 21

coats of skins

Coats of skins: Type of "Christ, made unto us righteousness"-- a divinely provided garment that the first sinners might be made fit for God's presence. See Righteousness, garment Genesis 3:21; Revelation 19:8.

Verse 23

Therefore the Lord God

The Second Dispensation: Conscience. By disobedience man came to a personal and experimental knowledge of good and evil--of good as obedience, of evil as disobedience to the known will of God. Through that knowledge conscience awoke. Expelled from Eden and placed under the second, or ADAMIC COVENANT, man was responsible to do all known good, to abstain from all known evil, and to approach God through sacrifice. The result of this second testing of man is stated in Genesis 6:5 and the dispensation ended in the judgment of the Flood. Apparently "the east of the garden" Genesis 3:24 where were the cherubims and the flame, remained the place of worship through this second dispensation. See for the other six dispensations:

INNOCENCE (See Scofield "Genesis 3:24- :")

HUMAN GOVERNMENT (See Scofield "Genesis 3:24- :")

PROMISE (See Scofield "Genesis 3:24- :")

LAW (See Scofield "Genesis 3:24- :")

GRACE (See Scofield "Genesis 3:24- :")

KINGDOM (See Scofield "Genesis 3:24- :")

Verse 24

Cherubims

See note, (See Scofield " :-")