King James Version
Genesis 3
24 verses with commentary
The Fall of Man
Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? Yea: Heb. Yea, because, etc.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Now the serpent was more subtil</strong> (עָרוּם, <em>arum</em>)—The Hebrew <em>arum</em> means "shrewd, crafty, prudent," a wordplay on Adam and Eve being "naked" (<em>arummim</em>, 2:25). The serpent perverts God-given wisdom into deceptive cunning. Revelation 12:9 and 20:2 identify this serpent as Satan, but Genesis presents him as merely a creature—<strong>more subtil than any beast of...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
**III.**
(1) **Now the serpent.—**Literally, *And. *The Hebrew language, however, is very poor in particles, and the intended contrast would be made plainer by rendering “Now they were both naked (*arumim*) . . . but the serpent was subtil (*arum*)*, *more than every beast of the field.” This quality of the serpent was in itself innocent, and even admirable, and accordingly the LXX. translate *pru...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**21. deep sleep--**probably an ecstasy or trance like that of the prophets, when they had visions and revelations of the Lord, for the whole scene was probably visible to the mental eye of Adam, and hence his rapturous exclamation.
**took one of his ribs--**"She was not made out of his head to surpass him, nor from his feet to be trampled on, but from his side to be equal to him, and near his h...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The serpent deceives Eve.(1-5)
Adam and Eve transgress the Divine command, and fall into sin and misery.(6-8)
God calls upon Adam and Eve to answer.(9-13)
The serpent cursed, The promised Seed.(14-15)
The punishment of mankind.(16-19)
The first clothing of mankind.(20-21)
Adam and Eve are driven out from paradise.(22-24)
**Verses 1-5**
...
Read full commentary →And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:...</strong> This chapter narrates humanity's tragic fall from innocence through temptation, sin, and divine judgment. The serpent's subtle questioning of God's word, Eve's addition to and misquotation of God's command, and Adam's passive participation demonstrate the progression from doubt to disobedie...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The serpent deceives Eve.(1-5)
Adam and Eve transgress the Divine command, and fall into sin and misery.(6-8)
God calls upon Adam and Eve to answer.(9-13)
The serpent cursed, The promised Seed.(14-15)
The punishment of mankind.(16-19)
The first clothing of mankind.(20-21)
Adam and Eve are driven out from paradise.(22-24)
**Verses 1-5**
...
Read full commentary →But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of...</strong> This chapter narrates humanity's tragic fall from innocence through temptation, sin, and divine judgment. The serpent's subtle questioning of God's word, Eve's addition to and misquotation of God's command, and Adam's passive participation demonstrate the progression from doubt ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**23. Woman--**in Hebrew, "man-ess."
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The serpent deceives Eve.(1-5)
Adam and Eve transgress the Divine command, and fall into sin and misery.(6-8)
God calls upon Adam and Eve to answer.(9-13)
The serpent cursed, The promised Seed.(14-15)
The punishment of mankind.(16-19)
The first clothing of mankind.(20-21)
Adam and Eve are driven out from paradise.(22-24)
**Verses 1-5**
...
Read full commentary →And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:...</strong> This chapter narrates humanity's tragic fall from innocence through temptation, sin, and divine judgment. The serpent's subtle questioning of God's word, Eve's addition to and misquotation of God's command, and Adam's passive participation demonstrate the progression from doubt to disobedience to disaster.<br><br>The...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**24. one flesh--**The human pair differed from all other pairs, that by peculiar formation of Eve, they were one. And this passage is appealed to by our Lord as the divine institution of marriage (Mt 19:4, 5; Ep 5:28). Thus Adam appears as a creature formed after the image of God--showing his knowledge by giving names to the animals, his righteousness by his approval of the marriage relation, and...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The serpent deceives Eve.(1-5)
Adam and Eve transgress the Divine command, and fall into sin and misery.(6-8)
God calls upon Adam and Eve to answer.(9-13)
The serpent cursed, The promised Seed.(14-15)
The punishment of mankind.(16-19)
The first clothing of mankind.(20-21)
Adam and Eve are driven out from paradise.(22-24)
**Verses 1-5**
...
Read full commentary →For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as...</strong> This chapter narrates humanity's tragic fall from innocence through temptation, sin, and divine judgment. The serpent's subtle questioning of God's word, Eve's addition to and misquotation of God's command, and Adam's passive participation demonstrate the progression from doubt ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **Ye shall be as gods.**—Rather, *as God, *as Elohim himself, in the particular quality of knowing good and evil. It was a high bait which the tempter offered; and Eve, who at first had answered rightly, and who as yet knew nothing of falsehood, dallied with the temptation, and was lost. But we must not comment too severely upon her conduct. It was no mean desire which led her astray: she long...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The serpent deceives Eve.(1-5)
Adam and Eve transgress the Divine command, and fall into sin and misery.(6-8)
God calls upon Adam and Eve to answer.(9-13)
The serpent cursed, The promised Seed.(14-15)
The punishment of mankind.(16-19)
The first clothing of mankind.(20-21)
Adam and Eve are driven out from paradise.(22-24)
**Verses 1-5**
...
Read full commentary →And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. pleasant: Heb. a desire
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a ...</strong> This chapter narrates humanity's tragic fall from innocence through temptation, sin, and divine judgment. The serpent's subtle questioning of God's word, Eve's addition to and misquotation of God's command, and Adam's passive participation demonstrate the progression from doubt ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **And when the woman saw . . . she took.**—Heb., *And the woman saw *. . . *and she took, *&c. In this, the original form of the narrative, we see the progress of the temptation detailed in a far more lively manner than in our version. With awakened desire the woman gazes upon the tree. The fruit appears inviting to the eye, and possibly was really good for food. The whole aspect of the tree w...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-8**
Observe the steps of the transgression: not steps upward, but downward toward the pit. 1. She saw. A great deal of sin comes in at the eye. Let us not look on that which we are in danger of lusting after, Mt 5:28. 2. She took. It was her own act and deed. Satan may tempt, but he cannot force; may persuade us to cast ourselves down, but he cannot cast us down, Mt 4:6. 3. She did ...
Read full commentary →And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. aprons: or, things to gird about
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves...</strong> This chapter narrates humanity's tragic fall from innocence through temptation, sin, and divine judgment. The serpent's subtle questioning of God's word, Eve's addition to and misquotation of God's command, and Adam's passive participation demonstrate the progression from doubt ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **The eyes of them both were opened.**—This consciousness of guilt came upon them as soon as they had broken God’s commandment by eating of the forbidden fruit; and it is evident from the narrative that they ate together; for otherwise Eve would have been guilty of leading Adam into sin after her understanding had been enlightened to perceive the consequences of her act. But manifestly her dee...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 3 Ge 3:1-5. The Temptation.
**1. the serpent--**The fall of man was effected by the seductions of a serpent. That it was a real serpent is evident from the plain and artless style of the history and from the many allusions made to it in the New Testament. But the material serpent was the instrument or tool of a higher agent, Satan or the devil, to whom the sacred writers apply from this i...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-8**
Observe the steps of the transgression: not steps upward, but downward toward the pit. 1. She saw. A great deal of sin comes in at the eye. Let us not look on that which we are in danger of lusting after, Mt 5:28. 2. She took. It was her own act and deed. Satan may tempt, but he cannot force; may persuade us to cast ourselves down, but he cannot cast us down, Mt 4:6. 3. She did ...
Read full commentary →And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. cool: Heb. wind
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and ...</strong> This chapter narrates humanity's tragic fall from innocence through temptation, sin, and divine judgment. The serpent's subtle questioning of God's word, Eve's addition to and misquotation of God's command, and Adam's passive participation demonstrate the progression from doubt ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden.**—The matter-of-fact school of commentators understand by this that there was a thunderstorm, and the guilty pair hearing for the first time the uproar of nature, hid themselves in terror, and interpreted the mighty peals as meaning their condemnation. Really it is in admirable keeping with the whole narrative; and Jehovah appea...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**2. the woman said, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden--**In her answer, Eve extolled the large extent of liberty they enjoyed in ranging at will amongst all the trees--one only excepted, with respect to which, she declared there was no doubt, either of the prohibition or the penalty. But there is reason to think that she had already received an injurious impression; for in using ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-8**
Observe the steps of the transgression: not steps upward, but downward toward the pit. 1. She saw. A great deal of sin comes in at the eye. Let us not look on that which we are in danger of lusting after, Mt 5:28. 2. She took. It was her own act and deed. Satan may tempt, but he cannot force; may persuade us to cast ourselves down, but he cannot cast us down, Mt 4:6. 3. She did ...
Read full commentary →And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?...</strong> This chapter narrates humanity's tragic fall from innocence through temptation, sin, and divine judgment. The serpent's subtle questioning of God's word, Eve's addition to and misquotation of God's command, and Adam's passive participation demonstrate the progression from doubt to disobedience to disaster.<br...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 9-13**
Observe the startling question, Adam, where art thou? Those who by sin go astray from God, should seriously consider where they are; they are afar off from all good, in the midst of their enemies, in bondage to Satan, and in the high road to utter ruin. This lost sheep had wandered without end, if the good Shepherd had not sought after him, and told him, that where he was stray...
Read full commentary →And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid mysel...</strong> This chapter narrates humanity's tragic fall from innocence through temptation, sin, and divine judgment. The serpent's subtle questioning of God's word, Eve's addition to and misquotation of God's command, and Adam's passive participation demonstrate the progression from doubt ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4. Ye shall not surely die--**He proceeded, not only to assure her of perfect impunity, but to promise great benefits from partaking of it.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 9-13**
Observe the startling question, Adam, where art thou? Those who by sin go astray from God, should seriously consider where they are; they are afar off from all good, in the midst of their enemies, in bondage to Satan, and in the high road to utter ruin. This lost sheep had wandered without end, if the good Shepherd had not sought after him, and told him, that where he was stray...
Read full commentary →And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded th...</strong> This chapter narrates humanity's tragic fall from innocence through temptation, sin, and divine judgment. The serpent's subtle questioning of God's word, Eve's addition to and misquotation of God's command, and Adam's passive participation demonstrate the progression from doubt ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **Who told thee that thou wast naked?**—Adam had given as his excuse that which was really the consequence of his sin; but by this question God awakens his conscience, and makes him feel that what he had described as a want or imperfection was really the result of his own act. And as long as a man feels sorrow only for the results of his actions there is no repentance, and no wish to return t...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**5. your eyes shall be opened--**His words meant more than met the ear. In one sense her eyes were opened; for she acquired a direful experience of "good and evil"--of the happiness of a holy, and the misery of a sinful, condition. But he studiously concealed this result from Eve, who, fired with a generous desire for knowledge, thought only of rising to the rank and privileges of her angelic vis...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 9-13**
Observe the startling question, Adam, where art thou? Those who by sin go astray from God, should seriously consider where they are; they are afar off from all good, in the midst of their enemies, in bondage to Satan, and in the high road to utter ruin. This lost sheep had wandered without end, if the good Shepherd had not sought after him, and told him, that where he was stray...
Read full commentary →And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat....</strong> This chapter narrates humanity's tragic fall from innocence through temptation, sin, and divine judgment. The serpent's subtle questioning of God's word, Eve's addition to and misquotation of God's command, and Adam's passive participation demonstrate the progression from doubt t...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12, 13) **She gave me . . . —**There is again in Adam the same passiveness which we noticed on Genesis 3:6. He has little sense of responsibility, and no feeling that he had a duty towards Eve, and ought to have watched over her, and helped her when tempted. It is a mistake to suppose that he wished to shift the blame, first upon Eve, and then upon God, who had given her to him; rather, he recapi...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Ge 3:6-9. The Fall.
**6. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food--**Her imagination and feelings were completely won; and the fall of Eve was soon followed by that of Adam. The history of every temptation, and of every sin, is the same; the outward object of attraction, the inward commotion of mind, the increase and triumph of passionate desire; ending in the degradation, slavery, ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 9-13**
Observe the startling question, Adam, where art thou? Those who by sin go astray from God, should seriously consider where they are; they are afar off from all good, in the midst of their enemies, in bondage to Satan, and in the high road to utter ruin. This lost sheep had wandered without end, if the good Shepherd had not sought after him, and told him, that where he was stray...
Read full commentary →And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serp...</strong> This chapter narrates humanity's tragic fall from innocence through temptation, sin, and divine judgment. The serpent's subtle questioning of God's word, Eve's addition to and misquotation of God's command, and Adam's passive participation demonstrate the progression from doubt ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 9-13**
Observe the startling question, Adam, where art thou? Those who by sin go astray from God, should seriously consider where they are; they are afar off from all good, in the midst of their enemies, in bondage to Satan, and in the high road to utter ruin. This lost sheep had wandered without end, if the good Shepherd had not sought after him, and told him, that where he was stray...
Read full commentary →The Curse and the Promise
And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattl...</strong> This chapter narrates humanity's tragic fall from innocence through temptation, sin, and divine judgment. The serpent's subtle questioning of God's word, Eve's addition to and misquotation of God's command, and Adam's passive participation demonstrate the progression from doubt ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14, 15) **Unto the serpent.**—As the serpent had tempted our first parents purposely and consciously in order to lead them into sin, he stood there without excuse, and received a threefold penalty. The outward form of the condemnation is made suitable to the shape which the tempter had assumed; but the true force and meaning, especially in the last and most intense portion of the sentence, belong...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8. they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden--**The divine Being appeared in the same manner as formerly--uttering the well-known tones of kindness, walking in some visible form (not running hastily, as one impelled by the influence of angry feelings). How beautifully expressive are these words of the familiar and condescending manner in which He had hitherto held intercourse wi...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 14-15**
God passes sentence; and he begins where the sin began, with the serpent. The devil's instruments must share in the devil's punishments. Under the cover of the serpent, the devil is sentenced to be degraded and accursed of God; detested and abhorred of all mankind: also to be destroyed and ruined at last by the great Redeemer, signified by the breaking of his head. War is proc...
Read full commentary →And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.</strong> This verse, known as the <em>proto-evangelium</em> (first gospel), contains the earliest promise of redemption. Speaking to the serpent, God declares perpetual conflict between Satan's offspring (those who follow evil) and the woman's offsp...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 14-15**
God passes sentence; and he begins where the sin began, with the serpent. The devil's instruments must share in the devil's punishments. Under the cover of the serpent, the devil is sentenced to be degraded and accursed of God; detested and abhorred of all mankind: also to be destroyed and ruined at last by the great Redeemer, signified by the breaking of his head. War is proc...
Read full commentary →Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. to thy: or, subject to thy husband
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt ...</strong> This chapter narrates humanity's tragic fall from innocence through temptation, sin, and divine judgment. The serpent's subtle questioning of God's word, Eve's addition to and misquotation of God's command, and Adam's passive participation demonstrate the progression from doubt ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(16) **Unto the woman he said.**—The woman is not cursed as the serpent was, but punished as next in guilt; and the retribution is twofold. First, God greatly multiplies “her sorrow and her conception,” that is, her sorrow generally, but especially in connection with pregnancy, when with anguish and peril of life she wins the joy of bringing a man into the world. But also “thy desire shall be to t...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Ge 3:10-13. The Examination.
**10. afraid, because ... naked--**apparently, a confession--the language of sorrow; but it was evasive--no signs of true humility and penitence--each tries to throw the blame on another.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-19**
The woman, for her sin, is condemned to a state of sorrow, and of subjection; proper punishments of that sin, in which she had sought to gratify the desire of her eye, and of the flesh, and her pride. Sin brought sorrow into the world; that made the world a vale of tears. No wonder our sorrows are multiplied, when our sins are so. He shall rule over thee, is but God's command,...
Read full commentary →And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the...</strong> This chapter narrates humanity's tragic fall from innocence through temptation, sin, and divine judgment. The serpent's subtle questioning of God's word, Eve's addition to and misquotation of God's command, and Adam's passive participation demonstrate the progression from doubt ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(17, 18) **Unto Adam (without the article, and therefore a proper name) he said.—**Lange thoughtfully remarks that while the woman was punished by the entrance of sorrow into the small subjective world of her womanly calling, man is punished by the derangement of the great objective world over which he was to have dominion. Instead of protecting his wife and shielding her from evil, he had passive...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-19**
The woman, for her sin, is condemned to a state of sorrow, and of subjection; proper punishments of that sin, in which she had sought to gratify the desire of her eye, and of the flesh, and her pride. Sin brought sorrow into the world; that made the world a vale of tears. No wonder our sorrows are multiplied, when our sins are so. He shall rule over thee, is but God's command,...
Read full commentary →Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; bring: Heb. cause to bud
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;...</strong> This chapter narrates humanity's tragic fall from innocence through temptation, sin, and divine judgment. The serpent's subtle questioning of God's word, Eve's addition to and misquotation of God's command, and Adam's passive participation demonstrate the progression from doubt to d...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12. The woman ... gave me--**He blames God [Calvin]. As the woman had been given him for his companion and help, he had eaten of the tree from love to her; and perceiving she was ruined, was determined not to survive her [M'knight].
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-19**
The woman, for her sin, is condemned to a state of sorrow, and of subjection; proper punishments of that sin, in which she had sought to gratify the desire of her eye, and of the flesh, and her pride. Sin brought sorrow into the world; that made the world a vale of tears. No wonder our sorrows are multiplied, when our sins are so. He shall rule over thee, is but God's command,...
Read full commentary →In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast ...</strong> This chapter narrates humanity's tragic fall from innocence through temptation, sin, and divine judgment. The serpent's subtle questioning of God's word, Eve's addition to and misquotation of God's command, and Adam's passive participation demonstrate the progression from doubt ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(19) **Dust thou art . . . —**It appears from this that death was man’s normal condition. A spiritual being is eternal by its own constitution, but the argument by which Bishop Butler proves the soul to be immortal equally proves the mortality of the body. Death, he says, is the division of a compound substance into its component parts; but as the soul is a simple substance, and incapable of divis...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**13. beguiled--**cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-19**
The woman, for her sin, is condemned to a state of sorrow, and of subjection; proper punishments of that sin, in which she had sought to gratify the desire of her eye, and of the flesh, and her pride. Sin brought sorrow into the world; that made the world a vale of tears. No wonder our sorrows are multiplied, when our sins are so. He shall rule over thee, is but God's command,...
Read full commentary →And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living. Eve: Heb. Chavah: that is Living
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living....</strong> This chapter narrates humanity's tragic fall from innocence through temptation, sin, and divine judgment. The serpent's subtle questioning of God's word, Eve's addition to and misquotation of God's command, and Adam's passive participation demonstrate the progression from doubt to disobedience to dis...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(20) **Adam called his wife’s name Eve.**—Heb., *Chavvah; *in Greek, *Zoë. *It has been debated whether this name is a substantive, *Life *(LXX.), or a participle, *Life-producer *(Symm). Adam’s condition was now one of death, but his wife thereby attained a higher value in his sight. Through her alone could human life be continued, and the “woman’s seed” be obtained who was to raise up man from h...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Ge 3:14-24. The Sentence.
**14. And the Lord God said unto the serpent--**The Judge pronounces a doom: first, on the material serpent, which is cursed above all creatures. From being a model of grace and elegance in form, it has become the type of all that is odious, disgusting, and low [Le CLERC, Rosenmuller]; or the curse has converted its natural condition into a punishment; it is now branded ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 20-21**
God named the man, and called him Adam, which signifies red earth; Adam named the woman, and called her Eve, that is, life. Adam bears the name of the dying body, Eve of the living soul. Adam probably had regard to the blessing of a Redeemer, the promised Seed, in calling his wife Eve, or life; for He should be the life of all believers, and in Him all the families of the eart...
Read full commentary →Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them....</strong> This chapter narrates humanity's tragic fall from innocence through temptation, sin, and divine judgment. The serpent's subtle questioning of God's word, Eve's addition to and misquotation of God's command, and Adam's passive participation demonstrate the progression from doubt to disobedienc...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(21) **Coats of skins.**—Animals, therefore, were killed even in Paradise; nor is it certain that man’s diet was until the flood entirely vegetarian (see Note on Genesis 1:29). Until sin entered the world no sacrifices could have been offered; and if, therefore, these were the skins of animals offered in sacrifice, as many suppose, Adam must in some way, immediately after the fall, have been taugh...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**15. thy seed--**not only evil spirits, but wicked men.
**seed of the woman--**the Messiah, or His Church [Calvin, Hengstenberg].
**I will put enmity between thee and the woman--**God can only be said to do so by leaving "the serpent and his seed to the influence of their own corruption; and by those measures which, pursued for the salvation of men, fill Satan and his angels with envy and rag...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 20-21**
God named the man, and called him Adam, which signifies red earth; Adam named the woman, and called her Eve, that is, life. Adam bears the name of the dying body, Eve of the living soul. Adam probably had regard to the blessing of a Redeemer, the promised Seed, in calling his wife Eve, or life; for He should be the life of all believers, and in Him all the families of the eart...
Read full commentary →And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest ...</strong> This chapter narrates humanity's tragic fall from innocence through temptation, sin, and divine judgment. The serpent's subtle questioning of God's word, Eve's addition to and misquotation of God's command, and Adam's passive participation demonstrate the progression from doubt ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(22) **As one of us.**—See Note on Genesis 1:26. By the fall man had sunk morally, but grown mentally. He had asserted his independence, had exercised the right of choosing for himself, and had attained to a knowledge without which his endowment of free-will would have remained in abeyance. There is something painful and humiliating in the idea of Chrysostom and other Fathers that the Deity was sp...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**16. unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow--**She was doomed as a wife and mother to suffer pain of body and distress of mind. From being the help meet of man and the partner of his affections [Ge 2:18, 23], her condition would henceforth be that of humble subjection.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 22-24**
God bid man go out; told him he should no longer occupy and enjoy that garden: but man liked the place, and was unwilling to leave it, therefore God made him go out. This signified the shutting out of him, and all his guilty race, from that communion with God, which was the bliss and glory of paradise. But man was only sent to till the ground out of which he was taken. He was ...
Read full commentary →Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was...</strong> This chapter narrates humanity's tragic fall from innocence through temptation, sin, and divine judgment. The serpent's subtle questioning of God's word, Eve's addition to and misquotation of God's command, and Adam's passive participation demonstrate the progression from doubt ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(23) **To till the ground.**—This is the same word as that rendered “dress” in Genesis 2:15. Adam’s task is the same, but the conditions are altered.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17-19. unto Adam he said--**made to gain his livelihood by tilling the ground; but what before his fall he did with ease and pleasure, was not to be accomplished after it without painful and persevering exertion.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 22-24**
God bid man go out; told him he should no longer occupy and enjoy that garden: but man liked the place, and was unwilling to leave it, therefore God made him go out. This signified the shutting out of him, and all his guilty race, from that communion with God, which was the bliss and glory of paradise. But man was only sent to till the ground out of which he was taken. He was ...
Read full commentary →So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sw...</strong> This chapter narrates humanity's tragic fall from innocence through temptation, sin, and divine judgment. The serpent's subtle questioning of God's word, Eve's addition to and misquotation of God's command, and Adam's passive participation demonstrate the progression from doubt ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(24) **So he drove out the man.**—This implies displeasure and compulsion. Adam departed unwillingly from his happy home, and with the consciousness that he had incurred the Divine anger. It was the consequence of his sin, and was a punishment, even if necessary for his good under the changed circumstances produced by his disobedience. On the duration of Adam’s stay in Paradise, see *Excursus *at ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17-19. unto Adam he said--**made to gain his livelihood by tilling the ground; but what before his fall he did with ease and pleasure, was not to be accomplished after it without painful and persevering exertion.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 22-24**
God bid man go out; told him he should no longer occupy and enjoy that garden: but man liked the place, and was unwilling to leave it, therefore God made him go out. This signified the shutting out of him, and all his guilty race, from that communion with God, which was the bliss and glory of paradise. But man was only sent to till the ground out of which he was taken. He was ...
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