King James Version

What Does Genesis 3:6 Mean?

Genesis 3:6 in the King James Version says “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 t...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Genesis 3:6 · KJV

Context

4

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

5

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.

6

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

7

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

8

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

Read Genesis 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a ... 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.

The consequences affect every dimension of human existence: spiritual death (separation from God), physical death (mortality), relational dysfunction (shame, blame, conflict), vocational difficulty (cursed ground, painful labor), and cosmic disruption (groaning creation). Yet within the curses, God provides gracious provisions: proto-evangelium promise of redemption, clothing to cover shame, and preservation of life despite deserved death.

Theologically, this chapter establishes the origin and nature of sin, the reality of Satan's activity, the universality of human fallenness, the justice of divine judgment, and the necessity of redemption. Understanding the fall illuminates why the world contains suffering and evil, why humans rebel against God, why salvation requires divine intervention, and how Christ as the second Adam reverses the first Adam's failure (Romans 5:12-21, 1 Corinthians 15:22, 45).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The serpent in Genesis 3 reflects ancient Near Eastern associations between serpents and chaos, evil, or deceptive wisdom. Unlike pagan myths where serpents might be deified, Genesis presents the serpent as a mere creature, though Satan's instrument (Revelation 12:9, 20:2). Ancient curse formulas from various cultures parallel God's pronouncements, but Genesis uniquely embeds redemptive promise within judgment.

The agricultural curses (thorns, sweat, difficult labor) would have resonated deeply with ancient subsistence farmers for whom crop failure meant starvation. The pain in childbearing acknowledges a universal female experience that ancient cultures attributed to various causes, but Genesis traces it to sin's consequences rather than divine cruelty or inherent evil in creation or sexuality.

Archaeological evidence of humanity's ancient struggles with agriculture, disease, death, and violence aligns with Genesis's portrayal of a fallen world. Ancient wisdom literature from Mesopotamia and Egypt grappled with suffering's origins, but Genesis alone provides the theological explanation: human rebellion against God brought cosmic corruption. This account would have answered Israelite questions about why their promised land required hard labor, why they suffered pain and death, and why they needed redemption.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַתֵּ֣רֶא1 of 21

“saw”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

הָֽאִשָּׁ֡ה2 of 21

“And when the woman”

H802

a woman

כִּ֣י3 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

טוֹב֩4 of 21

“was good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

הָעֵץ֙5 of 21

“and a tree”

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

לְמַֽאֲכָ֜ל6 of 21

“for food”

H3978

an eatable (including provender, flesh and fruit)

וְכִ֧י7 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

תַֽאֲוָה8 of 21

“to be desired”

H8378

a longing; by implication, a delight (subjectively, satisfaction, objectively, a charm)

ה֣וּא9 of 21

“and that it”

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

לָֽעֵינַ֗יִם10 of 21

“to the eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וְנֶחְמָ֤ד11 of 21

“was pleasant”

H2530

to delight in

הָעֵץ֙12 of 21

“and a tree”

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

לְהַשְׂכִּ֔יל13 of 21

“to make one wise”

H7919

to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent

וַתִּקַּ֥ח14 of 21

“she took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מִפִּרְי֖וֹ15 of 21

“of the fruit thereof”

H6529

fruit (literally or figuratively)

וַיֹּאכַֽל׃16 of 21

“and did eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וַתִּתֵּ֧ן17 of 21

“and gave”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

גַּם18 of 21

“also”

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

לְאִישָׁ֛הּ19 of 21
H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

עִמָּ֖הּ20 of 21
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

וַיֹּאכַֽל׃21 of 21

“and did eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 3:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 3:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 John 2:16James 1:14-151 Timothy 2:142 Samuel 11:2Joshua 7:21Romans 5:12-19

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