Genesis 3:1-7

The Fall of Man

1 Now ¹the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Indeed *, has God said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden '?"

2 The woman said to the serpent, "²From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat;

3 but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.' "

4 ³The serpent said to the woman, "You surely will not die!

5 "For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and ⁴you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

6 ⁵When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.

7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they ⁶knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.

Genesis 3:1-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 3

In this chapter an account is given of the temptation of our first parents, of the instrument of it, and of their fall into it, and of the effect of it, Ge 3:1-7 their summons upon it to appear before God, against whom they had sinned, Ge 3:8-10 their examination by him, and the excuses they made, Ge 3:11-13 the various sentences passed of the serpent, the woman, and the man, Ge 3:14-19 some incidental things recorded, expressive of faith and hope in man, and of favour to him, Ge 3:20,21 and his expulsion from the garden of Eden, Ge 3:22-24.

Cross References

• 1. 2 Corinthians 11:3; Revelation 12:9; Revelation 20:2
• 2. Genesis 2:16, 17
• 3. John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 11:3
• 4. Isaiah 14:14; Ezek 28:2, 12-17
• 5. Romans 5:12-19; 1 Timothy 2:14; James 1:14, 15; 1 John 2:16
• 6. Isaiah 47:3; Lamentations 1:8

Footnotes

• [a] Or "every"
• [b] Or "girdles"