Genesis 3:1-10

1 Now the snake was the most cunning animal that the Lord God had made. The snake asked the woman, "Did God really tell you not to eat fruit from any tree in the garden?" 1
2 "We may eat the fruit of any tree in the garden," the woman answered,
3 "except the tree in the middle of it. God told us not to eat the fruit of that tree or even touch it; if we do, we will die."
4 The snake replied, "That's not true; you will not die.
5 God said that because he knows that when you eat it, you will be like God and know what is good and what is bad."
6 The woman saw how beautiful the tree was and how good its fruit would be to eat, and she thought how wonderful it would be to become wise. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, and he also ate it.
7 As soon as they had eaten it, they were given understanding and realized that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and covered themselves.
8 That evening they heard the Lord God walking in the garden, and they hid from him among the trees.
9 But the Lord God called out to the man, "Where are you?"
10 He answered, "I heard you in the garden; I was afraid and hid from you, because I was naked."

Genesis 3:1-10 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

  • 1. 3.1 +2Wisdom 2.24; +1Revelation 12.9; 20.2.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. God; [or] the gods.
  • [b]. know what is good and what is bad; [or] know everything.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.