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Genesis 3

ScriptureDepth's study of Genesis 3

“Yahweh God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand, and also take of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever—”

Genesis 3:22

Yahweh God speaks to himself about the man's newfound knowledge of good and evil, which leads to the decision to expel Adam from 'the garden of Eden'.

What Genesis 3 is about

Genesis chapter 3 recounts the moment of humanity's disobedience to God, often referred to as the Fall. The chapter begins with the serpent tempting Eve by questioning God's command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Eve, persuaded by the serpent's cunning words, eats the fruit and also gives it to Adam, who willingly eats as well.

This act of disobedience leads to an immediate loss of innocence, as they realize their nakedness and attempt to hide from God. The consequences of their actions unfold as God confronts Adam and Eve, leading to curses upon the serpent, the woman, and the man, and ultimately, expulsion from the Garden of Eden, which symbolizes a severed relationship with God.

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Genesis 3 at a glance

  1. Genesis 3:1–5The Temptation of Eve
  2. Genesis 3:6–7The First Disobedience
  3. Genesis 3:8–10Hiding from God
  4. Genesis 3:11–13The Confrontation
  5. Genesis 3:14–19The Consequences Declared
  6. Genesis 3:20–21The Naming of Eve
  7. Genesis 3:22–24Expulsion from Eden

Key verse: Genesis 3:22

One thing to notice

The serpent begins the conversation in verse 1 by questioning God's command, saying, 'Has God really said, ‘You shall not eat of any tree of the garden?’' This initiates the temptation narrative, focusing on doubt and deception. The woman's response in verses 2-3 reiterates the command, showing her initial understanding of God's instruction.

Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.

Chapter text

Read Genesis 3 (WEB)

The Temptation of Eve Genesis 3:1–5

Verse 1. Now the serpent was more subtle than any animal of the field which Yahweh God had made. He said to the woman, “Has God really said, ‘You shall not eat of any tree of the garden?’” Verse 2. The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees of the garden, Verse 3. but not the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden. God has said, ‘You shall not eat of it. You shall not touch it, lest you die.’” Verse 4. The serpent said to the woman, “You won’t really die, Verse 5. for God knows that in the day you eat it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

The First Disobedience Genesis 3:6–7

Verse 6. When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took some of its fruit, and ate; and she gave some to her husband with her, and he ate it, too. Verse 7. Their eyes were opened, and they both knew that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together, and made coverings for themselves.

Hiding from God Genesis 3:8–10

Verse 8. They heard Yahweh God’s voice walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of Yahweh God among the trees of the garden. Verse 9. Yahweh God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” Verse 10. The man said, “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.”

The Confrontation Genesis 3:11–13

Verse 11. God said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” Verse 12. The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Verse 13. Yahweh God said to the woman, “What have you done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

The Consequences Declared Genesis 3:14–19

Verse 14. Yahweh God said to the serpent,“Because you have done this,you are cursed above all livestock,and above every animal of the field.You shall go on your bellyand you shall eat dust all the days of your life.Verse 15. I will put hostility between you and the woman,and between your offspring and her offspring.He will bruise your head,and you will bruise his heel.”Verse 16. To the woman he said,“I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth.In pain you will bear children.Your desire will be for your husband,and he will rule over you.”Verse 17. To Adam he said,“Because you have listened to your wife’s voice,and ate from the tree,about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it,’the ground is cursed for your sake.You will eat from it with much labor all the days of your life.Verse 18. It will yield thorns and thistles to you;and you will eat the herb of the field.Verse 19. By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground,for out of it you were taken.For you are dust,and to dust you shall return.”

The Naming of Eve Genesis 3:20–21

Verse 20. The man called his wife Eve because she would be the mother of all the living. Verse 21. Yahweh God made coats of animal skins for Adam and for his wife, and clothed them.

Expulsion from Eden Genesis 3:22–24

Verse 22. Yahweh God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand, and also take of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever—” Verse 23. Therefore Yahweh God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he was taken. Verse 24. So he drove out the man; and he placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

World English Bible (public domain)

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Main themes in Genesis 3

Sin and Disobedience

The serpent tempts Eve in v. 4, saying, 'You won’t really die,' contradicting God's command. The act of eating the forbidden fruit in v. 6, where Eve takes some and gives it to Adam, marks the first disobedience against God's direct instruction. This disobedience leads to their awareness of nakedness in v. 7, introducing the concept of sin into their lives.

The Consequences of Sin

In vv. 14-19, God outlines the consequences of the disobedience. The serpent is cursed in v. 14, and Eve is told she will experience pain in childbirth in v. 16. Adam learns that the ground is cursed for his sake in v. 17, leading to toil for sustenance, which signifies the far-reaching effects of their actions.

Human Responsibility

When confronted by God in vv. 11-13, Adam shifts blame to Eve, saying, 'The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it.' Eve likewise blames the serpent for her actions. This exchange illustrates the theme of human responsibility, as both characters fail to accept accountability for their choices.

Redemption and Hope

Despite declaring the consequences in vv. 14-19, God provides a glimmer of hope in v. 15, stating that the woman's offspring will eventually bruise the serpent's head. This promise hints at future redemption. Additionally, in v. 21, God makes garments for Adam and Eve, which signifies a continuation of divine care even in the aftermath of their failure.

Chapter outline

How Genesis 3 unfolds

  1. Genesis 3:1–5 The Temptation of Eve

    The serpent questions God's command regarding the forbidden tree, misleading Eve by claiming she will not die, but will gain wisdom and be like God (vv. 1-5).

  2. Genesis 3:6–7 The First Disobedience

    Eve sees the fruit as desirable and eats it, giving some to Adam, resulting in their first act of disobedience by consuming the forbidden fruit (vv. 6-7).

  3. Genesis 3:8–10 Hiding from God

    After eating, Adam and Eve hear Yahweh God's voice and hide among the trees in fear. Adam responds to God's call, saying, 'I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself' (vv. 8-10).

  4. Genesis 3:11–13 The Confrontation

    God questions Adam about his actions, and Adam shifts blame to Eve, while Eve blames the serpent for her deception, highlighting a breakdown in responsibility (vv. 11-13).

  5. Genesis 3:14–19 The Consequences Declared

    God pronounces curses on the serpent, woman, and man, detailing the consequences of their disobedience, including pain in childbirth and laborious toil for food (vv. 14-19).

  6. Genesis 3:20–21 The Naming of Eve

    Adam names his wife Eve, stating she would be 'the mother of all the living.' Yahweh God makes coats of animal skins for them and provides clothing (vv. 20-21).

  7. Genesis 3:22–24 Expulsion from Eden

    God expels Adam and Eve from Eden to prevent them from eating from the tree of life, placing cherubim to guard the garden (vv. 22-24).

Key verses

  • Genesis 3:22Yahweh God speaks to himself about the man's newfound knowledge of good and evil, which leads to the decision to expel Adam from 'the garden of Eden'.

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Study questions

Questions for studying Genesis 3

SummarizeObserveInterpretApply

Uses your daily Ask questions.

  1. observeIn v6, what does Eve see that persuades her to eat the fruit?
  2. observeIn vv. 12-13, how do Adam and Eve respond to God's questions about their actions?
  3. interpretThe serpent's claim in v5: how does it challenge God's authority and knowledge?
  4. interpretGod's question to Adam in v11: what is implied about knowledge and responsibility?
  5. applyWhen have you felt exposed and tried to hide from others like Adam and Eve?

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Genesis 3: frequently asked questions

What is Genesis 3 about?+
Genesis chapter 3 recounts the moment of humanity's disobedience to God, often referred to as the Fall. The chapter begins with the serpent tempting Eve by questioning God's command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
What is the key verse in Genesis 3?+
Genesis 3:22: “Yahweh God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand, and also take of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever—”
What are the main themes of Genesis 3?+
The main themes of Genesis 3 are Sin and Disobedience, The Consequences of Sin, Human Responsibility, Redemption and Hope.

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Study Notes