Genesis 3:1-6

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.

Genesis 3:1-6 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 5

  • 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

Footnotes 1

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California.  All rights reserved.