Devine Scripture

Genesis 3:1

What does Genesis 3:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 3:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 3:1 means

This verse introduces the serpent, a creature characterized by cunning, who initiates a deceptive conversation with the woman. The serpent's opening question subtly casts doubt on God's clear command regarding eating from *any* tree in the garden, aiming to undermine God's authority and integrity. This marks the beginning of temptation, not as a direct command to sin, but as an insinuation that God is withholding something good from humanity.

Genesis 3:1 in context

Genesis 3 — The Fall of Man

Into the garden of the previous chapter comes the serpent, more subtle than any beast of the field. He casts doubt on God's word, then on God's goodness, and at last persuades the woman that the way to be like God is to disobey him. Adam, present and silent, eats with her. Innocence collapses into shame; communion with God gives way to hiding; the man blames the woman, the woman blames the serpent, and creation itself is cursed. Yet at the very moment of judgment a promise is given: the seed of the woman will crush the serpent's head (3:15). It is the gospel in seed form.

  • Temptation
  • Sin and shame
  • The protoevangelium
  • God's mercy in judgment

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which Jehovah God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of any tree of the garden?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which Jehovah God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of any tree of the garden?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now the snake was wiser than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, Has God truly said that you may not take of the fruit of any tree in the garden?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the serpent hath been subtile above every beast of the field which Jehovah God hath made, and he saith unto the woman, `Is it true that God hath said, Ye do not eat of every tree of the garden?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now the serpent was more subtle than any of the beasts of the earth which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman: Why hath God commanded you, that you should not eat of every tree of paradise?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the serpent was more crafty than any animal of the field which Jehovah Elohim had made. And it said to the woman, Is it even so, thatGod has said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

Context

This verse sets the stage for the pivotal event of humanity's fall. Before this, Genesis chapters 1 and 2 describe creation and the establishment of the Garden of Eden, with God's clear instructions regarding the forbidden tree. The serpent's arrival and direct address to the woman immediately introduce the element of temptation and the first challenge to God's word, leading directly into the ensuing dialogue and transgression.

v.1This passage

v.2And the woman said unto the serpent, Of the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Isaiah 27:1

    In that day Jehovah with his hard and great and strong sword will punish leviathan the swift serpent, and leviathan the crooked serpent; and he will slay the monster that is in the sea.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:3

    But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ.

  • Revelation 12:9

    And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him.

  • Revelation 20:2

    And he laid hold on the dragon, the old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years,

  • Matthew 4:9

    and he said unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

  • Matthew 10:16

    Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Sermon ideas from Genesis 3:1

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What Genesis 3:1 teaches us about temptation

  • What Genesis 3:1 teaches us about sin and shame

  • What Genesis 3:1 teaches us about the protoevangelium

  • What Genesis 3:1 teaches us about god's mercy in judgment

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