Devine Scripture

Genesis 3:10

What does Genesis 3:10 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 3:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 3:10 means

Adam responds to God by admitting his fear, directly linking it to his newly perceived nakedness, and confessing that this fear led him to hide. While he acknowledges the symptoms of his sin (fear and hiding), he has not yet confessed the root cause—his disobedience. This answer reveals the immediate psychological impact of sin: a sense of vulnerability and a desire to escape God's presence, rather than seek His mercy.

Genesis 3:10 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

And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said, Hearing your voice in the garden I was full of fear, because I was without clothing: and I kept myself from your eyes.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he saith, `Thy sound I have heard in the garden, and I am afraid, for I am naked, and I hide myself.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he said: I heard thy voice in paradise; and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I feared, because I am naked; and I hid myself.

Context

This verse presents Adam's immediate answer to God's question, "Where art thou?" It follows God's merciful inquiry and precedes God's probing question about the forbidden tree. Adam's response confirms his state of fear and nakedness but falls short of full confession, setting the stage for God's more pointed questions that aim to uncover the true nature of their transgression.

v.9And Jehovah God called unto the man, and said unto him, Where art thou?

v.10This passage

v.11And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

Cross references

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

  • Exodus 3:6

    Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.

  • Isaiah 57:11

    And of whom hast thou been afraid and in fear, that thou liest, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of long time, and thou fearest me not?

  • Exodus 32:25

    And when Moses saw that the people were broken loose, (for Aaron had let them loose for a derision among their enemies,)

  • Revelation 16:15

    (Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.)

  • Psalms 119:120

    My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; And I am afraid of thy judgments. ע AYIN.

  • Job 23:15

    Therefore am I terrified at his presence; When I consider, I am afraid of him.

Sermon ideas from Genesis 3:10

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

  • What Genesis 3:10 teaches us about temptation

  • What Genesis 3:10 teaches us about sin and shame

  • What Genesis 3:10 teaches us about the protoevangelium

  • What Genesis 3:10 teaches us about god's mercy in judgment

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