Devine Scripture

Genesis 3:12

What does Genesis 3:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 3:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 3:12 means

Adam attempts to deflect blame by pointing to the woman, and even indirectly, to God Himself ("The woman whom thou gavest to be with me"). He admits to eating the fruit but frames it as a consequence of the woman's actions, whom God provided. This response exemplifies the human tendency to avoid personal responsibility for sin, instead seeking to blame others or even God for one's own choices, characteristic of humanity's fallen state.

Genesis 3:12 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 the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the man said, The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me the fruit of the tree and I took it.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the man saith, `The woman whom Thou didst place with me--she hath given to me of the tree--and I do eat.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Adam said: The woman, whom thou gavest me to be my companion, gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Man said, The woman, whom thou hast given [to be] with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.

Context

This verse is Adam's direct response to God's accusation about eating the forbidden fruit. It follows God's pointed inquiry and marks the first instance of blame-shifting in human history. Adam's refusal to take full responsibility then leads to God's similar confrontation with the woman, extending the chain of accountability and setting up her own defensive response.

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?

v.12This passage

v.13And Jehovah God said unto the woman, What is this thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

Cross references

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

  • Romans 10:3

    For being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.

  • James 1:13

    Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man:

  • Exodus 32:21

    And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought a great sin upon them?

  • Proverbs 19:3

    The foolishness of man subverteth his way; And his heart fretteth against Jehovah.

  • Proverbs 28:13

    He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper; But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.

  • Genesis 2:22

    and the rib, which Jehovah God had taken from the man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

Sermon ideas from Genesis 3:12

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

  • What Genesis 3:12 teaches us about temptation

  • What Genesis 3:12 teaches us about sin and shame

  • What Genesis 3:12 teaches us about the protoevangelium

  • What Genesis 3:12 teaches us about god's mercy in judgment

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