Devine Scripture

Genesis 3:15

What does Genesis 3:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 3:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 3:15 means

This profound verse contains the protoevangelium, the first Gospel promise. God declares ongoing hostility between the serpent and the woman, and between their respective "seed." Crucially, it foretells that the woman's "seed" (Christ) will ultimately bruise the serpent's (Satan's) head, a fatal blow, though the serpent will bruise His heel (a wound, but not fatal). This points forward to Jesus' victory over sin and Satan on the cross.

Genesis 3:15 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 I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And there will be war between you and the woman and between your seed and her seed: by him will your head be crushed and by you his foot will be wounded.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and enmity I put between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; he doth bruise thee--the head, and thou dost bruise him--the heel.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

I will put enmities between thee and the woman, and thy seed and her seed: she shall crush thy head, and thou shalt lie in wait for her heel.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; he shall crush thy head, and thou shalt crush his heel.

Context

This verse immediately follows the physical curse upon the serpent. It expands upon the judgment, shifting from physical degradation to a spiritual conflict. This prophetic declaration of enmity and the promise of a future deliverer is a critical theological turning point, offering hope amidst the judgment before God turns to pronounce the specific consequences upon the woman and the man.

v.14And Jehovah God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, cursed art thou above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

v.15This passage

v.16Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy pain and thy conception; in pain thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 13:7

    And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.

  • Luke 22:53

    When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched not forth your hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

  • Amos 9:3

    And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and it shall bite them.

  • Genesis 49:17

    Dan shall be a serpent in the way, An adder in the path, That biteth the horse’s heels, So that his rider falleth backward.

  • Ephesians 4:8

    Wherefore he saith, When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, And gave gifts unto men.

  • Luke 10:19

    Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you.

Sermon ideas from Genesis 3:15

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

  • What Genesis 3:15 teaches us about temptation

  • What Genesis 3:15 teaches us about sin and shame

  • What Genesis 3:15 teaches us about the protoevangelium

  • What Genesis 3:15 teaches us about god's mercy in judgment

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