Devine Scripture

Genesis 3:19

What does Genesis 3:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 3:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 3:19 means

This verse emphasizes the physical hardship Adam will endure, stating he will eat bread "in the sweat of thy face" until he returns to the dust from which he was formed. This directly connects the toil for sustenance with the ultimate consequence of physical death. Humanity's temporary existence and return to dust underscore the severe and comprehensive nature of sin's penalty, fulfilling God's original warning.

Genesis 3:19 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

in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

With the hard work of your hands you will get your bread till you go back to the earth from which you were taken: for dust you are and to the dust you will go back.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

by the sweat of thy face thou dost eat bread till thy return unto the ground, for out of it hast thou been taken, for dust thou <FI>art<Fi> , and unto dust thou turnest back.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread till thou return to the earth out of which thou wast taken: for dust thou art, and into dust thou shalt return.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, until thou return to the ground: for out of it wast thou taken. For dust thou art; and unto dust shalt thou return.

Context

This verse culminates the description of Adam's judgment, bringing together the themes of laborious toil and mortality. It follows the specifics of the cursed ground and precedes the naming of Eve, a brief moment of hope amidst the judgment. This emphasis on physical death and return to dust is a stark reminder of the full consequences of their disobedience, preparing for God's provision and their expulsion from Eden.

v.18thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

v.19This passage

v.20And the man called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:9

    For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

  • Job 17:13

    If I look for Sheol as my house; If I have spread my couch in the darkness;

  • Psalms 104:29

    Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled; Thou takest away their breath, they die, And return to their dust.

  • Genesis 23:4

    I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a burying-place with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.

  • Ephesians 4:28

    Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have whereof to give to him that hath need.

  • Ecclesiastes 5:15

    As he came forth from his mother’s womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.

Sermon ideas from Genesis 3:19

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

  • What Genesis 3:19 teaches us about temptation

  • What Genesis 3:19 teaches us about sin and shame

  • What Genesis 3:19 teaches us about the protoevangelium

  • What Genesis 3:19 teaches us about god's mercy in judgment

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