Devine Scripture

Genesis 3:20

What does Genesis 3:20 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 3:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 3:20 means

Amidst the pronouncements of judgment and death, Adam names his wife "Eve," meaning "mother of all living." This act demonstrates a profound faith in God's earlier promise that her seed would ultimately bruise the serpent's head, implying a future beyond the immediate curse of death. It signifies hope in the continuation of humanity and God's plan, despite their fallen state, anticipating future generations.

Genesis 3:20 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 called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the man gave his wife the name of Eve because she was the mother of all who have life.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the man calleth his wife's name Eve: for she hath been mother of all living.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Adam called the name of his wife Eve: because she was the mother of all the living.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Man called his wife's name Eve; because she is the mother of all living.

Context

This verse offers a brief, positive interlude between God's pronouncements of judgment and the subsequent expulsion from the Garden. It follows the declaration of human mortality and precedes God's act of clothing them. Adam's naming of Eve, based on a future hope, injects a glimmer of faith and anticipation into the otherwise somber narrative of the fall, highlighting God's continuing faithfulness.

v.19in 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.

v.20This passage

v.21And Jehovah God made for Adam and for his wife coats of skins, and clothed them.

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 29:32

    And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Because Jehovah hath looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.

  • Genesis 5:29

    and he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us in our work and in the toil of our hands, which cometh because of the ground which Jehovah hath cursed.

  • Genesis 2:20

    And the man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the heavens, and to every beast of the field; but for man there was not found a help meet for him.

  • Matthew 1:21

    And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins.

  • Genesis 2:23

    And the man said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

  • Acts 17:26

    and he made of one every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation;

Sermon ideas from Genesis 3:20

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

  • What Genesis 3:20 teaches us about temptation

  • What Genesis 3:20 teaches us about sin and shame

  • What Genesis 3:20 teaches us about the protoevangelium

  • What Genesis 3:20 teaches us about god's mercy in judgment

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