Devine Scripture

Genesis 3:21

What does Genesis 3:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 3:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 3:21 means

In an act of grace and provision, Jehovah God Himself makes "coats of skins" for Adam and Eve. This requires the death of an animal, marking the first instance of blood sacrifice to cover sin. The clothing provides a more adequate covering than their fig leaves, symbolizing God's provisional atonement and His compassionate care, even for disobedient humanity, foreshadowing the greater sacrifice to come for their spiritual nakedness.

Genesis 3:21 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 Jehovah God made for Adam and for his wife coats of skins, and clothed them.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife coats of skins for their clothing.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jehovah God doth make to the man and to his wife coats of skin, and doth clothe them.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the Lord God made for Adam and his wife garments of skins, and clothed them.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Jehovah Elohim made Adam and his wife coats of skin, and clothed them.

Context

This verse describes God's compassionate action immediately following Adam's hopeful naming of Eve. It contrasts with humanity's futile attempts at self-covering and precedes their expulsion from the garden. God's provision of animal skins not only offers a more complete physical covering but also introduces the significant theological theme of sacrifice for sin, a necessary pre-condition for their removal from Eden.

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

v.21This passage

v.22And Jehovah God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil; and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever—

Cross references

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

  • 2 Corinthians 5:2

    For verily in this we groan, longing to be clothed upon with our habitation which is from heaven:

  • Isaiah 61:10

    I will greatly rejoice in Jehovah, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with a garland, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:21

    Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

  • Romans 3:22

    even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction;

  • Genesis 3:7

    And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig-leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

Sermon ideas from Genesis 3:21

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

  • What Genesis 3:21 teaches us about temptation

  • What Genesis 3:21 teaches us about sin and shame

  • What Genesis 3:21 teaches us about the protoevangelium

  • What Genesis 3:21 teaches us about god's mercy in judgment

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