Devine Scripture

Genesis 3:3

What does Genesis 3:3 mean?

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

What Genesis 3:3 means

Here, the woman articulates God's specific prohibition concerning the tree in the garden's center, adding the phrase "neither shall ye touch it." This addition, not found in God's original command, suggests either a misremembering, an exaggeration of the command, or a defensive augmentation born of fear. This slight distortion of God's word, however minor, creates an opening for the serpent's subsequent, more direct assault on God's truthfulness and character.

Genesis 3:3 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

but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But of the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God has said, If you take of it or put your hands on it, death will come to you.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and of the fruit of the tree which <FI>is<Fi> in the midst of the garden God hath said, Ye do not eat of it, nor touch it, lest ye die.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of paradise, God hath commanded us that we should not eat; and that we should not touch it, lest perhaps we die.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden,God has said, Ye shall not eat of it, and ye shall not touch it, lest ye die.

Context

Following her general affirmation of freedom, this verse details the woman's understanding of the specific prohibition. It builds on her previous statement by pinpointing the forbidden tree. The particular wording she uses becomes critical for the serpent's next move, as her slight alteration of God's command provides him with a perfect opportunity to directly contradict and challenge God's pronouncement, leading to the heart of the temptation.

v.2And the woman said unto the serpent, Of the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat:

v.3This passage

v.4And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

Cross references

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

  • Job 2:5

    But put forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will renounce thee to thy face.

  • 1 Chronicles 16:22

    Saying, Touch not mine anointed ones, And do my prophets no harm.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:17

    Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you,

  • Genesis 2:16

    And Jehovah God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

  • Exodus 19:12

    And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:

  • Genesis 20:6

    And God said unto him in the dream, Yea, I know that in the integrity of thy heart thou hast done this, and I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.

Sermon ideas from Genesis 3:3

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

  • What Genesis 3:3 teaches us about temptation

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

  • What Genesis 3:3 teaches us about the protoevangelium

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

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