Devine Scripture

Genesis 3:7

What does Genesis 3:7 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 3:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 3:7 means

Immediately after their disobedience, Adam and Eve's eyes are indeed opened, but not to the divine knowledge the serpent promised. Instead, they become acutely aware of their nakedness, signifying shame and vulnerability previously unknown. This newfound self-consciousness leads them to attempt to cover themselves with fig leaves, a futile effort to conceal their altered state and a symbolic attempt to hide from their guilt and from God's holy presence.

Genesis 3:7 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 eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig-leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And their eyes were open and they were conscious that they had no clothing and they made themselves coats of leaves stitched together.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the eyes of them both are opened, and they know that they <FI>are<Fi> naked, and they sew fig-leaves, and make to themselves girdles.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the eyes of them both were opened: and when they perceived themselves to be naked, they sewed together fig leaves, and made themselves aprons.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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.

Context

This verse describes the immediate, profound consequence of Adam and Eve's eating the forbidden fruit. It directly follows their act of disobedience, showing an instant change in their perception and self-awareness. This newfound shame and their attempt at self-covering set the scene for God's impending arrival and their subsequent efforts to hide from Him, marking a dramatic shift in their relationship with God and their environment.

v.6And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and she gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat.

v.7This passage

v.8And they heard the voice of Jehovah God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of Jehovah God amongst the trees of the garden.

Cross references

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

  • Isaiah 28:20

    For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it; and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.

  • Genesis 3:5

    for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil.

  • 2 Kings 6:20

    And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, Jehovah, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And Jehovah opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.

  • Genesis 3:10

    And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

  • Job 9:29

    I shall be condemned; Why then do I labor in vain?

  • Genesis 2:25

    And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

Sermon ideas from Genesis 3:7

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

  • What Genesis 3:7 teaches us about temptation

  • What Genesis 3:7 teaches us about sin and shame

  • What Genesis 3:7 teaches us about the protoevangelium

  • What Genesis 3:7 teaches us about god's mercy in judgment

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