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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden?'"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/3-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/01_Gen_03_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 3:1 - The Serpent's Deception" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made. 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He said to the woman, &#8220Did God really say, &#8216You must not eat from any tree in the garden&#8217?&#8221 <a href="/nlt/genesis/3.htm">New Living Translation</a> The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the LORD God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” <a href="/esv/genesis/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” <a href="/bsb/genesis/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” <a href="/kjv/genesis/3.htm">King James Bible</a> Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? <a href="/nkjv/genesis/3.htm">New King James Version</a> Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” <a href="/nasb_/genesis/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now the serpent was more cunning than any animal of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God really said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” <a href="/nasb/genesis/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, &#8220Indeed, has God said, &#8216You shall not eat from any tree of the garden &#8216?&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/genesis/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” <a href="/lsb/genesis/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which Yahweh God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” <a href="/amp/genesis/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Now the serpent was more crafty (subtle, skilled in deceit) than any living creature of the field which the LORD God had made. And the serpent (Satan) said to the woman, “Can it really be that God has said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” <a href="/csb/genesis/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You can’t eat from any tree in the garden’? ” <a href="/hcsb/genesis/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, &#8220Did God really say, &#8216You can&#8217t eat from any tree in the garden?&#8221 <a href="/asv/genesis/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which Jehovah God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of any tree of the garden? <a href="/cev/genesis/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The snake was sneakier than any of the other wild animals that the LORD God had made. One day it came to the woman and asked, "Did God tell you not to eat fruit from any tree in the garden?" <a href="/erv/genesis/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of any tree of the garden? <a href="/gwt/genesis/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The snake was more clever than all the wild animals the LORD God had made. He asked the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must never eat the fruit of any tree in the garden'?" <a href="/gnt/genesis/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> Now the snake was the most cunning animal that the LORD God had made. The snake asked the woman, "Did God really tell you not to eat fruit from any tree in the garden?" <a href="/isv/genesis/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> Now the Shining One was more clever than any animal of the field that the LORD God had made. It asked the woman, "Did God actually say, 'You are not to eat from any tree of the garden'?" <a href="/msb/genesis/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, ?Did God really say, ?You must not eat from any tree in the garden??? <a href="/net/genesis/3.htm">NET Bible</a> Now the serpent was more shrewd than any of the wild animals that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Is it really true that God said, 'You must not eat from any tree of the orchard'?" <a href="/nheb/genesis/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Now the serpent was more shrewd than any of the wild animals which God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God really said, 'You shall not eat of any tree of the garden?'" <a href="/wbt/genesis/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made: and he said to the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? <a href="/web/genesis/3.htm">World English Bible</a> Now the serpent was more subtle than any animal of the field which Yahweh God had made. He said to the woman, “Has God really said, ‘You shall not eat of any tree of the garden’?” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And the serpent has been cunning above every beast of the field which YHWH God has made, and he says to the woman, “Is it true that God has said, You do not eat from every tree of the garden?” <a href="/ylt/genesis/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And the serpent hath been subtile above every beast of the field which Jehovah God hath made, and he saith unto the woman, 'Is it true that God hath said, Ye do not eat of every tree of the garden?' <a href="/slt/genesis/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the serpent was crafty above every beast of the field which Jehovah God made; and he will say to the woman, Is it because God said ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Now the serpent was more subtle than any of the beasts of the earth which the Lord God made. And he said to the woman: Why hath God commanded you, that you should not eat of every tree of paradise? <a href="/cpdv/genesis/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> However, the serpent was more crafty than any of the creatures of the earth that the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Why has God instructed you, that you should not eat from every tree of Paradise?” <a href="/nabre/genesis/3.htm">New American Bible</a> Now the snake was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the LORD God had made. He asked the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You shall not eat from any of the trees in the garden’?” <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> NOW the serpent was more subtle than all the wild beasts that the LORD God had made. And the serpent said to the woman, Truly has God said that you shall not eat of any tree of the garden? <a href="/hpbt/genesis/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And the Serpent was craftier than every animal of the wilderness that LORD JEHOVAH God had made, and the Serpent said to the Woman, “Has God truly said that you will not eat from all the trees of Paradise”?<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman: 'Yea, hath God said: Ye shall not eat of any tree of the garden?' <a href="/sep/genesis/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Now the serpent was the most crafty of all the brutes on the earth, which the Lord God made, and the serpent said to the woman, Wherefore has God said, Eat not of every tree of the garden? <a href="/parallel/genesis/3-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=515" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/genesis/3.htm">The Serpent's Deception</a> 1<a href="/hebrew/5175.htm" title="5175: wə·han·nā·ḥāš (Conj-w, Art:: N-ms) -- A serpent. From nachash; a snake.">Now the serpent</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">was</a> <a href="/hebrew/6175.htm" title="6175: ‘ā·rūm (Adj-ms) -- Crafty, shrewd, sensible. Passive participle of aram; cunning.">more crafty</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: mik·kōl (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">than any</a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ḥay·yaṯ (N-fsc) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">beast</a> <a href="/hebrew/7704.htm" title="7704: haś·śā·ḏeh (Art:: N-ms) -- Field, land. Or saday; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field.">of the field</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">God</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ā·śāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">had made.</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">And he said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: hā·’iš·šāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">the woman,</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">“Did God</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">really</a> <a href="/hebrew/637.htm" title="637: ’ap̄ (Conj) -- Also, yea. A primitive particle; meaning accession; also or yea; adversatively though."></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">say,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">‘You must not</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: ṯō·ḵə·lū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">eat</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: mik·kōl (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">from any</a> <a href="/hebrew/6086.htm" title="6086: ‘êṣ (N-msc) -- Tree, trees, wood. From atsah; a tree; hence, wood.">tree</a> <a href="/hebrew/1588.htm" title="1588: hag·gān (Art:: N-cs) -- An enclosure, garden. From ganan; a garden.">in the garden?’”</a> 2The woman answered the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/revelation/12-9.htm">Revelation 12:9</a> And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. <a href="/2_corinthians/11-3.htm">2 Corinthians 11:3</a> I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ. <a href="/john/8-44.htm">John 8:44</a> You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies. <a href="/matthew/4-3.htm">Matthew 4:3</a> The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” <a href="/1_timothy/2-14.htm">1 Timothy 2:14</a> And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman who was deceived and fell into transgression. <a href="/romans/5-12.htm">Romans 5:12</a> Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned. <a href="/1_john/3-8.htm">1 John 3:8</a> The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil. <a href="/revelation/20-2.htm">Revelation 20:2</a> He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. <a href="/matthew/10-16.htm">Matthew 10:16</a> Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. <a href="/2_corinthians/2-11.htm">2 Corinthians 2:11</a> in order that Satan should not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. <a href="/isaiah/27-1.htm">Isaiah 27:1</a> In that day the LORD will take His sharp, great, and mighty sword, and bring judgment on Leviathan the fleeing serpent—Leviathan the coiling serpent—and He will slay the dragon of the sea. <a href="/ezekiel/28-13.htm">Ezekiel 28:13-15</a> You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every kind of precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald. Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold, prepared on the day of your creation. / You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for I had ordained you. You were on the holy mountain of God; you walked among the fiery stones. / From the day you were created you were blameless in your ways—until wickedness was found in you. <a href="/job/1-6.htm">Job 1:6-7</a> One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. / “Where have you come from?” said the LORD to Satan. “From roaming through the earth,” he replied, “and walking back and forth in it.” <a href="/job/2-2.htm">Job 2:2</a> “Where have you come from?” said the LORD to Satan. “From roaming through the earth,” he replied, “and walking back and forth in it.” <a href="/zechariah/3-1.htm">Zechariah 3:1-2</a> Then the angel showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, with Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. / And the LORD said to Satan: “The LORD rebukes you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you! Is not this man a firebrand snatched from the fire?”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, Yes, has God said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?Now.<a href="/genesis/3-13.htm">Genesis 3:13-15</a> And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat… <a href="/isaiah/27-1.htm">Isaiah 27:1</a> In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.<a href="/matthew/10-16.htm">Matthew 10:16</a> Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.serpent.he said.<a href="/numbers/22-28.htm">Numbers 22:28,29</a> And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? … <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:10</a> For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.<a href="/1_peter/3-7.htm">1 Peter 3:7</a> Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.Yea, hath.<a href="/matthew/4-3.htm">Matthew 4:3,6,9</a> And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/2-20.htm">Animal</a> <a href="/genesis/1-25.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/genesis/2-20.htm">Beast</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-16.htm">Crafty</a> <a href="/genesis/2-19.htm">Creature</a> <a href="/genesis/2-17.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/genesis/2-22.htm">Elohim</a> <a href="/genesis/2-20.htm">Field</a> <a href="/genesis/2-17.htm">Fruit</a> <a href="/genesis/2-16.htm">Garden</a> <a href="/revelation/14-13.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/1_john/2-19.htm">Really</a> <a href="/revelation/20-2.htm">Serpent</a> <a href="/revelation/20-2.htm">Snake</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-10.htm">Subtil</a> <a href="/job/15-5.htm">Subtile</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-10.htm">Subtle</a> <a href="/genesis/2-17.htm">Tree</a> <a href="/revelation/22-6.htm">True.</a> <a href="/genesis/1-25.htm">Wild</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/3-14.htm">Animal</a> <a href="/genesis/6-7.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/genesis/3-14.htm">Beast</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-22.htm">Crafty</a> <a href="/genesis/6-17.htm">Creature</a> <a href="/genesis/3-2.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/genesis/3-9.htm">Elohim</a> <a href="/genesis/3-14.htm">Field</a> <a href="/genesis/3-2.htm">Fruit</a> <a href="/genesis/3-2.htm">Garden</a> <a href="/genesis/6-3.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/genesis/16-13.htm">Really</a> <a href="/genesis/3-2.htm">Serpent</a> <a href="/genesis/3-4.htm">Snake</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-3.htm">Subtil</a> <a href="/job/5-12.htm">Subtile</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-3.htm">Subtle</a> <a href="/genesis/3-3.htm">Tree</a> <a href="/genesis/18-14.htm">True.</a> <a href="/genesis/7-14.htm">Wild</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 3</div>1. <a href="/genesis/3-1.htm">The serpent deceives Eve.</a> 6. <a href="/genesis/3-6.htm">Both she and Adam transgress the divine command, and fall into sin.</a> 8. <a href="/genesis/3-8.htm">God arraigns them.</a> 14. <a href="/genesis/3-14.htm">The serpent is cursed.</a> 15. <a href="/genesis/3-15.htm">The promised seed.</a> 16. <a href="/genesis/3-16.htm">The punishment of mankind.</a> 21. <a href="/genesis/3-21.htm">Their first clothing.</a> 22. <a href="/genesis/3-22.htm">Their expulsion from paradise.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The serpent is introduced as a creature distinct in its craftiness, suggesting intelligence and cunning. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, serpents often symbolized chaos, danger, or wisdom. The text implies that the serpent's craftiness surpasses that of other animals, indicating a unique role in the narrative. The serpent's presence in the garden, a place of divine order, introduces a potential for disruption. The phrase "that the LORD God had made" emphasizes God's sovereignty over creation, including the serpent, which later Christian theology identifies with Satan (<a href="/revelation/12-9.htm">Revelation 12:9</a>). This connection suggests a deeper spiritual conflict beyond the immediate narrative.And he said to the woman, The serpent's direct address to the woman, Eve, highlights her role in the forthcoming events. In the cultural context, women were often seen as more susceptible to deception, a view that has influenced interpretations of this passage. However, the narrative does not explicitly support this stereotype; instead, it presents Eve as an active participant in the dialogue. The serpent's approach to Eve rather than Adam may suggest a strategic choice, as Eve was not the direct recipient of God's command (<a href="/genesis/2-16.htm">Genesis 2:16-17</a>), potentially making her more vulnerable to misinterpretation.“Did God really say, The serpent's question introduces doubt and challenges the clarity and authority of God's command. This tactic of questioning divine instruction is a common theme in biblical narratives, where faith and obedience are tested. The phrasing implies skepticism and invites Eve to reconsider what she understands about God's will. This moment foreshadows later biblical instances where God's word is questioned or distorted, such as in the temptations of Jesus (<a href="/matthew/4.htm">Matthew 4:1-11</a>).‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” The serpent's distortion of God's command (<a href="/genesis/2-16.htm">Genesis 2:16-17</a>) exaggerates the prohibition, suggesting an unreasonable restriction. This misrepresentation aims to provoke a response from Eve, leading her to clarify and potentially question the fairness of God's command. The focus on "any tree" contrasts with the actual command, which permitted eating from all trees except one. This tactic of exaggeration is a common method of sowing doubt and confusion, seen in other biblical narratives where truth is twisted to deceive (<a href="/2_corinthians/11-3.htm">2 Corinthians 11:3</a>). The garden, a place of abundance and provision, becomes the setting for this pivotal moment of choice and temptation, reflecting the broader biblical theme of testing and obedience.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_serpent.htm">The Serpent</a> Described as "more crafty than any beast of the field," the serpent is a key figure in the temptation of Eve. The Hebrew word for "crafty" is (arum), which implies shrewdness or cunning. The serpent is often understood to be a representation of Satan, who uses deception to lead humanity into sin. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_woman.htm">The Woman (Eve)</a> Eve is the first woman, created by God as a companion for Adam. In this passage, she is approached by the serpent and becomes the target of his deceit. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_garden_of_eden.htm">The Garden of Eden</a> The setting for this event, the Garden of Eden is a place of perfection and communion with God. It represents the ideal state of creation before the fall. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord_god.htm">The LORD God</a> The Creator of all things, including the serpent and humanity. His command regarding the tree is central to the account. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_tree_of_knowledge_of_good_and_evil.htm">The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil</a> Although not mentioned directly in this verse, it is the tree from which God commanded Adam and Eve not to eat. The serpent's question challenges God's command regarding this tree.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_temptation.htm">The Nature of Temptation</a> Temptation often begins with questioning God's Word. The serpent's question, "Did God really say?" is a tactic used to sow doubt and confusion. Believers must be grounded in Scripture to recognize and resist such tactics. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_knowing_god's_word.htm">The Importance of Knowing God's Word</a> Eve's encounter with the serpent highlights the necessity of knowing and understanding God's commands. Misunderstanding or misquoting Scripture can lead to vulnerability in the face of temptation. <a href="/topical/t/the_subtlety_of_deception.htm">The Subtlety of Deception</a> The serpent's craftiness is a reminder that deception can be subtle and appealing. Christians must be vigilant and discerning, relying on the Holy Spirit for wisdom. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a> Although not detailed in this verse, the broader account shows that disobedience to God's commands leads to severe consequences. Obedience to God is essential for maintaining a right relationship with Him.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 3</a> <a href="/q/bible's_view_on_accountability.htm">What does the Bible say about accountability?</a> <a href="/q/bible's_view_on_rebellion.htm">What is the Bible's stance on rebellion?</a> <a href="/q/can_snakes_talk_in_reality.htm">Is a talking snake possible in reality?</a> <a href="/q/did_god_originate_the_concept_of_sin.htm">Did God originate the concept of sin?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>III.(1) Now the serpent.--Literally, And. The Hebrew language, however, is very poor in particles, and the intended contrast would be made plainer by rendering "Now they were both naked (arumim) . . . but the serpent was subtil (arum), more than every beast of the field." This quality of the serpent was in itself innocent, and even admirable, and accordingly the LXX. translate prudent; but it was made use of by the tempter to deceive Eve; for, it has been remarked, she would not be surprised on finding herself spoken to by so sagacious a creature. If this be so, it follows that Eve must have dwelt in Paradise long enough to have learnt something of the habits of the animals around her, though she had never studied them so earnestly as Adam, not having felt that want of a companion which had made even his state of happiness so dull.And he said unto the woman.--The leading point of the narrative is that the temptation came upon man from without, and through the woman. Such questions, therefore, as whether it were a real serpent or Satan under a serpent-like form, whether it spake with a real voice, and whether the narrative describes a literal occurrence or is allegorical, are better left unanswered. God has given us the account of man's temptation and fall, and the entry of sin into the world, in this actual form; and the more reverent course is to draw from the narrative the lessons it was evidently intended to teach us, and not enter upon too curious speculations. We are dealing with records of a vast and hoar antiquity, given to man when he was in a state of great simplicity, and with his intellect only partly developed, and we cannot expect to find them as easy to understand as the pages of modern history.Yea, hath God said . . .?--There is a tone of surprise in these words, as if the tempter could not bring himself to believe that such a command had been given. Can it really be true, he asks, that Elohim has subjected you to such a prohibition? How unworthy and wrong of Him! Neither the serpent nor the woman use the title--common throughout this section--of Jehovah-Elohim, a sure sign that there was a thoughtful purpose in giving this appellation to the Deity. It is the impersonal God of creation to whom the tempter refers, and the woman follows his guidance, forgetting that it was Jehovah, the loving personal Being in covenant with them, who had really given them the command.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 1-7. - How long the paradisiacal state of innocence and felicity continued the historian does not declare, probably as not falling within the scope of his immediate design. <a href="/psalms/49-12.htm">Psalm 49:12</a> has been thought, though without sufficient reason, to hint that man's Eden life was of comparatively short duration. The present chapter relates the tragic incident which brought it to a termination. Into the question of the origin of moral evil in the universe it does not enter. The metaphysical problem of how the first thought of sin could arise in innocent beings it does not attempt to resolve. It seeks to explain the genesis of evil with reference to man. Nor even with regard to this does it aim at an exhaustive dissertation, but only at such a statement of its beginnings as shall demonstrate that God is not the author of sin, but that man, by his own free volition, brought his pristine state of purity and happiness to an end. A due regard to this, the specific object of the Mosaic narrative, will go far to answer not a few of the objections which have been taken to its historic credibility. Like the Mosaic record of creation, the Biblical story of the fall has been impugned on a variety of grounds. 1. The doctrine of a fall, which this chapter clearly teaches, has been assailed as inconsistent with the dictates of a speculative philosophy, if not also with the tenets of a Scriptural theology. While in the present narrative the origin of sin is distinctly traced back to the free volition of man acting without constraint, though not without temptation, in opposition to the Divine will, a more exact psychological analysis, it is alleged, declares it to have been from the first a necessity, either (1) metaphysically, as being involved in the very conception of a finite will (Spinoza, Leibnitz, Baur); or (2) historically, "as the expression of the necessary transition of the human race from the state of nature to that of culture" (Fichte, Kant, Schiller), or as developing itself in obedience to the law of antagonism and conflict (John Seotus Erigena, Hegel, Sehleiermacher, Schelling); or . . . <a href="/commentaries/genesis/3-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Now the serpent וְהַנָּחָשׁ֙ (wə·han·nā·ḥāš) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5175.htm">Strong's 5175: </a> A serpent was הָיָ֣ה (hā·yāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be more crafty עָר֔וּם (‘ā·rūm) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6175.htm">Strong's 6175: </a> Crafty, shrewd, sensible than any מִכֹּל֙ (mik·kōl) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every beast חַיַּ֣ת (ḥay·yaṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life of the field הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה (haś·śā·ḏeh) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7704.htm">Strong's 7704: </a> Field, land that אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that the LORD יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel God אֱלֹהִ֑ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative had made. עָשָׂ֖ה (‘ā·śāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make And he said וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to the woman, הָ֣אִשָּׁ֔ה (hā·’iš·šāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> Woman, wife, female “Did God אֱלֹהִ֔ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative really כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction say, אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say ‘You must not לֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no eat תֹֽאכְל֔וּ (ṯō·ḵə·lū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> To eat of any מִכֹּ֖ל (mik·kōl) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every tree עֵ֥ץ (‘êṣ) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6086.htm">Strong's 6086: </a> Tree, trees, wood in the garden?’” הַגָּֽן׃ (hag·gān) Article | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1588.htm">Strong's 1588: </a> An enclosure, garden <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/3-1.htm">Genesis 3:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/3-1.htm">Genesis 3:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/3-1.htm">Genesis 3:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/3-1.htm">Genesis 3:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/3-1.htm">Genesis 3:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/3-1.htm">Genesis 3:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/3-1.htm">Genesis 3:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/3-1.htm">Genesis 3:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/3-1.htm">Genesis 3:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/3-1.htm">Genesis 3:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/3-1.htm">OT Law: Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtle than (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/2-25.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 2:25"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 2:25" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/3-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 3:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 3:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>