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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 3:19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground--because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/3-19.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_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 3:19 - The Punishment of Mankind" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground--because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/3-19.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/3-19.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 19</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad19.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/3-18.htm" title="Genesis 3:18">◄</a> Genesis 3:19 <a href="/genesis/3-20.htm" title="Genesis 3:20">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/genesis/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/genesis/3.htm">New International Version</a> By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/genesis/3.htm">New Living Translation</a> By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.” <a href="/esv/genesis/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” <a href="/bsb/genesis/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground—because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” <a href="/kjv/genesis/3.htm">King James Bible</a> In 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. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/3.htm">New King James Version</a> In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.” <a href="/nasb_/genesis/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> By the sweat of your face You shall eat bread, Until you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.” <a href="/nasb/genesis/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> By the sweat of your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/genesis/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> By the sweat of your face You shall eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.” <a href="/lsb/genesis/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> By the sweat of your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.” <a href="/amp/genesis/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “By the sweat of your face You will eat bread Until you return to the ground, For from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.” <a href="/csb/genesis/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> You will eat bread by the sweat of your brow until you return to the ground, since you were taken from it. For you are dust, and you will return to dust.” <a href="/hcsb/genesis/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> You will eat bread by the sweat of your brow until you return to the ground, since you were taken from it. For you are dust, and you will return to dust.&#8221 <a href="/asv/genesis/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> in 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. <a href="/cev/genesis/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> You will sweat all your life to earn a living; you were made out of soil, and you will once again turn into soil." <a href="/erv/genesis/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> in 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. <a href="/gwt/genesis/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> By the sweat of your brow, you will produce food to eat until you return to the ground, because you were taken from it. You are dust, and you will return to dust." <a href="/gnt/genesis/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> You will have to work hard and sweat to make the soil produce anything, until you go back to the soil from which you were formed. You were made from soil, and you will become soil again." <a href="/isv/genesis/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> You will eat food by the sweat of your brow until you're buried in the ground, because you were taken from it. You're made from dust and you'll return to dust." <a href="/msb/genesis/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground?because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.? <a href="/net/genesis/3.htm">NET Bible</a> By the sweat of your brow you will eat food until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you will return." <a href="/nheb/genesis/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you shall return." <a href="/wbt/genesis/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou shalt return to the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and to dust shalt thou return. <a href="/web/genesis/3.htm">World English Bible</a> You will eat bread by the sweat of your face until you return to the ground, for you were taken out of it. For you are dust, and you shall return to dust.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> by the sweat of your face you eat bread until your return to the ground, for you have been taken out of it, for dust you [are], and to dust you return.” <a href="/ylt/genesis/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> by the sweat of thy face thou dost eat bread till thy return unto the ground, for out of it hast thou been taken, for dust thou art, and unto dust thou turnest back.' <a href="/slt/genesis/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> In the sweat of thy face thou shalt eat food until thy turning back to the earth; for out of it thou wert taken; for dust thou art, and to dust shalt thou turn back.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread till thou return to the earth, out of which thou wast taken: for dust thou art, and into dust thou shalt return. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> By the sweat of your face shall you eat bread, until you return to the earth from which you were taken. For dust you are, and unto dust you shall return.” <a href="/nabre/genesis/3.htm">New American Bible</a> By the sweat of your brow you shall eat bread, Until you return to the ground, from which you were taken; For you are dust, and to dust you shall return. <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread, until you return to the ground; out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust shall you return. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> In the sweat of your face you will eat bread, until you return to the Earth, for from it you were taken, because dust you are and to dust you shall return.”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> In 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.' <a href="/sep/genesis/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread until thou return to the earth out of which thou wast taken, for earth thou art and to earth thou shalt return. <a href="/parallel/genesis/3-19.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=696" 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 Punishment of Mankind</a> …18Both thorns and thistles it will yield for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. 19<a href="/hebrew/2188.htm" title="2188: bə·zê·‘aṯ (Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- Sweat. From zuwa'; perspiration.">By the sweat</a> <a href="/hebrew/639.htm" title="639: ’ap·pe·ḵā (N-mdc:: 2ms) -- A nostril, nose, face, anger. From 'anaph; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also ire.">of your brow</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: tō·ḵal (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">you will eat</a> <a href="/hebrew/3899.htm" title="3899: le·ḥem (N-ms) -- Bread, food. From lacham; food, especially bread, or grain.">your bread,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">until</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: šū·ḇə·ḵā (V-Qal-Inf:: 2ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">you return</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/127.htm" title="127: hā·’ă·ḏā·māh (Art:: N-fs) -- Ground, land. From 'adam; soil.">the ground—</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: mim·men·nāh (Prep:: 3fs) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">out of it</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: luq·qā·ḥə·tā (V-QalPass-Perf-2ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">were you taken.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/6083.htm" title="6083: ‘ā·p̄ār (N-ms) -- Dry earth, dust. From aphar; dust; hence, clay, earth, mud.">dust</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tāh (Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">you are,</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: wə·’el- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">and to</a> <a href="/hebrew/6083.htm" title="6083: ‘ā·p̄ār (N-ms) -- Dry earth, dust. From aphar; dust; hence, clay, earth, mud.">dust</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: tā·šūḇ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">you shall return.”</a> 20And Adam named his wife Eve, because she would be the mother of all the living.…<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="/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_corinthians/15-21.htm">1 Corinthians 15:21-22</a> For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. / For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. <a href="/1_corinthians/15-45.htm">1 Corinthians 15:45-49</a> So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam a life-giving spirit. / The spiritual, however, was not first, but the natural, and then the spiritual. / The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. ... <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-20.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:20</a> All go to one place; all come from dust, and all return to dust. <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:7</a> before the dust returns to the ground from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it. <a href="/job/34-15.htm">Job 34:15</a> all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust. <a href="/psalms/90-3.htm">Psalm 90:3</a> You return man to dust, saying, “Return, O sons of mortals.” <a href="/psalms/104-29.htm">Psalm 104:29</a> When You hide Your face, they are terrified; when You take away their breath, they die and return to dust. <a href="/romans/8-20.htm">Romans 8:20-22</a> For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope / that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. / We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. <a href="/1_corinthians/15-53.htm">1 Corinthians 15:53-54</a> For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. / When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” <a href="/isaiah/40-6.htm">Isaiah 40:6-8</a> A voice says, “Cry out!” And I asked, “What should I cry out?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field. / The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. / The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” <a href="/job/10-9.htm">Job 10:9</a> Please remember that You molded me like clay. Would You now return me to dust? <a href="/job/14-1.htm">Job 14:1-2</a> “Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble. / Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure. <a href="/hebrews/9-27.htm">Hebrews 9:27</a> Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment, <a href="/james/4-14.htm">James 4:14</a> You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread, till you return to the ground; for out of it were you taken: for dust you are, and to dust shall you return.In.<a href="/ecclesiastes/1-3.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:3,13</a> What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? … <a href="/ephesians/4-28.htm">Ephesians 4:28</a> Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.<a href="/1_thessalonians/2-9.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:9</a> For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.till.<a href="/job/1-21.htm">Job 1:21</a> And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.<a href="/psalms/90-3.htm">Psalm 90:3</a> Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men.<a href="/psalms/104-29.htm">Psalm 104:29</a> Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.for dust.<a href="/genesis/2-7.htm">Genesis 2:7</a> And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.<a href="/genesis/18-27.htm">Genesis 18:27</a> And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:and.<a href="/genesis/23-4.htm">Genesis 23:4</a> I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.<a href="/job/17-13.htm">Job 17:13-16</a> If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness… <a href="/job/19-26.htm">Job 19:26</a> And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hebrews/9-2.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/revelation/17-5.htm">Brow</a> <a href="/genesis/3-14.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/genesis/2-7.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/genesis/3-18.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/genesis/2-6.htm">Face</a> <a href="/genesis/3-18.htm">Food</a> <a href="/genesis/3-17.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/genesis/3-3.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/revelation/2-2.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/luke/22-44.htm">Sweat</a> <a href="/psalms/114-5.htm">Turnest</a> <a href="/genesis/3-11.htm">Wast</a> <a href="/genesis/2-15.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/14-18.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/exodus/13-16.htm">Brow</a> <a href="/genesis/13-16.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/genesis/3-23.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/genesis/3-22.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/genesis/4-5.htm">Face</a> <a href="/genesis/6-21.htm">Food</a> <a href="/genesis/3-23.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/genesis/5-29.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/genesis/18-14.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-18.htm">Sweat</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/30-10.htm">Turnest</a> <a href="/genesis/33-10.htm">Wast</a> <a href="/genesis/3-23.htm">Work</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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread This phrase signifies the curse placed upon humanity as a result of Adam's disobedience. It highlights the shift from the ease of provision in the Garden of Eden to a life of toil and labor. The "sweat of your brow" indicates hard work and effort, contrasting with the effortless abundance previously experienced. This reflects the broader biblical theme of work and its challenges, as seen in <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-3.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:3</a>, where labor is described as burdensome. The necessity of labor for sustenance is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing human dependence on God for provision.until you return to the ground— This part of the verse underscores the mortality of humanity. The inevitability of death is introduced as a consequence of sin, marking a departure from the original design of eternal life in Eden. The phrase "return to the ground" connects to the creation account in <a href="/genesis/2-7.htm">Genesis 2:7</a>, where man is formed from the dust of the ground. This return to the earth signifies the full circle of life and death, a theme echoed in <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:7</a>, which speaks of the spirit returning to God and the body to the earth.because out of it were you taken. This phrase reiterates the origin of humanity, emphasizing the intimate connection between humans and the earth. It serves as a reminder of the Creator's power and the humble beginnings of mankind. The creation narrative in <a href="/genesis/2-7.htm">Genesis 2:7</a> highlights God's personal involvement in forming man, setting humans apart from the rest of creation. This connection to the earth also foreshadows the redemptive work of Christ, who, though divine, took on human form and shared in the human experience, as described in <a href="/philippians/2-7.htm">Philippians 2:7-8</a>.For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” This final phrase reinforces the theme of human mortality and the consequences of sin. It serves as a sobering reminder of the transient nature of life, a concept echoed in <a href="/psalms/103-14.htm">Psalm 103:14-16</a>, which speaks of human frailty. The imagery of dust symbolizes both the humble origin and the inevitable end of human life. This acknowledgment of mortality points to the need for redemption and the hope of resurrection, as fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who conquered death and offers eternal life, as proclaimed in <a href="/1_corinthians/15-21.htm">1 Corinthians 15:21-22</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/a/adam.htm">Adam</a> The first man created by God, who is directly addressed in this verse. His disobedience led to the curse of labor and mortality. 2. <a href="/topical/e/eden.htm">Eden</a> The garden where Adam and Eve lived before the Fall, representing the original state of harmony between humanity and God. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_fall.htm">The Fall</a> The event where Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, resulting in sin entering the world. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_ground.htm">The Ground</a> Represents both the source of life and sustenance, as well as the final resting place of humanity, highlighting the cycle of life and death. 5. <a href="/topical/c/curse.htm">Curse</a> The consequence of sin, which includes toil, pain, and eventual death, altering the original design of creation.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_labor_and_toil.htm">The Reality of Labor and Toil</a> Work is a part of human existence post-Fall, and it is through effort and perseverance that we provide for ourselves and our families. <a href="/topical/m/mortality_and_humility.htm">Mortality and Humility</a> Recognizing our origin from dust and our return to it should instill humility and a reliance on God for our eternal hope. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a> Sin has tangible consequences that affect our daily lives, reminding us of the need for redemption and restoration through Christ. <a href="/topical/h/hope_beyond_the_curse.htm">Hope Beyond the Curse</a> While <a href="/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19</a> speaks of the curse, the New Testament offers hope through Jesus Christ, who overcomes sin and death. <a href="/topical/l/living_with_purpose.htm">Living with Purpose</a> Understanding our temporary nature should motivate us to live purposefully, seeking to glorify God in all we do.<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/are_adam_and_eve_considered_saved.htm">Are Adam and Eve considered saved?</a> <a href="/q/bible's_view_on_terminal_illness.htm">What does the Bible say about terminal illness?</a> <a href="/q/meaning_of_'ashes_to_ashes,_dust_to_dust'.htm">What does "Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust" mean?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'dust_to_dust'_mean.htm">What does "To dust you shall return" mean?</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>(19) Dust thou art . . . --It appears from this that death was man's normal condition. A spiritual being is eternal by its own constitution, but the argument by which Bishop Butler proves the soul to be immortal equally proves the mortality of the body. Death, he says, is the division of a compound substance into its component parts; but as the soul is a simple substance, and incapable of division, it is per se incapable of death (Analogy, Part 1, Genesis 1). The body of Adam, composed of particles of earth, was capable of division, and our first parents in Paradise were assured of an unending existence by a special gift, typified by the tree of life. But now this gift was withdrawn, and henceforward the sweat of man's brow was in itself proof that he was returning to his earth: for it told of exhaustion and waste. Even now labour is a blessing only when it is moderate, as when Adam kept a garden that spontaneously brought forth flowers and fruit. In excess it wears out the body and benumbs the soul, and by the pressure of earthly cares leaves neither time nor the wish for any such pursuits as are worthy of a being endowed with thought and reason and a soul.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 19. - In the sweat of thy face (so called, as having there its source and being there visible) shalt thou eat bread. I.e. all food (vide <a href="/job/28-5.htm">Job 28:5</a>; <a href="/psalms/104-14.htm">Psalm 104:14</a>; <a href="/matthew/14-15.htm">Matthew 14:15</a>; <a href="/mark/6-36.htm">Mark 6:36</a>). "To eat bread" is to possess the means of sustaining life (<a href="/ecclesiastes/5-16.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:16</a>; <a href="/amos/7-12.htm">Amos 7:12</a>). Till thou return unto the ground (the mortality-of man is thus assumed as certain); for out of it thou wast taken. Not declaring the reason of man's dissolution, as if it were involved in his original material constitution, but reminding him that in consequence of his transgression he had forfeited the privilege of immunity from death, and must now return to the soil whence he sprung. Ἐξ η΅ς ἐλήφθης (LXX.); de qua sumptus es (Vulgate); "out of which thou wast taken" (Macdonald, Gesenius). On the use of כִּי as a relative pronoun - אַשֶׁר cf. Gesenius, ' Lex. sub nom.,' who quotes this and <a href="/genesis/4-25.htm">Genesis 4:25</a> as examples. Vide also Stanley Leathes, 'Hebrews Gram.,' p. 202; and 'Glassii Philologiae,' lib. 3. tr. 2, c. 15. p. 335. This use of כִּי, however, appears to be doubtful, and is not necessary in any of the examples quoted. <a href="/commentaries/genesis/3-19.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>By the sweat בְּזֵעַ֤ת (bə·zê·‘aṯ) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2188.htm">Strong's 2188: </a> Perspiration of your brow אַפֶּ֙יךָ֙ (’ap·pe·ḵā) Noun - mdc | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_639.htm">Strong's 639: </a> The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire you will eat תֹּ֣אכַל (tō·ḵal) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> To eat [your] bread, לֶ֔חֶם (le·ḥem) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3899.htm">Strong's 3899: </a> Food, bread, grain until עַ֤ד (‘aḏ) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> As far as, even to, up to, until, while you return שֽׁוּבְךָ֙ (šū·ḇə·ḵā) Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to the ground— הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה (hā·’ă·ḏā·māh) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_127.htm">Strong's 127: </a> Ground, land because כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction out of it מִמֶּ֖נָּה (mim·men·nāh) Preposition | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> A part of, from, out of were you taken. לֻקָּ֑חְתָּ (luq·qā·ḥə·tā) Verb - QalPass - Perfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> To take For כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction dust עָפָ֣ר (‘ā·p̄ār) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6083.htm">Strong's 6083: </a> Dust, clay, earth, mud you [are], אַ֔תָּה (’at·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> Thou and thee, ye and you and to וְאֶל־ (wə·’el-) Conjunctive waw | Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to dust עָפָ֖ר (‘ā·p̄ār) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6083.htm">Strong's 6083: </a> Dust, clay, earth, mud you {shall} return.” תָּשֽׁוּב׃ (tā·šūḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/3-19.htm">OT Law: Genesis 3:19 By the sweat of your face will (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/3-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 3:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 3:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/3-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 3:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 3:20" /></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>