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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."
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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.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></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="/ad1.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="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><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"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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 <i>art</i>, and unto dust shalt thou return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />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 <i>are,</i> And to dust you shall return.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />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.” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You will sweat all your life to earn a living; you were made out of soil, and you will once again turn into soil." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />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."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />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." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />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."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />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." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />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."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />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"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 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.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />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"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />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"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />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"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />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.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/3-19.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></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><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/3.htm">The Punishment of Mankind</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">18</span>Both thorns and thistles it will yield for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. <span class="reftext">19</span><span class="highl"><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> </span><span class="reftext">20</span>And 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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/5-12.htm">Romans 5:12</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-21.htm">1 Corinthians 15:21-22</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-45.htm">1 Corinthians 15:45-49</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-20.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:20</a></span><br />All go to one place; all come from dust, and all return to dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/12-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:7</a></span><br />before the dust returns to the ground from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/34-15.htm">Job 34:15</a></span><br />all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/90-3.htm">Psalm 90:3</a></span><br />You return man to dust, saying, “Return, O sons of mortals.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/104-29.htm">Psalm 104:29</a></span><br />When You hide Your face, they are terrified; when You take away their breath, they die and return to dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-20.htm">Romans 8:20-22</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-53.htm">1 Corinthians 15:53-54</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-6.htm">Isaiah 40:6-8</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/10-9.htm">Job 10:9</a></span><br />Please remember that You molded me like clay. Would You now return me to dust?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/14-1.htm">Job 14:1-2</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-27.htm">Hebrews 9:27</a></span><br />Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-14.htm">James 4:14</a></span><br />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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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.</p><p class="hdg">In.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-3.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:3,13</a></b></br> What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ephesians/4-28.htm">Ephesians 4:28</a></b></br> Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with <i>his</i> hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_thessalonians/2-9.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:9</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="hdg">till.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/1-21.htm">Job 1:21</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/90-3.htm">Psalm 90:3</a></b></br> Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/104-29.htm">Psalm 104:29</a></b></br> Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.</p><p class="hdg">for dust.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/2-7.htm">Genesis 2:7</a></b></br> And the LORD God formed man <i>of</i> the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/18-27.htm">Genesis 18:27</a></b></br> And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which <i>am but</i> dust and ashes:</p><p class="hdg">and.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/23-4.htm">Genesis 23:4</a></b></br> I <i>am</i> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/17-13.htm">Job 17:13-16</a></b></br> If I wait, the grave <i>is</i> mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/19-26.htm">Job 19:26</a></b></br> And <i>though</i> after my skin <i>worms</i> destroy this <i>body</i>, yet in my flesh shall I see God:</p><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><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/3-1.htm">The serpent deceives Eve.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/3-6.htm">Both she and Adam transgress the divine command, and fall into sin.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/3-8.htm">God arraigns them.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/3-14.htm">The serpent is cursed.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/3-15.htm">The promised seed.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/3-16.htm">The punishment of mankind.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/3-21.htm">Their first clothing.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/3-22.htm">Their expulsion from paradise.</a></span><br></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 Hebrew word for "sweat" is "זֵעָה" (ze'ah), which is only used here in the Old Testament, highlighting the unique nature of this curse. The "brow" or "face" (פָּנֶיךָ, panecha) signifies the personal and direct impact of this labor. Historically, this reflects the agrarian society of ancient times, where physical labor was essential for survival. Spiritually, it underscores the shift from the ease of Eden to a life of struggle, reminding believers of the cost of sin and the need for redemption.<p><b>you will eat your bread</b><br />The phrase "eat your bread" signifies sustenance and survival. The Hebrew word for "bread" is "לֶחֶם" (lechem), which can also mean food in general. This reflects the basic necessity of life that now requires effort and labor to obtain. In a broader scriptural context, bread often symbolizes God's provision, as seen in the manna provided to the Israelites. Here, it serves as a reminder of the reliance on God for daily needs, even amidst the curse of labor.<p><b>until you return to the ground</b><br />This phrase introduces the concept of mortality. The Hebrew word for "ground" is "אֲדָמָה" (adamah), which is closely related to "אָדָם" (adam), meaning man. This connection highlights humanity's origin and destiny, as man was formed from the dust of the ground. Theologically, it underscores the consequence of sin, which is death, and the return to the earth from which man was created. It serves as a humbling reminder of human frailty and the temporal nature of life.<p><b>because out of it were you taken</b><br />This phrase reiterates the creation account, where man was formed from the dust of the ground. The Hebrew word "לָקַח" (laqach) means "taken" or "brought forth," emphasizing God's active role in creation. This serves as a reminder of humanity's dependence on God for life and existence. It also points to the intimate relationship between man and the earth, as well as the responsibility to steward it wisely.<p><b>For dust you are</b><br />The phrase "dust you are" highlights the material composition of humanity. The Hebrew word "עָפָר" (aphar) means dust or dry earth, emphasizing the humble and fragile nature of human life. This serves as a reminder of the humility required before God, acknowledging our limitations and need for His grace. It also points to the reality of human mortality and the need for spiritual renewal through Christ.<p><b>and to dust you shall return</b><br />This final phrase underscores the inevitability of death. The repetition of "dust" (עָפָר, aphar) reinforces the cycle of life and death introduced by sin. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of the Fall and the need for redemption. In a broader biblical context, it points to the hope of resurrection and eternal life through Jesus Christ, who conquered death and offers new life to all who believe.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(19) <span class= "bld">Dust thou art . . . --</span>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 <span class= "ital">per se </span>incapable of death (<span class= "ital">Analogy, </span>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.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 19.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">In the sweat of thy face</span> (so called, as having there its source and being there visible) <span class="cmt_word">shalt thou eat bread</span>. <span class="accented">I.e.</span> all food (<span class="accented">vide</span> <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>). "<span class="accented">To</span> 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>). <span class="cmt_word">Till thou return unto the ground</span> (the mortality-of man is thus assumed as certain); <span class="cmt_word">for out of it thou wast taken.</span> 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. <span class="greek">Ἐξ η΅ς ἐλήφθης</span> (LXX.); de qua sumptus es (Vulgate); "out of which thou wast taken" (Macdonald, Gesenius). On the use of <span class="hebrew">כִּי</span> as a relative pronoun - <span class="hebrew">אַשֶׁר</span> cf. Gesenius, ' Lex. sub nom.,' who quotes this and <a href="/genesis/4-25.htm">Genesis 4:25</a> as examples. <span class="accented">Vide</span> also Stanley Leathes, 'Hebrews Gram.,' p. 202; and 'Glassii Philologiae,' lib. 3. tr. 2, c. 15. p. 335. This use of <span class="hebrew">כִּי</span>, however, appears to be doubtful, and is not necessary in any of the examples quoted. <p> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/3-19.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">By the sweat</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּזֵעַ֤ת</span> <span class="translit">(bə·zê·‘aṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2188.htm">Strong's 2188: </a> </span><span class="str2">Perspiration</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of your brow</span><br /><span class="heb">אַפֶּ֙יךָ֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ap·pe·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - mdc | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_639.htm">Strong's 639: </a> </span><span class="str2">The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you will eat</span><br /><span class="heb">תֹּ֣אכַל</span> <span class="translit">(tō·ḵal)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[your] bread,</span><br /><span class="heb">לֶ֔חֶם</span> <span class="translit">(le·ḥem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3899.htm">Strong's 3899: </a> </span><span class="str2">Food, bread, grain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">until</span><br /><span class="heb">עַ֤ד</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> </span><span class="str2">As far as, even to, up to, until, while</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you return</span><br /><span class="heb">שֽׁוּבְךָ֙</span> <span class="translit">(šū·ḇə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the ground—</span><br /><span class="heb">הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ă·ḏā·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_127.htm">Strong's 127: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ground, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">because</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">out of it</span><br /><span class="heb">מִמֶּ֖נָּה</span> <span class="translit">(mim·men·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">were you taken.</span><br /><span class="heb">לֻקָּ֑חְתָּ</span> <span class="translit">(luq·qā·ḥə·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - QalPass - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">dust</span><br /><span class="heb">עָפָ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·p̄ār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6083.htm">Strong's 6083: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dust, clay, earth, mud</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you [are],</span><br /><span class="heb">אַ֔תָּה</span> <span class="translit">(’at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thou and thee, ye and you</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and to</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">dust</span><br /><span class="heb">עָפָ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·p̄ār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6083.htm">Strong's 6083: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dust, clay, earth, mud</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you {shall} return.”</span><br /><span class="heb">תָּשֽׁוּב׃</span> <span class="translit">(tā·šūḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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>