Ge 3

CHAPTER 3: THE FALL

v.1 The word serpent here is not the Hebrew word commonly used for snake. It could be translated dragon, especially since snakes are reptiles, not "beasts of the field".

v.5 Satan implies that God is not fair in withholding the knowledge of good and evil.

v.6 Eve was deceived by the serpent, but Adam willfully transgressed when he ate the fruit. She was led into sin by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life.

v.9 "Where art thou?" is the cry of a heart-broken father. God knew that Adam and Eve were the victims of their choice and that they were now in bondage to death and darkness.

v.12-13 Adam and Eve tried to shift the blame for their sin onto others.

v.15 The first promise of the Messiah: Jesus, the seed of the woman (Mary), destroyed the "head" or authority and power of Satan by His redemptive death on the cross. The cross is the second tree established by God whereby men might leave the government of death and darkness and go back into the government of life and light.

v.21 The concept of a blood sacrifice to cover sin is first introduced here as the animals are slain to provide clothing for Adam and Eve. This event foreshadows Christ's eventual death on the cross, which put an end to blood sacrifice.

v.22-24 God was merciful, not harsh, when He sent Adam and Eve away from the tree of life, because He knew they would not want to have to remain forever in their earthly, aging bodies.