Genesis 3:2
Genesis 3:2 in Multiple Translations
The woman answered the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden,
And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
And the woman said unto the serpent, Of the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat:
And the woman said, We may take of the fruit of the trees in the garden:
Eve replied to the serpent, “We can eat from the trees in the garden, but not the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden.
And the woman said vnto the serpent, We eate of the fruite of the trees of the garden,
And the woman saith unto the serpent, 'Of the fruit of the trees of the garden we do eat,
The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees of the garden,
And the woman said to the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
And the woman answered him, saying: Of the fruit of the trees that are in paradise we do eat:
The woman replied, “What God said was, ‘Do not eat the fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the park/garden or touch it. If you do that, you will die. But you can eat fruit from any of the other trees.’”
The woman said, “No, that’s not true. We can eat fruit from those trees there in the garden.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 3:2
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 3:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/תֹּ֥אמֶר
הָֽ/אִשָּׁ֖ה
אֶל
הַ/נָּחָ֑שׁ
מִ/פְּרִ֥י
עֵֽץ
הַ/גָּ֖ן
נֹאכֵֽל
וַ/תֹּ֥אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
הָֽ/אִשָּׁ֖ה
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
Art | N-fs
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
הַ/נָּחָ֑שׁ
nâchâsh
H5175
serpent
Art | N-ms
מִ/פְּרִ֥י
pᵉrîy
H6529
fruit
Prep | N-ms
עֵֽץ
ʻêts
H6086
tree
N-ms
הַ/גָּ֖ן
gan
H1588
garden
Art | N-cs
נֹאכֵֽל
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
V-Qal-Imperf-1cp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 3:2
וַ/תֹּ֥אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
הָֽ/אִשָּׁ֖ה
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
Art | N-fs
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
הַ/נָּחָ֑שׁ
nâchâsh
H5175
"serpent"
Art | N-ms
A serpent is a snake, often symbolizing evil, as in Genesis 3:1 where the serpent tempts Eve. It can also represent danger or harm.
Definition: 1) serpent, snake 1a) serpent 1b) image (of serpent) 1c) fleeing serpent (mythological)
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: serpent. See also: Genesis 3:1; Psalms 58:5; Psalms 140:4.
מִ/פְּרִ֥י
pᵉrîy
H6529
"fruit"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this word means the fruit that comes from the ground or from our actions. It is used in many books, including Genesis and Isaiah, to describe the results of our labor or the consequences of our choices.
Definition: 1) fruit 1a) fruit, produce (of the ground) 1b) fruit, offspring, children, progeny (of the womb) 1c) fruit (of actions) (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 107 OT verses. KJV: bough, (first-)fruit(-ful), reward. See also: Genesis 1:11; Proverbs 18:20; Psalms 1:3.
עֵֽץ
ʻêts
H6086
"tree"
N-ms
This Hebrew word for tree or wood refers to a strong and firm object, like a tree or a wooden plank, as seen in the carpentry work of Jesus' earthly father Joseph in Matthew 13:55.
Definition: : wood 1) tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows 1a) tree, trees 1b) wood, pieces of wood, gallows, firewood, cedar-wood, woody flax
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood. See also: Genesis 1:11; Joshua 9:23; Psalms 1:3.
הַ/גָּ֖ן
gan
H1588
"garden"
Art | N-cs
The word for garden refers to an enclosed area, like the Garden of Eden. It can also symbolize a bride or a place for plants.
Definition: 1) garden, enclosure 1a) enclosed garden 1a1) (fig. of a bride) 1b) garden (of plants) 1c) Garden of Eden
Usage: Occurs in 37 OT verses. KJV: garden. See also: Genesis 2:8; 2 Kings 25:4; Isaiah 51:3.
נֹאכֵֽל
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cp
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
Study Notes — Genesis 3:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 3:2 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 3:2
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 3:2
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 3:2
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 3:2
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 3:2
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 3:2
- Sermons on Genesis 3:2
Context — The Serpent’s Deception
1Now 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?’”
2The woman answered the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden,
3but about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You must not eat of it or touch it, or you will die.’” 4“You will not surely die,” the serpent told the woman.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 58:4 | Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like a cobra that shuts its ears, |
Genesis 3:2 Summary
In this verse, the woman is responding to the serpent's question about what God said regarding eating from the trees in the garden. She says that they can eat from the trees, but there is one tree that they are not allowed to eat from, as God had commanded in Genesis 2:17. This shows that the woman had some knowledge of God's command, but may have been uncertain or misinformed about the specifics. We can learn from this verse the importance of being clear about God's commands and being cautious when interacting with those who may be trying to deceive us, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 4:4.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the woman answer the serpent by referencing the trees in the garden?
The woman answered the serpent by referencing the trees in the garden because she was attempting to clarify God's original command, as stated in Genesis 2:16-17, to only eat from certain trees.
What does the woman's response reveal about her understanding of God's command?
The woman's response reveals that she had some knowledge of God's command, but may have been uncertain or misinformed about the specifics, as seen in her partial quotation of God's words in Genesis 2:17.
How does the serpent's question in Genesis 3:1 relate to the woman's response in Genesis 3:2?
The serpent's question in Genesis 3:1 was a clever attempt to deceive the woman by twisting God's words, and the woman's response in Genesis 3:2 shows that she was already somewhat uncertain about God's command, making her more vulnerable to the serpent's deception.
What can we learn from the woman's interaction with the serpent in this verse?
We can learn from the woman's interaction with the serpent that it is essential to be firmly grounded in God's Word, as stated in Psalm 119:11, and to be cautious when interacting with those who may be trying to deceive us, as warned in 1 Peter 5:8.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be unclear or misinformed about God's commands in my own life, and how can I seek clarity?
- How can I be more mindful of the potential for deception and twisting of God's words in my daily interactions?
- What role does doubt and uncertainty play in my own spiritual journey, and how can I seek to overcome it?
- In what ways can I apply the lesson of being firmly grounded in God's Word to my own life, and what practices can I adopt to help me stay grounded?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 3:2
And the woman said unto the serpent,.... Or to him that spoke in the serpent, which she might take to be a messenger from heaven, a holy angel: had she known who it was, she might be chargeable with
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 3:2
And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden. Eve answered well.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 3:2
No notes from Poole on this verse.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 3:2
Genesis 3:2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:Ver. 2. And the woman said unto the serpent.] Our first parents were not, in the state of innocency, silly and witless, like young children, as Socinians make them; but very knowing, though but of small experience. But if they fell the same day wherein they were created, as most hold, how sudden was the serpent’ s seducing, the woman’ s consenting, Adam’ s yielding, and God’ s executing! ημεραεπλασθηκαιεξηλασθη
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 3:2
2. the woman, &c.] The woman is quick to correct the error into which she fancies the serpent has fallen, and to defend the generosity of the Lord.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 3:2
2. The woman said — Her pausing to parley with so serious a temptation was a fearful mistake. To entertain the thoughts of an evil spirit is the sure way to become partaker of some measure of his nature.
Sermons on Genesis 3:2
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
John 1:1 by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom emphasizes the divine inspiration behind the words spoken by the Apostle John, highlighting the heavenly wisdom and power that transcends human understanding. Despi |
|
Why People Oppose the Doctrine by Harmon A. Baldwin | Harmon A. Baldwin addresses the various reasons for opposition to the doctrine and experience of entire sanctification. Some oppose due to false ideas of holiness standards, while |