Genesis 3:16-24 Cursed and Kicked Out

”To the woman He said, I will greatly increase your sorrow and your conception. In pain you shall bear sons, and your desire shall be toward your husband, and he shall rule over you. “

A lot of people cling to the fact that Adam holds the responsibility for being the first to sin. However, it was Eve that sinned first and it was Eve that received the first punishment, or was it to or through Eve?

Notice in the first part of the curse. In most Bibles, the Hebrew word, האשׁה , nawsheem, is translated as “the woman”. In reality it should be translated as women. As an example, notice the difference between the two Hebrew words, האשׁה , nawsheem, women used here in genesis 3:16 and לאשׁה, ish-shaw, woman as used in Genesis 3:13. In Genesis 3:13, G-d was talking directly to Eve, while in Genesis 3:16, he was talking about women in general.

What does this mean? It means that because of Eves sin, all women will suffer the ramifications. This illumination of G-ds Word also gives us insight as to the age old question, “Why was Cain so afraid of the other people on Earth when G-d kicked him out of the protected environment of his mother and father?” Cain knew what had happened to mankind as a result of his mother and fathers sin. He was afraid of what the others would do to him as a result. We’ll go further into it when we get to the story of Cain and Abel.

What were the ramifications of Eves sin and resulting curse? All future childbirth would be physical, not spiritual as it had been up to that moment in time. In physical childbirth, there will be great pain. This is a great difference from the “no pain” spiritual childbirth they had been experiencing. In addition, to the painful childbirth, womens desire would be toward their husband. The word, desire, is the Hebrew word, teshookaw, which means to yearn for ones affection or protection.

In the spiritual realm, man and woman were of equal stature. However, from this moment on, women would be physically inferior to men. Now does that mean that men would be superior overall to woman? No. However, as a result of Eves sin, women would suffer the punishment of being physically inferior, that’s all. Therefore, women would physically require mans physical protection in this world.

Are there exceptions? Yes. As sin continues to degrade our physical DNA, you will see mutations where women take on the characteristics of a man and visa-versa. However, as a rule, women will be physically inferior to men and be ruled or dominated by them. Will it be that way in the Kingdom of G-d? No. The effects of sin on our post resurrection bodies will be no more. Requiring mans protection would be a constant reminder of what had happen and what would be required for the salvation of their souls.

”And to Adam He said, Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree, of which I commanded you, saying, You shall not eat of it! The ground is cursed for your sake. In pain shall you eat of it all the days of your life. It shall also bring forth thorns and thistles to you, and you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return. “

The same thing here. As a result of Adam listening to his companion, all mankind would now suffer the consequences of his actions. Instead of G-d supplying all their needs, all mankind would have to work for it. It wouldn’t be easy, for G-d will now allow obstacles to be in the way. Thus begins the human physical cycle of birth, life and death and eventual return to the ground from which we came. However, keep in mind that physical death from sin is the only thing we will experience as human beings. Spiritual life or death is nothing like what we experience in our physical bodies and depends solely on our relationship with the one who created us in the first place.

”And Adam called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. “

Simply put, all physical life as we know it began with Adams companion. Therefore, he named her Eve which means mother of all living.

”And for Adam and his wife God made coats of skins, and clothed them. “

An interesting point missed by most commentators. Why did G-d give them clothing when they already had fig leaves. I heard some commentators say that this was G-d caring for them. He knew that the fig leaves would not last very long therefore he made them coats of skin. That sounds very practical and most likely is true. However, it’s pretty naïve and shows their lack of understanding of G-ds Word. It also reveals the reason why most believers are in the condition they’re in. Most commentators are teachers and/or preachers and their shallow understanding comes through thier teaching. Simply put, if they are saying this is the only reason, then they are not digging deep into G-ds Word and thereby leading those who “follow” them along a shallow path that will not lead them to a close relationship with the G-d of the universe.

The main reason G-d gave them coats of skins was to show them that they cannot cover themselves. Also, coats of skins required G-d to shed the blood of an innocent animal in order to cover them. Even though the Bible doesn’t tell us what animal G-d sacrificed for their skins, I would not be surprised if it was a lamb. The sacrifice of an innocent in order to cover them models the exact same thing that G-d will do for all mankind approximately 4000 years later on a cross.

”And God said, Behold, the man has become as one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put forth his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever, therefore Jehovah God sent him out from the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he had been taken. And He drove out the man. And He placed cherubs at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life. “

”… has become as one of Us… “ has led a lot of people down an erroneous path of understanding. The word, us, is not in this verse or even implied. With it in there, it implies that as soon as we know the difference between good and evil, or obedience and disobedience, we become like G-d. No. Emphatically…No. This verse should simply read ”And God said, Behold, the man has become as one to know good and evil.” or “one that knows the difference between obedience and disobedience. ” This verse simply says that man, knowing the difference between obedience and disobedience, doesn’t have a right to the tree of life and should be kicked out. Therefore G-d kicked him out.

” And He placed cherubs at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life. “

This has always been interesting to me. Obviously, G-d didn’t want man to enter back into the garden. So much, that G-d put super angels at the east entrance in order to prevent re-entry. This begs the questions: If the cherubs weren’t guarding the entrance, could we re-enter the garden? I think so. I believe that we will enter G-ds Kingdom through Edens eastern gate.