Genesis 2:17

KJV

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

KJV (with Strong's)

But of the tree {H6086} of the knowledge {H1847} of good {H2896} and evil {H7451}, thou shalt not eat {H398} of it: for in the day {H3117} that thou eatest {H398} thereof thou shalt surely {H4191} die {H4191}.

Complete Jewish Bible

except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. You are not to eat from it, because on the day that you eat from it, it will become certain that you will die.”

Berean Standard Bible

but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die.”

American Standard Version

but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 2:17 serves as the foundational divine prohibition, establishing the boundaries of human freedom and the severe consequences of disobedience. This singular command, issued in the pristine [Garden of Eden](/genesis/2-8 "The setting of the Garden of Eden in Genesis 2:8"), unveils God's sovereign authority and lays bare the radical nature of sin, setting the stage for humanity's fall and the subsequent need for redemption. It is a stark declaration of life and death, intimately tied to the will of the Creator and the terms of humanity's flourishing.

### CONTEXT
This pivotal verse immediately follows God's benevolent provision for Adam, having placed him in the [lush Garden of Eden](/genesis/2-8 "Explore the beauty of the Garden of Eden in Genesis 2:8") and granted him free access to [eat from every tree](/genesis/2-16 "God's abundant provision in Genesis 2:16"). Genesis 2:17 introduces the singular restriction amidst this abundance, defining the terms of Adam's continued life and fellowship with God, thereby setting the dramatic tension that unfolds in the subsequent narrative of the Fall. This command highlights God's right to establish moral boundaries for His creation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 2:17 presents a clear, concise divine command with an equally clear consequence, serving as the first test of human obedience and the revelation of God's moral order.

* **"But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil"**: This specific tree represents the singular boundary God set for humanity, not as a means to withhold beneficial knowledge, but to establish His exclusive right to define [what is truly good and evil](/deuteronomy/30-19 "God's call to choose life in Deuteronomy 30:19"). To eat from it was to usurp divine prerogative, seeking autonomy from the Creator's wisdom and authority. The "knowledge of good and evil" implies not merely intellectual understanding, but the experiential capacity to determine what is right and wrong independently of God.
* **"thou shalt not eat of it"**: This concise command is the first divine law given to humanity, a direct test of obedience that underscores God's absolute sovereignty over His creation. It signifies that true life and flourishing are found in submission to God's benevolent will, rather than in self-determination. The prohibition is clear, leaving no room for misinterpretation regarding God's expectation.
* **"for in the day that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die"**: This combined phrase emphasizes the immediate and certain consequence of disobedience. The Hebrew `moth tamuth` (מוֹת תָּמוּת), an infinitive absolute, conveys the absolute certainty and severity of the outcome, literally "dying, you shall die." While Adam did not physically die on that precise calendar day, his spiritual life was immediately severed, leading to [separation from God](/genesis/3-8 "Adam and Eve hiding from God in Genesis 3:8") and the initiation of the process of physical decay and mortality. This spiritual death is powerfully described by Paul as being [dead in trespasses and sins](/ephesians/2-1 "Spiritual death in Ephesians 2:1"). The "day" signifies the moment the covenant was broken and the penalty incurred. This pronouncement reveals the radical nature of sin as a direct affront to the Author of Life, leading inexorably to death—first spiritual alienation, then physical demise. This foundational truth echoes throughout Scripture, culminating in the declaration that [the wages of sin is death](/romans/6-23 "The consequences of sin in Romans 6:23"), profoundly underscoring the need for the life offered in Christ. This dual death (spiritual and physical) is the ultimate consequence of breaking covenant with the source of life.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Sovereignty and Law:** God alone possesses the authority to establish moral boundaries and define the terms of life and death. His law is not arbitrary but flows from His holy character and benevolent design for creation, intended for humanity's good.
* **The Nature of Sin:** Sin is revealed as an act of rebellion against God's authority, a desire for autonomy that fundamentally separates humanity from the source of life. It is not merely a transgression but a reorientation of allegiance from Creator to self, a rejection of dependence.
* **The Origin of Death:** This verse definitively establishes death—both spiritual and physical—as the direct consequence of sin, not an inherent part of creation. It sets the stage for the biblical narrative of redemption, where [death is ultimately conquered through Christ](/1_corinthians/15-26 "Christ's victory over death in 1 Corinthians 15:26").
* **Human Responsibility and Free Will:** Adam was given a clear choice, highlighting humanity's moral agency and responsibility before God, even in a state of innocence, thereby establishing the basis for accountability and the justice of God's judgment.
* **Covenantal Relationship:** The command functions as a foundational covenant, establishing the terms of God's relationship with humanity: obedience leads to life, disobedience to death. This pattern recurs throughout biblical history.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 2:17 profoundly reminds us that true freedom and flourishing are found not in defying God's commands, but in joyful submission to His wisdom and authority. Our choices today, like Adam's, carry eternal weight, underscoring the seriousness of sin and our ongoing need to trust and obey God's Word, which always leads to life and peace, rather than seeking to define truth on our own terms. This verse calls us to recognize God's absolute right to define good and evil, and to align our lives with His revealed will, understanding that His boundaries are for our ultimate well-being.

### FAQ
**Why did God place the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the Garden if He didn't want Adam to eat from it?**

Answer: God placed the tree in the Garden as a test of Adam's obedience and loyalty. It provided humanity with the genuine choice to love and obey God freely, or to rebel. Without the possibility of disobedience, there could be no true obedience or genuine relationship based on free will. It was not a trap, but an opportunity for humanity to affirm its dependence on and trust in its Creator.

**What kind of "death" is implied by "thou shalt surely die"?**

Answer: The "death" implied is multifaceted. Immediately upon eating, Adam and Eve experienced spiritual death, which is a separation from God and the loss of intimate fellowship (evidenced by their hiding from God in [Genesis 3:8](/genesis/3-8 "Adam and Eve hiding from God in Genesis 3:8")). This spiritual death initiated a process that would inevitably lead to physical death, as their bodies became subject to decay and mortality. The phrase `moth tamuth` (dying, you shall die) suggests a progressive and certain demise, encompassing both the immediate spiritual alienation and the eventual physical cessation of life.

**Does this verse imply that God is withholding good knowledge from humanity?**

Answer: No, the "knowledge of good and evil" is not about intellectual understanding of facts, but about the prerogative to define what is good and evil independently of God. God is not withholding beneficial knowledge; rather, He is asserting His exclusive right as Creator to establish moral truth. To eat from the tree was to claim autonomy from God's moral authority, seeking to be "like God" in defining one's own reality, which is inherently destructive for created beings.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 2:17, with its stark pronouncement of death as the consequence of disobedience, sets the stage for the necessity of Christ. Adam's failure to obey brought sin and death into the world, leading to the universal condemnation of humanity. Christ, as the "last Adam" ([1 Corinthians 15:45](/1_corinthians/15-45 "Christ as the last Adam in 1 Corinthians 15:45")), perfectly fulfilled the obedience that Adam failed to render. He voluntarily submitted to the Father's will, even unto death on the cross, thereby conquering the very death that Genesis 2:17 foretold. Through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, Christ reversed the curse of sin and death, offering eternal life to all who believe, transforming the "surely die" into an invitation to "surely live" in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.