Genesis 3:16

KJV

¶ Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire [shall be] to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

Unto the woman {H802} he said {H559}, I will greatly {H7235} multiply {H7235} thy sorrow {H6093} and thy conception {H2032}; in sorrow {H6089} thou shalt bring forth {H3205} children {H1121}; and thy desire {H8669} shall be to thy husband {H376}, and he shall rule {H4910} over thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

To the woman he said, “I will greatly increase your pain in childbirth. You will bring forth children in pain. Your desire will be toward your husband, but he will rule over you.”

Berean Standard Bible

To the woman He said: “I will sharply increase your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”

American Standard Version

Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy pain and thy conception; in pain thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 3:16 records God’s solemn pronouncement of judgment upon the woman, Eve, immediately following her disobedience and the Fall in the Garden of Eden. This pivotal verse delineates two profound and enduring consequences of humanity's sin: a dramatic multiplication of pain and sorrow associated with childbearing, and a fundamental distortion of the marital relationship, characterized by a struggle for influence and the husband's subsequent, often problematic, exercise of rule. It marks a foundational shift from the pre-Fall harmony and mutual partnership to a world now deeply burdened by the pervasive effects of sin, setting the stage for the ongoing human experience of hardship and relational tension.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the divine judgments delivered by God in [Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "Genesis 3 - The Fall and Its Consequences"), immediately following the human rebellion against God's explicit command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. After the serpent's deceptive act in [Genesis 3:1-5](/genesis/3-1-5 "Genesis 3:1-5 - The Serpent's Deception"), Eve's decision to partake in the forbidden fruit, and Adam's complicity in [Genesis 3:6](/genesis/3-6 "Genesis 3:6 - Eve and Adam Eat the Forbidden Fruit"), God systematically addresses each party involved in the transgression. Genesis 3:16 specifically details the consequences for the woman, directly preceding the curse pronounced upon Adam and the ground in [Genesis 3:17-19](/genesis/3-17-19 "Genesis 3:17-19 - Adam's Curse and Toil"). This entire section of divine pronouncements stands in stark contrast to the harmonious creation described in [Genesis 1-2](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account") and sets the stage for the entire biblical narrative of redemption, beginning with the protoevangelium in [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near Eastern context often viewed childbearing as a woman's primary role and source of honor, making the introduction of "sorrow" and "pain" in this sphere a significant pronouncement of judgment. Furthermore, the concept of male headship was prevalent in ancient societies, but Genesis 3:16 describes a *distortion* of the pre-Fall relationship, not its original design. The original creation account in [Genesis 2:18-25](/genesis/2-18-25 "Genesis 2:18-25 - The Creation of Woman and Marriage") depicts a relationship of mutual companionship and partnership, where the woman is created as a "helper suitable" for the man, implying equality and interdependence. The pronouncement in Genesis 3:16, therefore, is not a cultural endorsement but a divine explanation of how sin would corrupt this ideal, leading to struggles for power and hierarchical imbalances within marriage that were not part of God's initial perfect plan.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 3:16 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the **pervasiveness of sin** and its immediate, tangible consequences, demonstrating how rebellion against God impacts not only spiritual standing but also fundamental human experiences like procreation and interpersonal relationships. It highlights the **distortion of creation order**, showing how the harmonious design for humanity and marriage, established in [Genesis 1:27-28](/genesis/1-27-28 "Genesis 1:27-28 - Creation of Humanity in God's Image") and [Genesis 2:24](/genesis/2-24 "Genesis 2:24 - Institution of Marriage"), is tragically broken. Furthermore, this verse, embedded within a chapter that also contains the first promise of a redeemer in [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium"), introduces the theme of **divine judgment interwoven with grace**, signaling that even in the midst of consequences, God's redemptive plan is already at work to address the brokenness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
God's pronouncement to the woman reveals the profound and far-reaching impact of sin on human existence, particularly in two spheres central to her life: procreation and relationship. The declaration, "I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children," points to a new reality for motherhood. While childbearing was part of the original creation mandate for fruitfulness, the Fall introduces an intensified experience of pain and toil. The latter part of the verse, "and thy desire [shall be] to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee," speaks to a fundamental distortion within the marital relationship, moving from mutual partnership to a dynamic marked by tension and a struggle for power.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sorrow (Hebrew, _ʻitstsâbôwn'_):** This word (H6093) refers to worrisomeness, labor, or pain. It signifies the grievous toil and anguish that will now accompany the process of conception and childbirth. This term is notably echoed in [Genesis 3:17](/genesis/3-17 "Genesis 3:17 - Adam's Curse") when God curses the ground for Adam's sake, using a related root (H6089, `ʻetseb`). This linguistic parallel underscores a shared human experience of hardship and struggle that enters the world through sin, affecting both the physical labor of man and the procreative labor of woman. It is not a curse on childbearing itself, but a description of the painful reality now accompanying it in a fallen world.
* **Desire (Hebrew, _tᵉshûwqâh'_):** This highly significant word (H8669) appears only two other times in the Old Testament. In [Genesis 4:7](/genesis/4-7 "Genesis 4:7 - Cain's Offering and Sin's Desire"), it describes sin's aggressive "desire" to master Cain ("sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it"). In [Song of Solomon 7:10](/song_of_solomon/7-10 "Song of Solomon 7:10 - A Lover's Desire"), it speaks of a lover's longing. In the context of judgment in Genesis 3:16, the *teshuqah* of the woman towards her husband is widely understood not as a simple romantic longing, but as a distorted yearning, perhaps a desire for control or a struggle for mastery within the relationship. This interpretation aligns with the subsequent statement that "he shall rule over thee," indicating a power struggle.
* **Rule (Hebrew, _mâshal'_):** This primitive root (H4910) means to rule, have dominion, or govern. In the context of Genesis 3:16, it indicates a hierarchical ordering that emerges as a consequence of sin, where the husband will now exercise authority over his wife. This is a description of the brokenness that enters the relationship, rather than a divine prescription for an ideal marital dynamic. The original design of mutual partnership and help (as seen in [Genesis 2:18](/genesis/2-18 "Genesis 2:18 - A Helper Suitable")) is now marred by tension, a struggle for power, and a hierarchical ordering born of the Fall.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception;":** God directly addresses Eve, declaring a profound increase in the pain and suffering associated with the entire process of procreation, from conception through gestation. The doubling of the Hebrew root for "multiply" (`râbâh`) emphasizes the intensity and certainty of this increased hardship. This consequence directly impacts a sphere of life uniquely tied to the woman's physical being and her role in bringing forth life.
* **"in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children;":** This clause specifies the primary manifestation of the multiplied sorrow: the act of childbirth itself will be accompanied by intense pain and anguish. This is a stark contrast to any pre-Fall ideal of effortless procreation, highlighting how sin contaminates even the most natural and divinely ordained processes, transforming what should be a joyful act into one fraught with physical and emotional distress.
* **"and thy desire [shall be] to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.":** This final, complex clause describes the relational consequences of the Fall. The woman's "desire" (as explored in Key Word Analysis) is interpreted by many scholars as a yearning for control or an inclination to usurp authority, leading to a struggle within the marital dynamic. In response to this distorted desire, or perhaps as a direct consequence of the Fall's impact on human relationships, the husband will "rule" over her. This is presented as a descriptive outcome of sin's corruption, not a divine endorsement of oppressive patriarchy, but rather an explanation of the imbalanced power dynamics that will now plague human relationships, particularly within marriage.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 3:16 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Parallelism** is evident in the two main consequences outlined: the sorrow in childbearing and the relational dynamic between husband and wife. Both are presented as direct results of the Fall, creating a thematic link between physical suffering and relational brokenness. **Repetition** of the word "sorrow" (or related roots) emphasizes the pervasive nature of pain introduced by sin, linking the woman's experience in childbirth to Adam's toil in the ground. The phrase "greatly multiply" serves as **hyperbole** to underscore the intensified suffering. Furthermore, the verse uses **metonymy** where "conception" and "children" stand for the entire process and outcome of procreation, while "husband" and "rule" represent the new, strained marital dynamic. The entire passage functions as a **pronouncement of judgment**, a formal, declarative statement of divine consequence, which carries significant weight and authority, shaping the narrative of human existence post-Fall.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 3:16 stands as a profound theological statement on the immediate and enduring consequences of humanity's rebellion against God. It reveals how sin, far from being a mere spiritual transgression, deeply impacts the physical body and fundamental human relationships, distorting God's original design for harmony and mutual flourishing. The pain in childbearing and the relational tension within marriage are presented not as arbitrary punishments, but as the natural, albeit divinely ordained, outworking of a broken relationship with the Creator. This verse underscores the pervasive nature of sin's corruption, touching every aspect of human experience and demonstrating humanity's desperate need for divine intervention and redemption to restore what was lost.

* [Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Romans 5:12 - Sin Enters the World Through One Man")
* [Ephesians 5:21-33](/ephesians/5-21-33 "Ephesians 5:21-33 - Wives and Husbands")
* [1 Timothy 2:11-15](/1_timothy/2-11-15 "1 Timothy 2:11-15 - Women in the Church")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 3:16 confronts us with the sobering reality of a fallen world and helps us understand the origin of the pain, struggle, and relational brokenness we experience today. It reminds us that the difficulties in childbirth, the tensions within marital relationships, and the broader struggles for power are not God's original design but rather the tragic consequences of sin's entry into the world. For believers, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of our desperate need for redemption and the transformative power of Christ to bring healing and restoration to all broken areas of life. It calls us to look beyond the symptoms of a fallen world to the root cause—sin—and to embrace the grace offered through Christ that enables us to live counter-culturally, pursuing mutual love and submission in marriage, and finding strength and hope even amidst life's sorrows. It also encourages empathy for the struggles of others, recognizing that all humanity shares in the consequences of the Fall.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding Genesis 3:16 change your perspective on the pain and challenges experienced in childbirth or within marital relationships today?**
* **In what ways might the "desire" mentioned in this verse manifest in modern relationships, and how can grace help navigate these tensions?**
* **How does the New Testament's teaching on marriage (e.g., mutual submission, sacrificial love) offer a redemptive counterpoint to the consequences described in Genesis 3:16?**

### FAQ
**Is this verse a curse on women specifically, or a description of consequences?**

Answer: While often colloquially referred to as a "curse," Genesis 3:16 is more accurately understood as a pronouncement of the *consequences* of sin for the woman, just as Adam and the ground face their own specific consequences in [Genesis 3:17-19](/genesis/3-17-19 "Genesis 3:17-19 - Adam's Curse and Toil"). It describes the painful realities that would now accompany childbearing and marital relationships due to the Fall, rather than a punitive curse on being female. It highlights the brokenness that enters human experience due to sin.

**What does 'desire' mean in 'thy desire shall be to thy husband'?**

Answer: The Hebrew word *teshuqah* (H8669) is complex and debated, but in this context of judgment, many scholars interpret it as a distorted desire, possibly a yearning for control or a struggle for power within the relationship, rather than a simple romantic longing. This interpretation aligns with its usage in [Genesis 4:7](/genesis/4-7 "Genesis 4:7 - Sin's Desire for Cain"), where sin's "desire" is to master Cain. Thus, it highlights the relational tension and power struggle introduced by sin into the marital dynamic.

**Does this verse mean that husbands are supposed to dominate their wives?**

Answer: No. The husband's "rule" (H4910, *mâshal*) is presented as a consequence of the Fall, a description of the brokenness and hierarchical distortion that enters the relationship due to sin, not as God's ideal or original design for marriage. The pre-Fall relationship in [Genesis 2](/genesis/2 "Genesis 2 - The Creation of Man and Woman") depicts mutual partnership. The New Testament consistently calls husbands to sacrificial love and leadership modeled after Christ's love for the Church, not domination, as clearly articulated in passages like [Ephesians 5:25-33](/ephesians/5-25-33 "Ephesians 5:25-33 - Husbands, Love Your Wives").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 3:16, while detailing the painful consequences of sin, implicitly points to the profound and indispensable need for Christ. The intensified pain in childbearing and the relational brokenness between husband and wife reveal the deep brokenness of humanity and creation itself, a condition that only Christ can redeem. Jesus, through His perfect life, atoning death on the cross, and victorious resurrection, entered into the full weight of the curse, becoming a curse for us so that we might be redeemed from it, as powerfully articulated in [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse"). His life and teaching offer the pathway to restoring relationships, moving from conflict and domination to mutual love, respect, and submission, exemplified by His sacrificial love for the church, which serves as the ultimate model for marital love (as seen in [Ephesians 5:25-33](/ephesians/5-25-33 "Ephesians 5:25-33 - Christ's Example for Marriage")). Ultimately, Christ's redemptive work anticipates a new creation where the sorrows and pains described in this verse will be no more, a glorious future promised in [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears or Pain"), where God will wipe away every tear and death, mourning, crying, and pain will be no more.

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.

Cross-References

Titus 2:5

[To be] discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Colossians 3:18

¶ Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 11:3

But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman [is] the man; and the head of Christ [is] God.

1 Timothy 2:15

Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

Ephesians 5:22

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

Ephesians 5:24

Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so [let] the wives [be] to their own husbands in every thing.

1 Corinthians 14:34

¶ Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law.