Genesis 3:17

¶ And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed [is] the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat [of] it all the days of thy life;

And unto Adam {H121} he said {H559}, Because thou hast hearkened {H8085} unto the voice {H6963} of thy wife {H802}, and hast eaten {H398} of the tree {H6086}, of which {H834} I commanded thee {H6680}, saying {H559}, Thou shalt not eat {H398} of it: cursed {H779} is the ground {H127} for thy sake; in sorrow {H6093} shalt thou eat {H398} of it all {H3605} the days {H3117} of thy life {H2416};

To Adam he said, “Because you listened to what your wife said and ate from the tree about which I gave you the order, ‘You are not to eat from it,’ the ground is cursed on your account; you will work hard to eat from it as long as you live.

And to Adam He said: “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat, cursed is the ground because of you; through toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.

And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in toil shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

Commentary

Context of Genesis 3:17

Genesis 3:17 details God's pronouncement of judgment upon Adam following his disobedience in the Garden of Eden. This verse immediately follows the curse on the serpent (Genesis 3:14) and the consequences for Eve (Genesis 3:16). Adam's specific transgression was hearkening to his wife's voice and eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, an act which directly violated God's explicit command given in Genesis 2:17. This pivotal moment, often referred to as the Fall of Man, introduces sin and its far-reaching consequences into the human experience and the created world.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Consequences of Disobedience: Adam is held accountable for his direct act of rebellion against God's clear instruction. His failure to uphold his responsibility as head, instead following Eve's lead, results in a specific curse directly impacting his existence. This highlights the serious nature of sin and its consequences.
  • The Curse on the Ground: The primary impact of Adam's sin is not just on him personally, but on the very ground from which he was formed and from which he was to derive his sustenance. The word "cursed" (Hebrew: 'arar) indicates a strong, binding declaration of negative consequences, making the ground hostile and unproductive without strenuous effort.
  • Toil and Sorrow in Labor: Life for humanity is transformed from effortless provision to one of "sorrow" (Hebrew: 'itstsabown), which implies pain, grievous labor, and hardship. Eating from the ground will now require significant toil and sweat, a stark contrast to the ease of the Garden. This theme of human struggle and hard work is a direct result of sin and permeates human history, as seen in Genesis 3:19.
  • God's Justice and Order: This verse underscores God's perfect justice. While judgment is pronounced, it is a just consequence for a deliberate act of defiance against a loving Creator. It re-establishes the divine order that was broken.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "cursed" here is 'arar (אָרַר), which denotes a severe, binding curse that brings about negative consequences. It is distinct from other Hebrew words for cursing and signifies a formal declaration of doom or separation. The term "sorrow" (עִצָּבוֹן, 'itstsabown) is also significant, conveying not just emotional sadness but also pain, laborious effort, and vexation. It emphasizes the arduous nature of human existence and labor after the Fall, directly linking effort with pain and difficulty.

Practical Application and Significance

Genesis 3:17 explains why human existence is often marked by struggle, hard work, and suffering. The toil we experience in our daily lives, particularly in earning a living, is a direct echo of this curse. It reminds us of the profound impact of sin, not only on spiritual and moral dimensions but also on the physical world and our daily experience within it. However, this verse also implicitly points to the need for redemption. While the ground remains cursed for humanity's sake, the Bible also speaks of a future hope where creation itself groans for liberation and a time when the curse will be undone, as promised in the new heavens and new earth.

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Cross-References

  • Romans 8:20 (13 votes)

    For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected [the same] in hope,

  • Romans 8:22 (13 votes)

    For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

  • Genesis 5:29 (12 votes)

    And he called his name Noah, saying, This [same] shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed.

  • Isaiah 24:5 (10 votes)

    The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.

  • Isaiah 24:6 (10 votes)

    Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.

  • Ecclesiastes 2:22 (8 votes)

    For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?

  • Ecclesiastes 2:23 (8 votes)

    For all his days [are] sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.