Genesis 3:20

KJV

¶ And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Adam {H120} called {H7121} his wife's {H802} name {H8034} Eve {H2332}; because she was the mother {H517} of all living {H2416}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The man called his wife Havah [life], because she was the mother of all living.

Berean Standard Bible

And Adam named his wife Eve, because she would be the mother of all the living.

American Standard Version

And the man called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 3:20 records Adam's profound act of naming his wife "Eve," a name signifying "life" or "life-giver," immediately following the pronouncement of judgment and the introduction of death into the world. This pivotal moment reveals Adam's remarkable faith and hope in God's redemptive promise, looking beyond the immediate consequences of the Fall to the future continuation of humanity and the eventual fulfillment of the "protoevangelium" through the woman's offspring. It is a testament to God's enduring grace and His sovereign plan for life even amidst the reality of sin and mortality.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed directly after God's pronouncements of curses upon the serpent, Eve, and Adam in [Genesis 3:14-19](/genesis/3-14-19 "The Curses Following the Fall"). Adam has just heard the grim reality of his own mortality—that he would "return to the dust" ([Genesis 3:19](/genesis/3-19 "Adam's Return to Dust"))—and the arduous toil that would characterize his life. Yet, nestled within these judgments, God had already given the first glimmer of hope, the "protoevangelium," promising that the "seed" of the woman would ultimately bruise the serpent's head ([Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "The Protoevangelium: Promise of a Redeemer")). Adam's naming of his wife, transitioning from the generic "Woman" ([Genesis 2:23](/genesis/2-23 "Adam Names the Woman")) to "Eve," is his faith-filled response to this divine promise, affirming life in the face of death and anticipating the promised offspring.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, naming was far more than a mere label; it was an act of authority, often reflecting the character, destiny, or circumstances surrounding the birth or life of the named individual. For Adam to name his wife "Eve" (Hebrew: *Chavvah*, related to *chay*, meaning "life" or "living") after the pronouncement of death underscored a profound theological truth and a prophetic declaration. It demonstrated Adam's understanding and acceptance of his role as head, and his spiritual insight into God's ongoing plan for humanity. This act also highlights the patriarchal structure prevalent in the culture, where the man had the authority to name his wife, though here it is exercised in an act of faith and hope rather than mere dominion.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 3:20 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully illustrates the theme of **Hope Amidst Judgment**, showing that even in the immediate aftermath of humanity's catastrophic fall, God provides a basis for future life and redemption. It reinforces **Divine Sovereignty and Redemptive Purpose**, demonstrating that God's plan for humanity's continuation and the eventual defeat of evil remains intact despite human sin. The act of naming itself underscores the **Prophetic Significance of Naming** in Scripture, where names often reveal character, destiny, or a theological truth. Furthermore, it highlights the **Preservation of Humanity and Lineage**, ensuring the survival and proliferation of the human race, thereby preserving the very lineage through which the promised Redeemer would eventually come, a theme foreshadowed in [Genesis 5](/genesis/5 "The Generations from Adam to Noah") and culminating in the lineage of Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Eve (Hebrew, _Chavvâh'_):** From H2332, causatively from חָוָה; "life-giver." This name, bestowed by Adam, is not merely descriptive but prophetic. It signifies her foundational role as the source of all human life, particularly in light of the divine promise of a "seed" ([Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "The Protoevangelium")) who would come through her lineage. Despite the curse of increased pain in childbirth ([Genesis 3:16](/genesis/3-16 "The Curse on the Woman")), her identity is inextricably linked to life and procreation.
* **mother (Hebrew, _ʼêm'_):** From H517, a primitive word meaning "a mother (as the bond of the family)." This word emphasizes Eve's unique and indispensable role in the continuation of the human race. She is not just *a* mother, but *the* mother, the progenitor from whom all future generations would descend. This title underscores the divine purpose for procreation even after the Fall, ensuring the preservation of humanity and the line of promise.
* **living (Hebrew, _chay'_):** From H2416, meaning "alive." This word, used here in the plural ("all living"), contrasts sharply with the immediate context of death and mortality. Adam's choice to name Eve based on her being the "mother of all living" demonstrates a profound faith in God's ability to sustain life and fulfill His promises, even when the shadow of death has fallen upon creation. It speaks to the ongoing vibrancy and continuation of the human race despite the consequences of sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Adam called his wife's name Eve;":** This clause reveals Adam's sovereign act of naming, an exercise of authority given by God, but more importantly, an act of faith. Previously, in [Genesis 2:23](/genesis/2-23 "Adam's First Naming of Woman"), Adam had called her "Woman" (*ishshah*), recognizing her as "bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh." Here, after the Fall and the pronouncements of judgment, he renames her "Eve" (*Chavvah*), which carries the meaning of "life-giver." This renaming is not arbitrary but deeply significant, demonstrating Adam's spiritual perception and his hope in God's redemptive plan, particularly the promise of a future offspring who would confront the serpent ([Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "The Protoevangelium")).
* **"because she was the mother of all living.":** This explanatory clause provides the theological rationale for Adam's choice of name. Despite the introduction of death and the curse upon the ground, Eve's primary role as the progenitor of humanity remains intact. She is the conduit through whom life will continue, ensuring the fulfillment of God's original command to "be fruitful and multiply" ([Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "God's Command to Be Fruitful and Multiply")) and, crucially, the lineage through which the promised "seed" would come. This phrase highlights God's faithfulness to His creative design and His unwavering commitment to His redemptive purposes, even in the face of human rebellion.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 3:20 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Symbolism**, where the name "Eve" itself becomes a powerful symbol of life in the face of death. Adam's act of naming is also an instance of **Prophetic Naming**, a common biblical motif where a name foreshadows a person's future role or destiny, or a significant event. Here, "Eve" (life-giver) prophetically declares her role as the mother of all humanity, despite the curse. The verse also presents a profound **Paradox**: life is affirmed and celebrated at the very moment death enters the world. This juxtaposition highlights the tension between the consequences of sin and the enduring grace and redemptive purposes of God. Finally, there is an element of **Irony**, as the woman, through whom sin entered the world, is simultaneously affirmed as the source of all future life, including the promised Redeemer.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 3:20 stands as a profound theological statement, revealing God's unwavering commitment to His redemptive plan even in the immediate aftermath of humanity's catastrophic fall. Adam's act of naming, rooted in faith, transforms a moment of judgment into a declaration of hope, acknowledging God's sovereignty over life and death. It underscores that while sin brought mortality, God's purpose for humanity's continuation and the ultimate defeat of evil remains steadfast. This verse thus serves as an early testament to the enduring nature of God's covenant promises and His gracious provision for a future beyond the curse.

* [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "God's Command to Be Fruitful and Multiply")
* [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "The Protoevangelium: Promise of a Redeemer")
* [Romans 5:12-21](/romans/5-12-21 "Adam and Christ: Sin and Grace")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 3:20 offers a powerful lesson for believers today: even in the darkest valleys of life, when circumstances seem to scream despair and death, we are called to fix our gaze on God's enduring promises and declare life. Adam, having just heard the pronouncement of his own mortality, chose to name his wife "Life," demonstrating a profound act of faith that looked beyond immediate judgment to God's redemptive plan. This challenges us to cultivate a similar faith, trusting that God's purposes will prevail, that His grace is sufficient, and that He can bring forth life even from the ashes of our failures and suffering. It reminds us that our hope is not in our circumstances, but in the faithful character of God, who is the ultimate source of all life and who has promised a future beyond the curse of sin.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Adam's act of naming Eve "life" in the face of death challenge my perspective on difficult circumstances in my own life?**
* **In what areas of my life am I called to declare "life" (hope, faith, truth) when the world or my circumstances seem to declare "death" (despair, fear, defeat)?**
* **How does this verse deepen my understanding of God's faithfulness and His unwavering commitment to His redemptive plan, even after humanity's fall?**

### FAQ
**Why did Adam name his wife "Eve" after the Fall, when he had previously called her "Woman"?**

Answer: Adam's renaming of his wife from "Woman" ([Genesis 2:23](/genesis/2-23 "Adam's First Naming of Woman")) to "Eve" (Hebrew: *Chavvah*, meaning "life-giver") after the Fall is a profound act of faith and prophetic insight. It signifies his belief in God's promise of a future "seed" ([Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "The Protoevangelium")) who would overcome the serpent. This renaming indicates Adam's understanding that despite the introduction of sin and death, life would continue through her lineage, and redemption would ultimately come. It's an affirmation of hope in God's plan amidst the dire consequences of disobedience.

**What is the significance of Eve being called "the mother of all living"?**

Answer: This title emphasizes Eve's foundational and indispensable role in the continuation of the human race. Despite the curse and the entry of death into the world, God's original command to "be fruitful and multiply" ([Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "God's Command to Be Fruitful and Multiply")) remains in effect. This designation highlights God's faithfulness to His creative design and His plan to preserve humanity, ensuring the lineage through which the promised Redeemer would eventually come. It underscores that even in judgment, God provides for the perpetuation of life and the unfolding of His redemptive purpose.

**Does Adam's act of naming Eve imply his understanding of the "protoevangelium" in Genesis 3:15?**

Answer: Yes, Adam's renaming of his wife strongly implies his understanding and acceptance of the "protoevangelium" (the first gospel promise) given in [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "The Protoevangelium: Promise of a Redeemer"). By naming her "Eve" (life), he demonstrates a profound belief that despite sin and death, life will continue through her, and the promised deliverer—the "seed" who would crush the serpent—would indeed come from her descendants. It is an act of hope rooted in God's redemptive word, showcasing a nascent faith that anticipates God's future work of salvation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 3:20, though set in the earliest chapters of human history, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate source of life in Jesus Christ. Adam's act of naming Eve "mother of all living" is a testament to his faith in God's promise of a future "seed" ([Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "The Protoevangelium: Promise of a Redeemer")) who would bring life out of death. This promise finds its complete and glorious fulfillment in Jesus, the true "Life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")) and the "last Adam" ([1_corinthians/15-45](/1-corinthians/15-45 "The First and Last Adam")) who, through His death and resurrection, conquered the power of sin and death that entered the world through the first Adam. While Eve was the mother of all physical life, Christ is the source of all spiritual and eternal life, offering [new creation and abundant life](/2-corinthians/5-17 "New Creation in Christ") to all who believe in Him. Adam's hopeful declaration of life in the face of mortality points directly to the one who said, "[I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly](/john/10-10 "Jesus came that we might have life abundantly")".

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

Matthew 1:23

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Genesis 2:23

And Adam said, This [is] now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

Genesis 5:29

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.

Genesis 2:20

And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.

Exodus 2:10

And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.

Genesis 29:32

And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.

Genesis 29:35

And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.