Genesis 3:21

ยถ Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

Unto Adam {H120} also and to his wife {H802} did the LORD {H3068} God {H430} make {H6213} coats {H3801} of skins {H5785}, and clothed them {H3847}.

Adonai, God, made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.

And the LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and He clothed them.

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

Commentary

Genesis 3:21 marks a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, showcasing God's immediate response to humanity's sin and fall from grace. Following Adam and Eve's disobedience and their inadequate attempt to cover their nakedness with fig leaves, this verse illustrates the Lord God's compassionate and profound provision.

Context

This verse immediately follows the curses pronounced upon the serpent, Eve, and Adam in Genesis 3:14-19. After realizing their nakedness and shame (Genesis 3:7), Adam and Eve tried to hide themselves from God and each other. God, however, confronts them, holds them accountable, and then, in an act of profound grace, provides a covering that is far superior to their self-made attire. This act also prepares them for their expulsion from the Garden of Eden, signifying a new phase of life under the consequences of sin.

Key Themes

  • Divine Provision and Grace: Despite their sin, God does not abandon Adam and Eve. He personally intervenes to provide adequate clothing, demonstrating His enduring care and grace even in the midst of judgment. This contrasts sharply with their futile self-help efforts.
  • The Cost of Sin: The "coats of skins" imply that an animal had to die. This is widely understood as the first instance of bloodshed in the Bible due to sin, foreshadowing the necessity of sacrifice for atonement. It reveals the severe consequence of sin โ€“ death โ€“ and the beginning of God's redemptive plan.
  • Inadequacy of Human Works: Adam and Eve's fig leaves were insufficient to cover their shame. God's provision of animal skins highlights that human efforts cannot truly cover sin or restore fellowship with God; only a divine act can suffice.
  • Foreshadowing Redemption: Many theologians see this act as a proto-sacrifice, pointing towards the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose shed blood provides the perfect and lasting covering for humanity's sins (Hebrews 9:22).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "coats of skins" translates the Hebrew kฤ›tลnลt โ€˜รดr (ื›ึฐึผืชึนื ึนืช ืขื•ึนืจ). The term kฤ›tลnลt refers to a tunic or a long shirt, indicating a substantial garment that covered the body more thoroughly than mere leaves. โ€˜ร”r simply means "skin" or "hide." The active role of "the LORD God" (Yahweh Elohim) in making and clothing them emphasizes His personal involvement and authority in this act of judgment and grace.

Practical Application

Genesis 3:21 offers timeless insights for believers today:

  • God's Enduring Love: Even when we fall short, God's love and provision remain. He doesn't leave us in our shame but seeks to cover and restore.
  • The Need for Divine Covering: Just as Adam and Eve needed God's covering, so do we. Our attempts to justify ourselves or hide our sins are futile. True covering comes only through God's grace, ultimately fulfilled in being clothed with Christ and His righteousness.
  • Understanding the Cost of Sin: This verse subtly introduces the principle that sin requires a life, laying the groundwork for understanding the profound cost of redemption and the value of Christ's sacrifice on the cross (John 3:16).
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 61:10

    ยถ I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh [himself] with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth [herself] with her jewels.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:21

    For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:2

    For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

  • 2 Corinthians 5:3

    If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.

  • Genesis 3:7

    And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they [were] naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

  • Romans 3:22

    Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
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