Genesis 3:22

KJV

¶ And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} God {H430} said {H559}, Behold {H2005}, the man {H120} is become as one {H259} of us, to know {H3045} good {H2896} and evil {H7451}: and now, lest he put forth {H7971} his hand {H3027}, and take {H3947} also of the tree {H6086} of life {H2416}, and eat {H398}, and live {H2425} for ever {H5769}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Adonai, God, said, “See, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil. Now, to prevent his putting out his hand and taking also from the tree of life, eating, and living forever — ”

Berean Standard Bible

Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil. And now, lest he reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever...”

American Standard Version

And Jehovah God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil; and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever—

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 3:22 records the LORD God's pivotal declaration immediately after humanity's fall, revealing His assessment of Adam's new, tragic "knowledge" of good and evil. It details God's decisive, merciful action to prevent fallen humanity from accessing the tree of life, thereby ensuring they would not live eternally in a state of sin and separation, a decision rooted in both divine justice and profound compassion.

### CONTEXT
This verse stands as a critical turning point in the unfolding drama of Genesis 3, directly following Adam and Eve's transgression of eating from the forbidden [tree of the knowledge of good and evil](/genesis/2-17 "Genesis 2:17 warns against eating from the tree"). It precedes their expulsion from the Garden of Eden, a narrative consequence detailed in [Genesis 3:23-24](/genesis/3-23 "Read about the expulsion from Eden in Genesis 3:23"). The divine pronouncement here sets the stage for the subsequent history of humanity outside paradise, marked by toil, suffering, and the promise of future redemption.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
The scene opens with the solemn declaration, "And the LORD God said," emphasizing the divine authority and gravity of the pronouncement. God observes, "Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil." This phrase, "as one of us," has long been a subject of theological discussion. While some interpret it as God addressing His heavenly court or angelic beings, the most profound theological understanding, especially from a Trinitarian perspective, sees it as an early, subtle hint of the plurality within the Godhead, foreshadowing the Trinitarian nature of God. It signifies a profound, deliberate decision within the divine council concerning humanity's altered state.

The "knowledge" of good and evil mentioned here is not a newfound moral enlightenment or intellectual wisdom, but rather a painful, experiential understanding born out of disobedience. Before the Fall, Adam and Eve knew good by experiencing God's perfect design; now, they knew evil by having chosen it, experiencing its bitter consequences and the rupture it caused in their relationship with God. This knowledge was not a gain but a devastating loss, bringing with it shame, fear, and a fractured existence, as seen in their immediate attempt to [hide themselves from God](/genesis/3-8 "Adam and Eve hide from God in Genesis 3:8").

The latter part of the verse reveals God's crucial preventive action: "and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever." This is not an arbitrary punishment, but an act of profound divine mercy. To allow humanity, now tainted by sin and separated from God's perfect fellowship, to live eternally in that fallen state would have been an eternal curse, locking them into perpetual misery and spiritual death. God's act of blocking access to the [tree of life](/revelation/22-2 "The tree of life reappears in Revelation 22:2") was therefore a compassionate measure, preserving the possibility of future redemption and the eventual restoration of true eternal life through a different means. This divine intervention, seemingly harsh, was necessary to prevent an even greater, eternal tragedy for humanity, paving the way for the ultimate solution to sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **The Consequences of Sin:** This verse starkly illustrates that sin has immediate and far-reaching consequences, altering humanity's nature and relationship with God.
* **Divine Sovereignty and Wisdom:** God’s decision demonstrates His absolute authority and His perfect wisdom in governing His creation, even in the face of human rebellion.
* **God's Justice and Mercy in Tension:** The expulsion from Eden, while a just consequence of disobedience, is simultaneously an act of mercy, preventing an eternal state of suffering.
* **The Value of True Life:** The guarding of the tree of life underscores that true, eternal life is a sacred gift, not to be corrupted by sin, and points to its ultimate source.
* **The Fall and the Need for Redemption:** This verse highlights the profound brokenness introduced by the Fall, establishing humanity's desperate need for a divine solution to sin and death, a theme echoed throughout scripture, such as in [Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Read about sin entering the world in Romans 5:12").

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 3:22 reminds us of the profound gravity of sin and its capacity to distort our understanding and experience of life. It challenges us to recognize that God's judgments, even when severe, are often intertwined with His wise and merciful purposes, aiming to prevent greater harm and preserve the pathway to genuine flourishing. This passage compels us to seek the true source of life and to understand that our ultimate well-being is found not in self-determination, but in humble submission to God's perfect will.

### FAQ
**What does 'the man is become as one of us' mean?**

Answer: This phrase is often interpreted as a reference to the plurality within the Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), an early hint of the Trinity. Alternatively, some view it as God consulting with His heavenly court or angelic beings. In either case, it signifies a profound and deliberate divine decision.

**Did humanity gain wisdom by 'knowing good and evil'?**

Answer: No, the "knowledge" here is experiential, not intellectual wisdom. It means humanity now knew evil through having committed it and experiencing its destructive consequences, rather than simply knowing good through obedience to God. It was a tragic, not beneficial, acquisition.

**Why did God prevent access to the tree of life? Was it a punishment?**

Answer: While a consequence of sin, preventing access to the tree of life was primarily an act of divine mercy. Allowing fallen humanity to live eternally in a state of sin and separation from God would have been an eternal curse, preventing any future possibility of redemption or reconciliation.

**Does this verse imply God didn't want humanity to be like Him?**

Answer: Humanity was already created in God's image (Genesis 1:26-27). The "as one of us" refers to the experiential knowledge of good and evil, a knowledge God possesses inherently without having to commit evil. God prevented humanity from achieving a distorted, corrupted form of eternal life in their fallen state, which would have been an eternal misery.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 3:22, by denying fallen humanity access to the tree of life and thus eternal life in their sinful state, powerfully foreshadows the need for a new way to eternal life. This need is perfectly fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He is the true "Tree of Life" and the only means by which humanity can regain access to eternal life and an unhindered relationship with God. Jesus declared, "[I am the way, the truth, and the life](/john/14-6 "Jesus declares Himself the way, truth, and life in John 14:6")," and promised that "[whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life](/john/3-16 "Read John 3:16 about eternal life through belief in Jesus"). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ overcomes the curse of the Fall, allowing believers to partake in true, unending life and ultimately granting access to the restored tree of life in the new heavens and new earth, as promised in [Revelation 22:14](/revelation/22-14 "Those who wash their robes will have access to the tree of life in Revelation 22:14").

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.