Genesis 3:23

Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.

Therefore the LORD {H3068} God {H430} sent him forth {H7971} from the garden {H1588} of Eden {H5731}, to till {H5647} the ground {H127} from whence he was taken {H3947}.

therefore Adonai, God, sent him out of the garden of β€˜Eden to cultivate the ground from which he was taken.

Therefore the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken.

therefore Jehovah God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.

Commentary

Genesis 3:23 marks a pivotal moment in biblical history, detailing the immediate consequence of humanity's disobedience in the Garden of Eden. Having eaten from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Adam and Eve are now expelled from this paradise, a direct fulfillment of God's earlier warning.

Context

This verse follows the pronouncement of judgments upon the serpent, Eve, and Adam in Genesis 3:14-19. The expulsion is not merely an act of punishment but also a necessary separation to prevent humanity from eating from the tree of life in their fallen state, which would grant them eternal life in sin (as indicated in Genesis 3:22). Adam's original purpose in the garden was to "dress it and to keep it" (Genesis 2:15), a joyful stewardship. Now, he is sent forth to labor on ground that has been cursed because of his sin.

Key Themes

  • Expulsion and Separation: The verse vividly illustrates humanity's removal from God's immediate, perfect provision and presence in Eden. This expulsion symbolizes the spiritual separation that sin causes between God and man.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: It underscores the severe and immediate repercussions of sin. Disobedience leads to a loss of privilege and a change in humanity's relationship with creation.
  • The Nature of Labor: Adam is sent "to till the ground from whence he was taken." While work was part of Adam's original design, the curse on the ground in Genesis 3:17-19 transforms this labor into toil, marked by sweat and thorns, contrasting sharply with the effortless abundance of Eden.
  • Humanity's Origin: The phrase "from whence he was taken" explicitly links Adam's future toil back to his creation from the dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7), emphasizing humanity's humble origins and mortality.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "to till the ground" uses the Hebrew word 'abad (Χ’ΦΈΧ‘Φ·Χ“), which means "to serve," "to work," or "to cultivate." While it's the same root used for Adam's work in the garden in Genesis 2:15, the context of Genesis 3:17-19 profoundly changes its implication. Outside Eden, this *'abad* is now associated with hardship and struggle, as the ground itself is cursed to bring forth thorns and thistles.

Practical Application

Genesis 3:23 helps us understand the origin of human toil and the brokenness we experience in the world. It reminds us that sin has real, tangible consequences, affecting not only our spiritual state but also our physical existence and our relationship with creation. Yet, even in this judgment, there is a subtle grace: humanity is given purpose through labor, and the ultimate promise of redemption through Christ offers a future where the curse will be lifted and a new heaven and new earth will be established, free from the effects of sin, as foretold in Revelation 21:4.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 4:2

    And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

  • Genesis 4:12

    When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.

  • Genesis 3:19

    In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou [art], and unto dust shalt thou return.

  • Ecclesiastes 5:9

    ΒΆ Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king [himself] is served by the field.

  • Genesis 2:5

    And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and [there was] not a man to till the ground.

  • Genesis 9:20

    And Noah began [to be] an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:
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