Genesis 3:3

KJV

But of the fruit of the tree which [is] in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

KJV (with Strong's)

But of the fruit {H6529} of the tree {H6086} which is in the midst {H8432} of the garden {H1588}, God {H430} hath said {H559}, Ye shall not eat {H398} of it, neither shall ye touch {H5060} it, lest {H6435} ye die {H4191}.

Complete Jewish Bible

but about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden God said, ‘You are neither to eat from it nor touch it, or you will die.’”

Berean Standard Bible

but about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You must not eat of it or touch it, or you will die.’”

American Standard Version

but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 3:3 records Eve's response to the serpent's cunning interrogation, a pivotal moment that subtly deviates from God's original command and sets the stage for humanity's tragic fall. While appearing to be a faithful reiteration of divine prohibition, Eve's nuanced alterations to God's precise word expose a critical vulnerability to deception, ultimately paving the way for the unraveling of creation's pristine harmony and the catastrophic introduction of sin and death into the world.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is Eve's direct reply to the serpent's initial, insidious question in [Genesis 3:1](/genesis/3-1 "The Serpent's Deceptive Question"), where he casts doubt on God's command regarding the Garden's trees. Her words here are a re-articulation of the divine instruction originally given by God to Adam in [Genesis 2:16-17](/genesis/2-16-17 "God's Command Regarding the Trees"), specifically concerning the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Eve's response immediately precedes the serpent's outright contradiction of God's word in [Genesis 3:4](/genesis/3-4 "The Serpent's Direct Contradiction") and the subsequent act of disobedience in [Genesis 3:6](/genesis/3-6 "Eve and Adam Eat the Forbidden Fruit"), making this verse a crucial turning point in the narrative arc of the Fall.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the Garden of Eden, a pristine, divinely created environment, signifying perfect harmony between God and humanity. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the concept of a sacred garden or grove was common, often associated with the presence of deities and the source of life. God's command to Adam in [Genesis 2:16-17](/genesis/2-16-17 "God's First Command to Humanity") established a covenantal relationship, defining the boundaries of human freedom and responsibility within this perfect creation. The "tree of the knowledge of good and evil" represents not merely a botanical specimen, but a test of obedience, a symbolic boundary establishing God's sovereignty and humanity's dependence. The serpent, often associated with chaos and evil in ancient mythologies, here acts as a deceptive adversary, challenging the established divine order and the integrity of God's word.

* **Key Themes:** Genesis 3:3 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Authority and Human Obedience**, highlighting God's right to command and humanity's responsibility to obey without deviation. The verse also introduces the theme of **Temptation and Deception**, illustrating how sin often begins with subtle misrepresentations of truth and challenges to God's goodness, as seen in the serpent's strategy to undermine trust in God's word. Furthermore, it foreshadows the **Consequences of Disobedience**, as Eve's softening of the divine warning "surely die" (from [Genesis 2:17](/genesis/2-17 "The Command and Consequence")) to "lest ye die" ultimately leads to the certainty of death and the introduction of sin into the human experience, a reality explored more fully in subsequent biblical narratives, such as [Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Sin and Death Through Adam").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Eve's response to the serpent in [Genesis 3:3](/genesis/3-3 "Eve's Response to the Serpent"), "But of the fruit of the tree which [is] in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die," appears, on the surface, to be a faithful recounting of God's prohibition. However, a closer examination reveals two subtle yet profound deviations from the original divine instruction given in [Genesis 2:17](/genesis/2-17 "God's Original Command to Adam"). These alterations are not mere slips of memory but indicative of a deeper spiritual susceptibility that the serpent masterfully exploits.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **eat (Hebrew, _ʼâkal'_):** From H398, meaning "to eat (literally or figuratively); consume, devour." God's original command in [Genesis 2:17](/genesis/2-17 "God's Command") explicitly forbade eating from the tree. Eve accurately recalls this core prohibition, highlighting that the act of consumption was the forbidden action.
* **touch (Hebrew, _nâgaʻ'_):** From H5060, meaning "properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon; by implication, to reach; violently, to strike." This word represents Eve's significant addition to God's command. The original prohibition did not include touching the tree. This human addition suggests an attempt to create an extra "fence" around God's law, perhaps out of a desire for greater safety, or it could indicate a blurring of the precise boundaries set by the Creator. This seemingly minor alteration provides the tempter with an opportunity to demonstrate that a "transgression" (touching) does not result in the threatened consequence (death), thereby casting doubt on the veracity of the *actual* prohibition.
* **die (Hebrew, _mûwth'_):** From H4191, meaning "to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill." God's original warning in [Genesis 2:17](/genesis/2-17 "The Certainty of Death") was "thou shalt surely die" (Hebrew: *moth tamuth*), an emphatic construction underscoring the certainty and inevitability of death. Eve's "lest ye die" (Hebrew: *pen temuthun*) implies a mere possibility or risk, transforming a definite, unavoidable consequence into a contingent one. This subtle shift undermines the severity of God's warning and, by extension, the seriousness of the sin itself, providing the serpent a crucial opening to directly contradict God's word, as he does in [Genesis 3:4](/genesis/3-4 "The Serpent's Lie").

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But of the fruit of the tree which [is] in the midst of the garden":** Eve correctly identifies the specific object of the prohibition – the fruit of the tree centrally located in the Garden. This shows she understood which tree was forbidden, distinguishing it from the "every tree of the garden" that they were permitted to eat from ([Genesis 2:16](/genesis/2-16 "Permission to Eat Freely")).
* **"God hath said":** Eve acknowledges the divine origin of the command, attributing the prohibition directly to God (Hebrew: *ʼĕlôhîym*, H430). This demonstrates her awareness that the instruction came from the ultimate authority, setting the stage for the gravity of her subsequent misrepresentation.
* **"Ye shall not eat of it":** This clause accurately reflects the primary prohibition given by God. The core of the command was indeed against consuming the fruit. This part of her statement is faithful to the original divine decree.
* **"neither shall ye touch it":** This is Eve's first significant addition to God's command. God never forbade touching the tree, only eating its fruit. This human-added "fence" around the command, whether well-intentioned or a result of misremembering, inadvertently diluted the clarity and precision of God's actual word.
* **"lest ye die":** This is Eve's second, and arguably more critical, alteration. God's original warning was an emphatic "you shall surely die" ([Genesis 2:17](/genesis/2-17 "The Certainty of Death")). Eve's phrasing reduces the certainty of death to a mere possibility or risk. This softening of the consequence diminished the perceived severity of disobedience, making the serpent's subsequent lie more plausible and Eve more susceptible to temptation.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative in Genesis 3:3 employs several powerful literary devices. **Contrast** is evident in the stark difference between God's precise and emphatic command in [Genesis 2:17](/genesis/2-17 "God's Clear Command") and Eve's subtly altered recitation. This highlights the theme of human fallibility versus divine perfection. The verse also serves as a crucial moment of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the impending fall and its dire consequences. Eve's imprecise words signal a vulnerability that the serpent will exploit, leading directly to the tragic events of [Genesis 3:6](/genesis/3-6 "The Disobedience"). There is also an element of **Irony**; Eve attempts to recount God's word, but her very attempt at faithfulness contains the seeds of future disobedience. Her additions and subtractions, while perhaps not malicious, demonstrate a dangerous lack of precision. Furthermore, Eve's statement contains both a form of **Hyperbole** (adding "touch" to the prohibition) and an **Understatement** (softening "surely die" to "lest ye die"), both of which serve to distort the divine truth and pave the way for the serpent's successful deception.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 3:3 serves as a profound theological lesson, illustrating the critical importance of accurately knowing and reverently handling God's precise commands. Eve's subtle alterations underscore the inherent danger of either adding to or subtracting from divine revelation, a warning echoed throughout the biblical narrative. This narrative demonstrates how even seemingly minor deviations from God's explicit word can create significant inroads for deception and ultimately lead to catastrophic consequences, highlighting the precision required in our engagement with divine truth.

* [Deuteronomy 4:2](/deuteronomy/4-2 "Do Not Add or Subtract from God's Word")
* [Proverbs 30:5-6](/proverbs/30-5-6 "Every Word of God is Pure; Do Not Add to His Words")
* [Revelation 22:18-19](/revelation/22-18-19 "Warning Against Adding or Subtracting from Prophecy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 3:3 stands as a timeless warning for believers today, underscoring the vital necessity of diligently studying, accurately interpreting, and faithfully applying the Word of God. Just as Eve's slight misrepresentation opened the door to devastating deception and the fall of humanity, our own casualness, additions, or subtractions from Scripture can lead us astray, making us vulnerable to the schemes of the enemy and compromising our spiritual integrity. This narrative challenges us to not merely know God's commands generally, but to cherish their exact truth, recognizing that faithfulness to His precise Word is our surest defense against spiritual compromise and the pathway to genuine life and flourishing. It calls us to cultivate a deep reverence for Scripture, allowing it to shape our understanding and guide our actions without human embellishment or diminution.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, like Eve, be tempted to add to or subtract from God's clear commands, perhaps out of good intentions or a desire for greater safety?**
* **How does Eve's softening of the consequence ("lest ye die") reflect a common human tendency to underestimate the seriousness of sin or the certainty of God's judgment?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure I am diligently studying and accurately handling God's Word, rather than relying on imprecise memory or secondhand accounts?**
* **How does my understanding of God's character (His goodness, truthfulness, and justice) impact my willingness to trust and obey His commands precisely, even when they seem restrictive?**

### FAQ
**Why did Eve add "neither shall ye touch it" to God's command?**

Answer: The biblical text does not explicitly state Eve's motivation for adding the prohibition against touching the tree. Common interpretations suggest it could have been a well-intentioned but misguided attempt to create a "fence" or protective boundary around God's command, aiming for extra safety. Alternatively, it might indicate a misremembering or embellishment of the original instruction, perhaps through repeated oral transmission or a desire to emphasize the severity of the prohibition. Regardless of her intent, this human addition provided the serpent with a critical opportunity to discredit God's word by demonstrating that touching the tree did not result in immediate death, thereby undermining the credibility of the actual divine warning.

**What is the significance of Eve softening "surely die" to "lest ye die"?**

Answer: This subtle alteration is highly significant because it transforms a definite, certain consequence ("you shall surely die" from [Genesis 2:17](/genesis/2-17 "God's Original Warning")) into a mere possibility or risk ("lest ye die"). By diminishing the certainty and severity of God's threatened judgment, Eve inadvertently weakened the gravity of disobedience in her own mind and in her communication with the serpent. This weakening of conviction regarding God's absolute truth provided the serpent with a crucial opening to directly contradict God's word, as he boldly declares in [Genesis 3:4](/genesis/3-4 "The Serpent's Lie"), "Ye shall not surely die." It reflects a human tendency to downplay divine warnings, making one more susceptible to deception.

**Was Eve intentionally lying or simply mistaken?**

Answer: The text does not suggest that Eve was intentionally lying. Rather, it implies she was likely mistaken or had allowed the precision of God's command to erode in her memory or understanding. There is no indication of malicious intent to deceive, but rather a vulnerability to deception stemming from an imprecise grasp of divine truth. This highlights a crucial lesson: even unintentional inaccuracies or slight deviations from God's explicit word can have profound and devastating consequences, opening the door for spiritual attack and leading to disobedience.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 3:3 vividly portrays humanity's initial failure through a subtle departure from God's precise word and subsequent disobedience, leading to the Fall. In profound contrast, Jesus Christ stands as the perfect embodiment of obedience and the ultimate fulfillment of God's truth. Where Eve distorted God's command and succumbed to temptation, Jesus perfectly upheld and fulfilled the Law, demonstrating absolute obedience to the Father's will, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Christ's Obedience Unto Death")). He is the living Word of God, the very truth that Eve failed to grasp and uphold ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "In the Beginning Was the Word"), [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh")). Through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, Christ reverses the curse of sin and death introduced by Adam and Eve's disobedience ([Romans 5:19](/romans/5-19 "Through One Man's Obedience")), offering eternal life and restoration where they brought condemnation. He is the true Tree of Life, providing access to God and everlasting sustenance, unlike the forbidden tree that led to death ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "Jesus, the Bread of Life")).

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

Genesis 2:16

¶ And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

Genesis 2:17

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Genesis 20:6

And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.

2 Corinthians 6:17

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,

Job 1:11

But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

Exodus 19:12

And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, [that ye] go [not] up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:

Exodus 19:13

There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether [it be] beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.