Genesis 3:3

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.

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}.

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.’”

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.’”

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

Genesis 3:3 captures a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, revealing Eve's response to the serpent's initial temptation regarding the forbidden fruit. This verse is crucial for understanding the unfolding drama of the Fall and the nature of disobedience.

Context

This verse is Eve's reply to the serpent, who has just questioned God's command concerning the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God had explicitly told Adam in 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." Eve's statement here, while largely accurate, contains two subtle but significant alterations from the original divine instruction, setting the stage for the serpent's successful deception.

Key Themes

  • Misrepresentation of God's Word: Eve adds the phrase "neither shall ye touch it," which God did not command, and softens the consequence from "thou shalt surely die" to "lest ye die." This highlights a dangerous tendency to either add to or diminish God's clear instructions.
  • The Nature of Temptation: The serpent's strategy begins by casting doubt on God's goodness and truth, and Eve's slightly inaccurate recitation gives the deceiver an opening. This illustrates how even minor deviations from truth can become footholds for sin and lead to the act of disobedience.
  • The Path to Disobedience: Eve's response shows a weakening of resolve and an openness to questioning God's boundaries, a critical step toward the first human sin.

Linguistic Insights

The subtle changes in Eve's phrasing are key. The original Hebrew in Genesis 2:17 for "surely die" is a construction known as an infinitive absolute, emphasizing the certainty and severity of death (moth tamuth, "dying, you shall die"). Eve's "lest ye die" (pen temuthun) reduces this certainty to a mere possibility, weakening the warning. Her addition of "neither shall ye touch it" shows a human tendency to create extra rules or prohibitions, which can sometimes lead to an unhealthy legalism or, conversely, make God's true commands seem overly burdensome.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder for believers today to diligently study and accurately handle the Word of God. Just as Eve's slight misrepresentation opened the door to deception, our own casualness or additions to Scripture can lead us astray. It emphasizes the importance of knowing God's commands precisely and resisting the temptation to either add to them or diminish their force. Understanding this narrative helps us recognize the tactics of spiritual deception and stand firm in truth, as encouraged by putting on the full armor of God.

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

Cross-References

  • Genesis 2:16 (9 votes)

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

  • Genesis 2:17 (9 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

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

  • Exodus 19:12 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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.