Genesis 3:4

KJV

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

KJV (with Strong's)

And the serpent {H5175} said {H559} unto the woman {H802}, Ye shall not surely {H4191} die {H4191}:

Complete Jewish Bible

The serpent said to the woman, “It is not true that you will surely die;

Berean Standard Bible

“You will not surely die,” the serpent told her.

American Standard Version

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 3:4 records the serpent's audacious and direct contradiction of God's clear warning, marking the first explicit lie uttered in the biblical narrative. This pivotal statement directly challenges the Creator's truth and authority, setting the stage for humanity's tragic fall by dismantling trust, sowing seeds of doubt, and paving the way for sin's entrance into the world through the insidious promise of life where God had warned of certain death.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 3:4 is the climactic moment in the serpent's temptation of Eve, immediately following Eve's (slightly altered) recitation of God's command regarding the forbidden tree in [Genesis 3:3](/genesis/3-3 "Eve's response to the serpent"). The serpent's declaration, "Ye shall not surely die," is a direct and emphatic rebuttal to God's original prohibition given to Adam in [Genesis 2:17](/genesis/2-17 "God's warning about the Tree of Knowledge"), where God explicitly stated, "in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." This verse, therefore, serves as the decisive turning point where the deceiver directly undermines divine truth, leading directly to Eve's decision to eat the fruit in [Genesis 3:6](/genesis/3-6 "Eve eats the forbidden fruit") and initiating the tragic unraveling of creation's perfect harmony.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The narrative of Genesis 1-11, often referred to as primeval history, describes foundational truths about creation, humanity, sin, and God's character, rather than specific historical events in a conventional sense. In the ancient Near East, narratives often used anthropomorphic figures or symbolic representations to convey profound theological or cosmological truths. The serpent, while a real creature, also functions as a symbol of cunning and evil, a vessel for a malevolent spiritual force (later identified as Satan). The concept of a divine command and the consequences of disobedience would have resonated within cultures that understood the importance of covenant and law, highlighting the absolute authority of the Creator over His creation and the gravity of defying His word.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 3:4 profoundly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It introduces the theme of **deception and the nature of evil**, revealing Satan's primary tactic as undermining God's word and character. It is the genesis of the theme of **sin and its consequences**, establishing that disobedience to God's command leads to death—initially spiritual separation, and eventually physical mortality, as seen in [Genesis 3:19](/genesis/3-19 "God's decree of physical death"). Furthermore, it highlights the theme of **divine truth versus human doubt**, setting up a foundational conflict that echoes throughout Scripture, where humanity is constantly faced with the choice to trust God's revealed word or to succumb to alternative, deceptive narratives.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **serpent (Hebrew, _nâchâsh'_):** This term (H5175) refers to a snake, often associated with its hissing sound. In this context, it is more than just an animal; it is a cunning and insidious creature, serving as the instrument or embodiment of a malevolent spiritual force (Satan) who actively opposes God's will and truth. Its appearance introduces an element of danger and deception into the pristine creation.
* **said (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** The verb (H559) signifies speaking, declaring, or uttering. Here, it denotes a direct verbal communication from the serpent to the woman. The significance lies in the content of what is said—a direct contradiction of God's word—and the audacity of this creature to speak against the Creator's decree, initiating a dialogue of temptation.
* **die (Hebrew, _mûwth'_):** This primitive root (H4191) means to die, literally or figuratively, and can also imply to kill. The repetition in the original Hebrew, "môt tāmût" (surely die), emphasizes the certainty and severity of the consequence God had warned of. The serpent's negation, "lō' môt tāmût" (not surely die), is a direct and absolute denial, promising immunity from the very consequence God had declared as inevitable for disobedience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the serpent said unto the woman,"**: This opening clause establishes the direct interaction between the deceiver and Eve. The serpent, characterized by its cunning, initiates a conversation with the woman, specifically targeting her. This direct address is crucial, as it bypasses Adam, to whom the original command was given, and sets the stage for a personal, persuasive encounter designed to undermine trust and obedience.
* **"Ye shall not surely die:"**: This is the core of the serpent's deception. It is a bold, absolute negation of God's explicit warning in [Genesis 2:17](/genesis/2-17 "God's original warning"). The Hebrew construction "lo' mot tamut" (not surely die) directly counters God's "mot tamut" (surely die), implying that God's threat was either false, exaggerated, or that He was withholding something good. This lie is designed to sow doubt about God's integrity and goodness, suggesting that disobedience will not lead to ruin but to some form of enlightenment or benefit.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 3:4 is rich with literary devices that amplify its theological significance. **Dramatic Irony** is powerfully present, as the reader knows God's explicit warning from [Genesis 2:17](/genesis/2-17 "God's warning about the Tree of Knowledge"), making the serpent's lie all the more chilling and deceptive to Eve, who is unaware of the serpent's true malicious intent. The serpent's statement also employs **Antithesis**, directly opposing God's truth with a falsehood ("surely die" vs. "not surely die"), highlighting the stark contrast between divine revelation and demonic deception. Furthermore, the serpent itself functions as **Symbolism**, representing not merely an animal but the embodiment of evil, cunning, and rebellion against God, a precursor to the figure of Satan in later biblical texts. The entire exchange also serves as a **Foreshadowing** of humanity's ongoing struggle with temptation, doubt, and the allure of false promises.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 3:4 is a foundational text for understanding the nature of sin, deception, and the ongoing spiritual conflict. It reveals that the initial assault on humanity was not physical, but an attack on truth, trust, and God's character. The serpent's lie introduces the concept of spiritual death—separation from God—as the immediate consequence of disobedience, even before physical mortality is decreed. This verse establishes the pattern of temptation: questioning God's word, doubting His goodness, and seeking autonomy from His commands. It underscores the profound importance of discerning truth from falsehood, and the devastating impact of believing lies over divine revelation.

* [Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Sin and Death Through Adam")
* [John 8:44](/john/8-44 "Jesus describes Satan")
* [2 Corinthians 11:3](/2_corinthians/11-3 "Satan's cunning deception")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 3:4 serves as a timeless and urgent warning for all believers: the most dangerous temptations often begin not with an overt act of rebellion, but with a subtle questioning of God's clear commands and character. The serpent's strategy was to sow doubt about God's goodness and the certainty of His warnings, leading Eve to believe that God was withholding something beneficial. This compels us to rigorously test all voices, thoughts, and influences against the unwavering truth of Scripture, recognizing that genuine freedom and life are found not in defying God's word but in faithfully trusting and obeying it. We must cultivate a deep familiarity with God's truth, allowing it to be the ultimate arbiter of reality, thereby guarding our hearts and minds against the deceptive pathways that lead to spiritual separation and ruin. Our spiritual vitality depends on our unwavering confidence in the veracity and goodness of God's every word.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you most susceptible to doubting God's goodness or the certainty of His warnings?**
* **How does familiarity with Scripture equip you to discern and resist deceptive voices in your daily life?**
* **What practical steps can you take to deepen your trust in God's word, even when its commands seem restrictive or its promises delayed?**

### FAQ
**How does the serpent's lie in Genesis 3:4 relate to its nature as described elsewhere in Scripture?**

Answer: The serpent's lie, "Ye shall not surely die," directly aligns with its character as revealed in other biblical texts, where the spiritual power behind the serpent is identified as Satan or the Devil. Jesus describes Satan as a "murderer from the beginning" and the "father of lies" in [John 8:44](/john/8-44 "Jesus describes Satan"). This initial deception in [Genesis 3:4](/genesis/3-4 "The Serpent's Lie") is the foundational act of a being whose very nature is antithetical to truth and life, consistently seeking to distort God's word and lead humanity to spiritual and physical ruin. The Apostle Paul also warns against being "beguiled" by Satan's "subtilty," just as Eve was by the serpent ([2 Corinthians 11:3](/2_corinthians/11-3 "Paul warns against Satan's cunning")). This demonstrates a consistent biblical portrayal of the adversary as a deceiver whose primary weapon is falsehood against God's truth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The serpent's insidious lie in [Genesis 3:4](/genesis/3-4 "The Serpent's Lie") introduced sin and death into creation, severing humanity's relationship with God and necessitating a profound divine intervention. Christ's advent directly confronts and decisively reverses the consequences of this primal deception. As the very embodiment of Truth ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), Jesus exposes and utterly defeats the "father of lies." His perfect obedience stands in stark contrast to humanity's initial disobedience, and His sacrificial death on the cross pays the penalty for the spiritual and physical death brought about by sin, offering eternal life and reconciliation with God where the serpent promised life through disobedience but delivered ruin. Through His resurrection, Christ conquers death itself ([1 Corinthians 15:20-22](/1_corinthians/15-20-22 "Christ's resurrection defeats death")), securing victory over the one who held the power of death ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Christ destroys the power of death")). Thus, Christ fulfills God's protoevangelium in [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "The Protoevangelium"), crushing the serpent's head, undoing the lie's destructive power, and restoring humanity's path to true life and fellowship with the Creator.

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

2 Corinthians 11:3

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

John 8:44

Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

1 Timothy 2:14

And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

Genesis 3:13

And the LORD God said unto the woman, What [is] this [that] thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

2 Corinthians 2:11

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

2 Kings 8:10

And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the LORD hath shewed me that he shall surely die.

Deuteronomy 29:19

And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst: