Genesis 3:5

KJV

For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

KJV (with Strong's)

For God {H430} doth know {H3045} that in the day {H3117} ye eat {H398} thereof, then your eyes {H5869} shall be opened {H6491}, and ye shall be as gods {H430}, knowing {H3045} good {H2896} and evil {H7451}.

Complete Jewish Bible

because God knows that on the day you eat from it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Berean Standard Bible

“For God knows that in the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

American Standard Version

for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 3:5 encapsulates the serpent's cunning and pivotal temptation of Eve, presenting a distorted vision of divine knowledge and autonomy that directly challenged God's benevolent authority. This verse reveals the core lie that led to humanity's fall: the promise of self-exaltation and independent wisdom, which ultimately resulted in spiritual death, shame, and separation from the Creator.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 3:5 is situated at the dramatic turning point of the biblical narrative, immediately following God's clear prohibition against eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in [Genesis 2:17](/genesis/2-17 "God's Command Regarding the Tree of Knowledge"). The serpent's words directly contradict God's warning, initiating a dialogue with Eve that subtly undermines divine truth. This verse is the climax of the serpent's deceptive argument, designed to sow distrust in God's character and entice humanity into rebellion. The subsequent verses ([Genesis 3:6-7](/genesis/3-6-7 "Eve and Adam eat the forbidden fruit")) describe the immediate consequences of Eve and Adam's decision, demonstrating the tragic fulfillment of the serpent's partial truths and outright lies.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the concept of divine knowledge and immortality was often associated with gods or powerful beings. Humans were typically seen as subservient to the divine, with a clear distinction in power and wisdom. The serpent's proposition in Genesis 3:5 taps into a universal human aspiration for transcendence and control, promising a status akin to the gods – a radical departure from the established created order. This temptation was not merely about eating a fruit but about usurping the divine prerogative to define reality and morality, a concept often found in ancient myths where humans sought to ascend to divine status.
* **Key Themes:** This verse is central to several foundational biblical themes. It introduces the theme of **deception** and the **origin of sin**, illustrating how humanity's first transgression was rooted in distrust of God and a desire for autonomy. It highlights the **nature of temptation**, which often involves a blend of partial truths and outright falsehoods, appealing to human pride and self-sufficiency. Furthermore, it underscores the critical theme of **humanity's relationship with divine authority**, posing the fundamental question of whether humanity will trust and obey God's word or seek to define "good and evil" for themselves, a theme echoed throughout the Old Testament in Israel's repeated cycles of rebellion and repentance, as seen in the book of [Judges](/judges/1 "The Book of Judges"). The promise of "opened eyes" also introduces the theme of **true vs. false knowledge**, contrasting the wisdom that comes from God with the experiential knowledge gained through disobedience, which leads to shame rather than enlightenment, as depicted in [Genesis 3:7](/genesis/3-7 "Adam and Eve's eyes were opened to their nakedness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** This plural noun (H430) is used here in the serpent's promise, "ye shall be as gods." While often referring to the singular, supreme God, its plural form here allows for the deceptive implication of becoming like divine beings or even God Himself. The serpent suggests a transcendence of creaturely limits, an elevation to a status of independent authority and knowledge, mirroring the divine. This appeal to self-exaltation is a core aspect of the temptation.
* **knowing (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** The verb "to know" (H3045) signifies not merely intellectual apprehension but often an experiential, intimate understanding. The serpent promises an experiential knowledge of "good and evil." This is not the wisdom that comes from God's instruction, but a knowledge gained through direct, personal experience, specifically through an act of disobedience. This type of "knowing" leads to a self-defined morality rather than adherence to God's perfect standard.
* **opened (Hebrew, _pâqach'_):** The verb "to open" (H6491) refers to opening the senses, especially the eyes. The serpent's promise that "your eyes shall be opened" is a partial truth. While their eyes were indeed opened after eating the fruit ([Genesis 3:7](/genesis/3-7 "Adam and Eve's eyes were opened")), it was not to greater enlightenment or communion with God, but to an awareness of their nakedness, shame, and guilt. This "opening" led to a profound spiritual degradation rather than an elevation, revealing the deceptive nature of the serpent's promise.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof":** This clause is the serpent's insidious opening, designed to sow seeds of doubt and suspicion about God's character. The serpent implies that God is not merely protective but is actively withholding something beneficial from humanity. By asserting that "God doth know," the serpent suggests that God's prohibition is not for humanity's good, but for His own self-preservation, lest man ascend to a similar divine status. This direct attack on God's benevolence and truthfulness is the foundation of the temptation.
* **"then your eyes shall be opened":** This is a deceptive promise of enlightenment. The serpent suggests that eating the fruit will grant a new, superior form of perception or understanding. While their eyes were indeed "opened" after the act, as [Genesis 3:7](/genesis/3-7 "Adam and Eve's eyes were opened") confirms, this opening led to an awareness of their nakedness and shame, not to the promised divine insight. It was an opening to self-consciousness and guilt, a profound spiritual degradation rather than an elevation.
* **"and ye shall be as gods":** This is the ultimate lure, appealing to humanity's desire for self-exaltation and autonomy. The Hebrew word *elohim* (H430), translated "gods," implies becoming like divine beings, free from the constraints of divine authority, capable of defining reality for oneself. This promise taps into the very pride that led to Satan's own fall ([Isaiah 14:12-15](/isaiah/14-12-15 "Lucifer's desire to ascend in Isaiah 14:12-15")), inviting humanity to usurp God's rightful place and become the arbiters of their own destiny.
* **"knowing good and evil":** This phrase represents the experiential knowledge gained through disobedience, rather than a positive moral omniscience. Humanity was designed to know good by obeying God and to know evil by avoiding it. The serpent's promise, however, was to know both experientially through rebellion, thereby becoming the arbiter of one's own morality, apart from God's perfect standard. This act of self-determination, choosing to define good and evil for oneself, stands in stark contrast to the true wisdom that begins with [the fear of the Lord](/proverbs/1-7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge").

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 3:5 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Irony** is prominent, as the serpent's promise of "opened eyes" and "knowing good and evil" leads not to enlightenment and flourishing, but to shame, guilt, and spiritual death. The promised elevation to "gods" results in humanity's degradation and expulsion from the Garden. **Deception** is the serpent's primary tool, utilizing a blend of partial truths ("your eyes shall be opened") and outright lies (God's motivation for the prohibition) to manipulate Eve. The serpent's words also function as **foreshadowing**, hinting at the ongoing human struggle with pride, autonomy, and the desire to usurp God's role, themes that recur throughout biblical history. The "Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil" itself is a powerful **symbol**, not of inherent evil, but of God's sovereign right to define boundaries and the nature of humanity's relationship with its Creator.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 3:5 is foundational for understanding the origin and nature of sin, revealing it as a deliberate act of rebellion against God's clear command, driven by a desire for autonomy and self-exaltation. The serpent's temptation exposes the insidious nature of spiritual warfare, where distrust in God's goodness and promises of false enlightenment are used to lure humanity away from truth and obedience. This initial transgression sets the stage for the universal human condition and the need for redemption.

* [Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Sin entered the world through one man"): This verse explains how sin entered the world through one man, Adam, leading to death for all humanity, directly connecting to the fall initiated in Genesis 3.
* [2 Corinthians 11:3](/2_corinthians/11-3 "Satan's deception of Eve"): Paul warns against being led astray from sincere devotion to Christ, just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, highlighting the enduring nature of spiritual deception.
* [Jeremiah 17:9](/jeremiah/17-9 "The deceitfulness of the heart"): This verse describes the human heart as deceitful and desperately sick, underscoring humanity's inherent susceptibility to temptation and self-deception, a vulnerability first exploited in Genesis 3:5.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 3:5 serves as an enduring warning against the allure of defining truth and morality apart from God. In a contemporary world that often prioritizes self-actualization, individual autonomy, and the pursuit of "knowledge" outside of divine revelation, this verse challenges us to discern the subtle deceptions that promise enlightenment or freedom but ultimately lead to spiritual bondage, shame, and brokenness. It calls us to humbly trust God's boundaries as expressions of His perfect love and wisdom, recognizing that true flourishing is found not in becoming "as gods" who dictate our own reality, but in faithfully submitting to the one true God, who alone defines good and evil. Our spiritual health depends on our willingness to believe God's word over the enticing whispers of self-sufficiency.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my life am I tempted to define "good and evil" for myself, rather than trusting God's revealed truth?**
* **How do I respond when God's commands or boundaries seem restrictive or counter-intuitive to my desires?**
* **In what ways might I be susceptible to partial truths or deceptive promises that subtly undermine my trust in God's goodness?**
* **What does it truly mean to have my "eyes opened" in a way that brings spiritual life and not shame?**

### FAQ
**What does the serpent mean by "ye shall be as gods"?**

Answer: The serpent's promise of "ye shall be as gods" (Hebrew: *elohim*, H430) implies a false elevation to divine status, offering autonomy and self-determination apart from God. It suggests humanity could transcend creaturely limits and become the arbiters of their own morality and destiny, usurping God's role as the ultimate authority. This was not an offer of true divinity, but a deceptive invitation to pride and rebellion, leading to humanity's fall from grace as detailed in [Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "The Fall of Man in Genesis 3").

**Did God truly withhold something good from Adam and Eve by prohibiting the fruit?**

Answer: No. God's prohibition was an act of love and protection, establishing a boundary for humanity's good and flourishing within His created order. The serpent's insinuation that God was withholding something beneficial was a lie designed to sow distrust and portray God as restrictive and jealous. True "good" for humanity was found in obedient relationship with God, not in autonomous knowledge gained through rebellion. God's commands are always for our ultimate welfare, as seen throughout the Law given to Israel in [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/1 "The Book of Deuteronomy").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The temptation in [Genesis 3:5](/genesis/3-5 "The serpent's lie in Genesis 3:5") to "be as gods, knowing good and evil" represents humanity's foundational desire to define truth and morality apart from God, leading to sin, shame, and death. Christ, as the Second Adam, perfectly reverses this catastrophic fall. Unlike Eve, who succumbed to the allure of false autonomy and self-exaltation, Jesus, though truly God, humbled Himself, taking the form of a servant and becoming obedient even to death on a cross ([Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6-8 "Christ's Humility and Obedience")). He perfectly "knew good and evil" not through rebellion, but through perfect, unwavering obedience to the Father's will, demonstrating true wisdom and righteousness. Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ offers humanity true opened eyes—spiritual enlightenment that leads to life and reconciliation with God ([Ephesians 1:18](/ephesians/1-18 "Eyes of Your Heart Enlightened")). He is the true "wisdom of God" ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")) who restores the knowledge of God that humanity forfeited in the Garden, bringing us into a relationship where we are truly known by God and know Him in return ([Galatians 4:9](/galatians/4-9 "Known by God")).

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

Ezekiel 28:2

Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart [is] lifted up, and thou hast said, I [am] a God, I sit [in] the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou [art] a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:

2 Thessalonians 2:4

Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

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.

Acts 12:22

And the people gave a shout, [saying, It is] the voice of a god, and not of a man.

Acts 12:23

And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

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.

2 Corinthians 11:13

For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.