Genesis 3:6

KJV

¶ And when the woman saw that the tree [was] good for food, and that it [was] pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make [one] wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when the woman {H802} saw {H7200} that the tree {H6086} was good {H2896} for food {H3978}, and that it {H1931} was pleasant {H8378} to the eyes {H5869}, and a tree {H6086} to be desired {H2530} to make one wise {H7919}, she took {H3947} of the fruit thereof {H6529}, and did eat {H398}, and gave {H5414} also {H1571} unto her husband {H376} with her; and he did eat {H398}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it had a pleasing appearance and that the tree was desirable for making one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her; and he ate.

Berean Standard Bible

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it.

American Standard Version

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and she gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 3:6 recounts the pivotal moment of humanity's original sin, detailing how the woman, Eve, succumbed to temptation by perceiving the forbidden tree as desirable for physical sustenance, aesthetic pleasure, and intellectual enlightenment. This led her to take and eat its fruit, an act of direct disobedience to God's command. She then offered the fruit to her husband, Adam, who was with her, and he also ate, thereby introducing sin, spiritual death, and profound brokenness into God's perfect creation and fundamentally altering the course of human history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 3:6 is the climax of the temptation narrative initiated in [Genesis 3:1](/genesis/3-1 "The Serpent's Deception in Genesis 3:1"). It immediately follows the serpent's insidious questioning of God's word and his deceptive promise that eating the fruit would make Eve and Adam "like God, knowing good and evil" ([Genesis 3:5](/genesis/3-5 "The Serpent's Promise of God-likeness in Genesis 3:5")). This verse marks the decisive moment of transgression, setting the stage for God's confrontation with humanity ([Genesis 3:8-13](/genesis/3-8-13 "God's Confrontation with Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:8-13")) and the subsequent pronouncement of curses and expulsion from the Garden ([Genesis 3:14-24](/genesis/3-14-24 "Consequences of the Fall and Expulsion from Eden in Genesis 3:14-24")). It stands in stark contrast to the harmonious and obedient relationship depicted in [Genesis 2](/genesis/2 "The Creation of Humanity and Eden in Genesis 2").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The narrative of Genesis is foundational to ancient Israelite understanding of their origins, their relationship with God, and the nature of sin and suffering. While not a historical account in the modern scientific sense, it conveys profound theological truths about human nature, divine sovereignty, and the consequences of disobedience. The concept of a forbidden tree and a divine command was a common motif in ancient Near Eastern literature, often associated with wisdom or immortality, but the Genesis account uniquely frames it within a covenantal relationship between a benevolent Creator and His human creations. The setting is the pristine [Garden of Eden](/genesis/2-8 "The Garden of Eden's Location in Genesis 2:2") a place of perfect fellowship with God, underscoring the severity of the rupture caused by this act.
* **Key Themes:** This verse is central to several overarching themes in Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It introduces the theme of **Temptation and Disobedience**, demonstrating how legitimate desires can be twisted and misdirected when God's boundaries are transgressed. It is the genesis of **Sin and its Consequences**, establishing that human rebellion against God's word leads to spiritual death, broken relationships, and suffering, a theme powerfully developed in subsequent narratives like [Cain's murder of Abel](/genesis/4-8 "Cain's Sin and its Consequences in Genesis 4:8") and the **Flood narrative** in [Genesis 6-9](/genesis/6-9 "The Flood Narrative in Genesis 6-9"). Furthermore, it highlights the theme of **Human Responsibility** and culpability, as both Eve and Adam make a conscious choice to defy God. Finally, it implicitly sets the stage for the overarching theme of **God's Redemptive Plan**, as the immediate aftermath of the Fall includes the first glimmer of hope for a future deliverer in [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "The Protoevangelium in Genesis 3:15").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 3:6 meticulously unpacks the anatomy of temptation and the tragic choice that ushered sin into the world, beginning with Eve's perception and culminating in the shared act of disobedience.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **good (Hebrew, _ṭôwb'_):** This word, from H2896, signifies "good" in its widest sense, encompassing beauty, favor, pleasure, and prosperity. When Eve "saw that the tree was good for food," her perception was not inherently wrong about the tree's physical properties, but it was misdirected, applying a "good" that God had explicitly forbidden for consumption. The term reflects a subjective assessment of desirability.
* **desired (Hebrew, _châmad'_):** Derived from H2530, this term means "to delight in," "covet," or "lust." Its use here indicates a strong, illicit longing for something forbidden. It's the same root used in the [Tenth Commandment](/exodus/20-17 "The Tenth Commandment against Coveting in Exodus 20:17"). Eve's desire for the tree to "make one wise" was not merely intellectual curiosity but an intense, forbidden craving for a wisdom or status that God had withheld, indicating a shift from trust to illicit longing.
* **did eat (Hebrew, _ʼâkal'_):** From H398, this primitive root means "to eat" literally or figuratively, often implying consumption or devouring. The repetition of this word ("she took... and did eat... and he did eat") emphasizes the physical act of transgression. It highlights the direct, volitional act of consuming the forbidden fruit, making the disobedience concrete and undeniable.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when the woman saw that the tree [was] good for food":** This clause describes Eve's initial visual assessment. The serpent's words ([Genesis 3:4-5](/genesis/3-4-5 "The Serpent's Deceptive Promises in Genesis 3:4-5")) had already primed her mind to reconsider God's command. Her perception of the tree as "good for food" appeals to a natural, legitimate physical appetite, but it is now directed towards an object explicitly prohibited by God, marking the first step in the process of temptation.
* **"and that it [was] pleasant to the eyes":** This second observation speaks to the tree's aesthetic appeal and sensory gratification. The visual allure of the fruit ignited a desire for beauty and pleasure, demonstrating how temptation often begins with what is outwardly appealing, drawing one in through the senses. This resonates with the "lust of the eyes" later described in the New Testament.
* **"and a tree to be desired to make [one] wise":** This third perception reveals the deeper, more insidious appeal. It is not just about physical or aesthetic pleasure, but a profound longing for a forbidden wisdom and autonomy—to transcend human limits and become "like God" ([Genesis 3:5](/genesis/3-5 "The Serpent's Promise of God-likeness in Genesis 3:5")). This desire for self-determination and forbidden knowledge, rooted in covetousness, represents the spiritual dimension of the temptation.
* **"she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat":** This declarative statement marks the definitive act of rebellion. The verb "took" (H3947, _lâqach_) signifies a deliberate acquisition, and "did eat" (H398, _ʼâkal_) confirms the consumption. This was a conscious, volitional choice to disregard God's explicit command, a pivotal moment of disobedience.
* **"and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat":** This final clause implicates Adam directly. The phrase "with her" (H1571, _gam_) is crucial, indicating Adam's immediate presence and complicity. He was not an unwitting victim or absent bystander but a silent witness to Eve's transgression. His decision to join her in disobedience, rather than intervening or upholding God's word, underscores his co-responsibility and failure of headship. His act of eating seals humanity's fall.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of Genesis 3:6 employs several powerful **Literary Devices**. **Progression** is evident in Eve's temptation, moving from a visual assessment ("saw") to an internal desire ("pleasant to the eyes," "desired to make one wise") and finally to the decisive action ("took," "did eat"). This mirrors the universal pattern of temptation. The **Repetition** of the act of "eating" (by Eve and then Adam) emphasizes its finality and shared culpability. The tree itself functions as **Symbolism**, representing God's authority, the boundary of human freedom, and the test of obedience. The serpent's earlier words and Eve's subsequent actions demonstrate **Irony**, as the promised "wisdom" and "god-likeness" lead not to elevation but to shame, fear, and expulsion. Furthermore, the three appeals Eve responds to ("good for food," "pleasant to the eyes," "desired to make one wise") serve as a **Typology** or **Thematic Parallelism** for the "lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life" ([1 John 2:16](/1_john/2-16 "John's Warning Against Worldly Desires in 1 John 2:16")), highlighting the enduring nature of temptation's strategies.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 3:6 is a foundational text for understanding the biblical doctrine of sin and its profound implications. It reveals that sin is not merely an external act but originates in a heart that desires autonomy from God, choosing self-will over divine wisdom and benevolent command. This single act of disobedience by humanity's federal head, Adam, introduced a corrupted nature and spiritual death into the human race, necessitating God's redemptive intervention. The verse underscores the gravity of moral agency and the catastrophic consequences of rejecting God's authority, setting the stage for the entire biblical narrative of salvation.

* [Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Sin and Death Through Adam")
* [James 1:14-15](/james/1-14-15 "The Progression of Temptation to Sin")
* [1 John 2:16](/1_john/2-16 "The World's Desires and the Father's Will")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 3:6 serves as a timeless cautionary tale, urging believers to recognize the subtle yet powerful nature of temptation that targets our deepest desires for satisfaction, beauty, and wisdom. It calls us to cultivate spiritual discernment, relying not on our own understanding or the deceptive promises of the world, but on God's revealed Word as our ultimate guide for truth and life. Just as Jesus perfectly resisted every allure in the wilderness by quoting Scripture and trusting His Father ([Matthew 4:4](/matthew/4-4 "Jesus' Reliance on Scripture in Temptation")), so too are believers empowered by the Holy Spirit to choose obedience, find true life in Christ, and overcome the temptations that echo Eve's original sin. This verse reminds us that true wisdom and fulfillment are found not in grasping for forbidden knowledge or autonomy, but in humble submission to God's good and perfect will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I see the "good for food," "pleasant to the eyes," and "desired to make one wise" appeals manifest in temptations I face today?**
* **How does my desire for knowledge or personal autonomy sometimes lead me to disregard God's boundaries or wisdom?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a heart of trust and obedience to God's Word, especially when faced with alluring temptations?**

### FAQ

**Was Adam equally guilty as Eve, or more so?**

Answer: While Eve was the first to eat the fruit, the biblical narrative, particularly in the New Testament (e.g., [Romans 5:12-19](/romans/5-12-19 "Paul's Explanation of Sin Entering Through Adam") and [1 Corinthians 15:21-22](/1_corinthians/15-21-22 "Paul's Teaching on Adam and Christ")), attributes the entry of sin and death into the world primarily to Adam. This is because Adam was the federal head of humanity, the one with whom God made the initial covenant regarding the tree. His presence "with her" in [Genesis 3:6](/genesis/3-6 "Adam's Presence During the Fall") implies a conscious choice to participate rather than intervene, making his sin an act of willful disobedience and a failure of his headship as the one responsible for guarding the Garden and upholding God's command.

**What does "desired to make one wise" truly mean?**

Answer: This phrase, using the Hebrew word `chamad` (H2530), signifies more than simple intellectual curiosity. It points to an illicit longing, a coveting for a forbidden kind of wisdom—a wisdom that promised autonomy and god-likeness apart from God's revealed will. It implies a desire to define good and evil for oneself, rather than accepting God's definition, thereby challenging God's authority and sovereignty. This desire for self-determination and forbidden knowledge was the core of the serpent's temptation and the root of Eve's transgression, a desire to be "like God" in a way that usurped His rightful place.

**How does this verse relate to the concept of free will?**

Answer: [Genesis 3:6](/genesis/3-6 "The Fall and Free Will") powerfully demonstrates human free will. Eve and Adam were not compelled to disobey; they made a conscious choice to disregard God's clear command despite having the freedom to obey. Their decision highlights humanity's capacity for moral agency and the grave responsibility that comes with it. While tempted by an external force (the serpent), the act of taking and eating the fruit was an internal choice, freely made, with profound and lasting consequences that ripple through human history.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 3:6, while detailing humanity's tragic fall into sin, simultaneously sets the stage for God's redemptive plan, which finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Where Adam's disobedience brought sin and death to all humanity, Christ's perfect obedience, even unto death on the cross, provides righteousness and life to all who believe ([Romans 5:19](/romans/5-19 "Christ's Obedience Bringing Righteousness")). Unlike Eve, who succumbed to the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life, Jesus perfectly resisted these same temptations in the wilderness ([Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1-11 "Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness")), demonstrating the true path of obedience and trust in God's Word. He is the "last Adam" ([1 Corinthians 15:45](/1_corinthians/15-45 "Christ as the Last Adam")), reversing the curse of the first Adam, offering forgiveness for sin, and restoring humanity's broken relationship with God. Through His sacrifice and resurrection, Christ offers a new creation ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "New Creation in Christ")) where sin and death are ultimately overcome, and believers are empowered to live in obedience and fellowship with God, fulfilling the original purpose for which humanity was created.

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

1 John 2:16

For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

James 1:14

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

James 1:15

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

1 Timothy 2:14

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

2 Samuel 11:2

And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman [was] very beautiful to look upon.

Joshua 7:21

When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they [are] hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.

Hosea 6:7

But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.