Genesis 3:7

And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they [were] naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

And the eyes {H5869} of them both {H8147} were opened {H6491}, and they {H1992} knew {H3045} that they were naked {H5903}; and they sewed {H8609} fig {H8384} leaves {H5929} together {H8609}, and made themselves {H6213} aprons {H2290}.

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized that they were naked. So they sewed fig leaves together to make themselves loincloths.

And the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; so they sewed together fig leaves and made coverings for themselves.

And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig-leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

Commentary

Genesis 3:7 vividly describes the immediate, profound consequences of Adam and Eve's disobedience in the Garden of Eden. Following their consumption of the forbidden fruit, their state of innocent unawareness was shattered, ushering in a new, painful awareness of their vulnerability and guilt.

Context

Prior to this moment, Adam and Eve were naked and felt no shame (Genesis 2:25), living in perfect harmony with God and creation. The serpent's temptation (Genesis 3:1-5) led them to doubt God's word and disobey His command (Genesis 3:6). Verse 7 marks the direct and instantaneous spiritual and psychological fallout of that first sin, revealing the immediate disruption of their pre-fall innocence and their relationship with God.

Key Themes

  • Loss of Innocence and Awakening of Shame: The "opening of their eyes" was not an enlightenment to truth, but a painful realization of their exposed, fallen state. This new knowledge brought self-consciousness and deep shame, fundamentally altering their perception of themselves and each other.
  • Immediate Consequences of Sin: Disobedience brought an immediate spiritual death, marked by a broken relationship with God and the internal torment of guilt. Their first instinct was to hide, reflecting a broken inner peace.
  • Human Attempt at Self-Covering: The act of sewing fig leaves together represents humanity's earliest attempt to cover its own sin and shame through self-effort. This act, though understandable from a human perspective, was ultimately insufficient to address the spiritual breach with God. It highlights the futility of human works in atoning for sin.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "eyes of them both were opened" (Hebrew: ื•ึทืชึผึดืคึผึธืงึทื—ึฐื ึธื” ืขึตื™ื ึตื™ ืฉืึฐื ึตื™ื”ึถื, vatipaqakhna `einei shneihem) does not signify a positive intellectual awakening, but rather a tragic awareness of their altered spiritual condition and physical nakedness, previously unnoticed or irrelevant. Their "knowing" (Hebrew: ื™ึธื“ึฐืขื•ึผ, yade'u) that they were naked was an experiential, profound realization tied directly to their newfound shame and guilt. The "fig leaves" (Hebrew: ืชึผึฐืึตื ึธื”, te'enah) were their immediate, rudimentary, and inadequate solution to cover their shame, contrasting sharply with God's later provision.

Practical Application

Genesis 3:7 serves as a foundational text for understanding the nature of sin and its consequences. It reveals the immediate impact of sin on human consciousness, leading to shame, guilt, and a desire to hide. It also illustrates humanity's innate tendency to try and cover its own failings through self-effort โ€“ a futile exercise that cannot truly address the spiritual brokenness caused by sin. This verse sets the stage for God's gracious intervention, where He provides a more permanent and righteous covering (Genesis 3:21), foreshadowing the ultimate covering for sin provided through Jesus Christ. It reminds us that true atonement and freedom from shame come not from our own works, but from God's divine provision.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 59:6

    Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works [are] works of iniquity, and the act of violence [is] in their hands.

  • Genesis 2:25

    And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

  • Genesis 3:5

    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.

  • Job 9:29

    [If] I be wicked, why then labour I in vain?

  • Job 9:31

    Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.

  • Isaiah 28:20

    For the bed is shorter than that [a man] can stretch himself [on it]: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself [in it].

  • Genesis 3:10

    And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I [was] naked; and I hid myself.
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