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Genesis 3:10

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

And he said {H559}, I heard {H8085} thy voice {H6963} in the garden {H1588}, and I was afraid {H3372}, because I {H595} was naked {H5903}; and I hid myself {H2244}.

He answered, “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself.”

“I heard Your voice in the garden,” he replied, “and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.”

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

Commentary

Context of Genesis 3:10

Genesis 3:10 captures Adam's immediate response to God after he and Eve had disobeyed God by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Prior to this pivotal moment, Adam and Eve existed in a state of innocence, where their physical nakedness brought no shame (Genesis 2:25). Their sin, however, instantly altered their perception and relationship with God. This verse is Adam's confession of fear and shame, triggered by God's compassionate inquiry, "Where art thou?" in Genesis 3:9.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Fear and Shame as Consequences of Sin: Adam's declaration, "I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself," reveals the immediate psychological and emotional fallout of disobedience. The nakedness that was once natural and innocent now brings profound shame and dread, leading to an instinct to conceal oneself.
  • Broken Fellowship with God: Before the Fall, Adam and Eve walked freely and openly with God in the Garden. This verse marks the abrupt cessation of that unhindered fellowship. Sin creates a barrier, causing humanity to hide from the very presence of God.
  • The Nature of Guilt: Adam's fear is rooted in guilt. He knows he has transgressed, and this knowledge produces a profound sense of vulnerability and exposure before a holy God. This is a universal human experience of guilt following wrongdoing.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV word "afraid" comes from the Hebrew term yare (יָרֵא), which in this context denotes a profound sense of dread, terror, or apprehension rather than reverential awe. This fear is a direct result of their newfound awareness of sin. The word "naked" (Hebrew: arom, עָרוֹם) is crucial here. While Adam and Eve were physically naked before their sin (Genesis 2:25, using a similar root), after eating the fruit, their nakedness becomes a symbol of their exposed guilt, vulnerability, and spiritual destitution. It's not just a physical state, but a profound spiritual and emotional realization of their fallen condition.

Practical Application

Genesis 3:10 offers timeless insights into the human condition. It illustrates that sin invariably leads to fear, shame, and a desire to hide, not only from God but often from ourselves and others. We instinctively try to cover our transgressions, much like Adam and Eve trying to cover their nakedness. However, this verse also subtly highlights God's unwavering pursuit of humanity. Even in their hiding, God initiates the conversation, calling out to Adam. This foreshadows God's ongoing initiative to reconcile humanity to Himself, ultimately through Christ's atoning sacrifice, providing a covering for our sins and restoring fellowship. For believers today, it serves as a reminder that true peace comes not from hiding our sins, but from confessing them and embracing God's grace and forgiveness.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 2:25 (9 votes)

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

  • Isaiah 47:3 (7 votes)

    Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet [thee as] a man.

  • Psalms 119:120 (7 votes)

    My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

  • Isaiah 57:11 (7 votes)

    And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid [it] to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?

  • 1 John 3:20 (6 votes)

    ¶ For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

  • Job 23:15 (5 votes)

    Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.

  • Exodus 3:6 (5 votes)

    Moreover he said, I [am] the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.