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Genesis 3:19

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In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou [art], and unto dust shalt thou return.

In the sweat {H2188} of thy face {H639} shalt thou eat {H398} bread {H3899}, till {H5704} thou return {H7725} unto the ground {H127}; for out of it wast thou taken {H3947}: for dust {H6083} thou {H859} art, and unto dust {H6083} shalt thou return {H7725}.

You will eat bread by the sweat of your forehead till you return to the ground — for you were taken out of it: you are dust, and you will return to dust.”

By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground— because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”

in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Commentary

Genesis 3:19 (KJV) stands as a pivotal verse detailing the immediate and lasting consequences of humanity's disobedience in the Garden of Eden. It pronounces the curse of toil and mortality upon Adam and, by extension, all mankind, linking human existence directly to the earth from which it originated.

Context

This verse is part of God's divine judgment following the sin of Adam and Eve, who ate from the forbidden tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Prior to this, God had already pronounced curses upon the serpent and the woman. Here, God addresses Adam directly, specifying the hardship he will face in cultivating the ground, which was also cursed for Adam's sake. The idyllic existence in Eden is replaced by a life of labor and the inevitability of physical death, fundamentally altering the human condition.

Key Themes

  • The Consequence of Sin: The verse clearly links human toil and mortality to the act of disobedience. Life after the Fall is marked by struggle and effort ("sweat of thy face") to sustain oneself.
  • Human Mortality: It explicitly declares the finite nature of human life, stating that man will "return unto the ground." This pronouncement establishes death as the ultimate physical consequence of sin, a theme echoed throughout Scripture, such as in Romans 5:12.
  • Humanity's Origin: The phrase "for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou [art], and unto dust shalt thou return" serves as a stark reminder of humanity's humble beginnings. It directly references God's creation of Adam from the dust of the ground, as described in Genesis 2:7.
  • God's Justice and Sovereignty: Even in judgment, God's decree is just and absolute, demonstrating His authority over creation and the consequences of moral transgression.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "in the sweat of thy face" (Hebrew: b'ze'at 'appeyka) vividly portrays the arduous physical labor that would characterize human existence outside of Eden. The Hebrew word for "sweat" (ze'ah) emphasizes the painful effort required. The repeated use of "dust" (Hebrew: 'aphar) underscores the material origin and ultimate fate of the human body, reinforcing the idea of returning to the earth from which one came. This emphasizes the transient nature of the flesh.

Practical Application

Genesis 3:19 offers several profound insights for contemporary life:

  • Understanding Life's Toil: It helps us understand why life is often filled with hardship, work, and challenges. The necessity of labor is a direct result of the Fall, not merely a societal construct.
  • Embracing Our Mortality: The verse serves as a sober reminder of our finite physical existence. This awareness can encourage us to live purposefully, recognizing the temporary nature of earthly life and the importance of our spiritual state. The concept of "dust to dust" is a foundational truth acknowledged in many cultures and faiths.
  • Hope Beyond the Curse: While the verse pronounces a curse, it also implicitly points to the need for redemption. The New Testament reveals that through Christ, the curse of sin and death is ultimately overcome. Just as death came through one man (Adam), life came through one man (Jesus Christ), offering the hope of resurrection and eternal life to those who believe.
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

  • Ecclesiastes 12:7 (25 votes)

    Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

  • Job 34:15 (17 votes)

    All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.

  • Psalms 104:29 (13 votes)

    Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.

  • Genesis 2:7 (11 votes)

    And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

  • Psalms 90:3 (10 votes)

    Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men.

  • Ephesians 4:28 (7 votes)

    Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with [his] hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:21 (6 votes)

    For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead.