Genesis 3:4

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 3:1-24

EXCURSUS C: ON THE DURATION OF THE PARADISIACAL STATE OF INNOCENCE.The Bereshit Rabba argues that Adam and Eve remained in their original state of innocence for six hours only. Others have supposed that the events recorded in Genesis 2:4 to Genesis 3:24 took place in the course of twenty-four hours, and suppose that this is proved by what is said in Genesis 2:4, that the earth and heavens, with Adam and the garden, were all made in one day, before the end of which they suppose that he fell.... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Genesis 3:1-24

The Fall Genesis 3:0 Moral evil cannot be accounted for by referring it to a brute source. Vitally important truths underlie the narrative and are bodied forth by it. But the way to reach these truths is not to adhere too rigidly to the literal meaning, but to catch the general impression. I. Variety of interpretation in details is not to be lamented. The very purpose of such representations as are here given is to suit all stages of mental and physical advancement. II. The most significant... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Genesis 3:1-24

THE FALLGenesis 3:1-24PROFOUND as the teaching of this narrative is, its meaning does not lie on the surface. Literal interpretation will reach a measure of its significance, but plainly there is more here than appears in the letter. When we read that the serpent was more subtile than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made, and that he tempted the woman, we at once perceive that it is not with the outer husk of the story we are to concern ourselves, but with the kernel. The... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 3:1-24

CHAPTER 3 The Fall of Man 1. The serpent and the woman (Genesis 3:1-5 ) 2. The fall and the immediate results (Genesis 3:6-7 ) 3. Jehovah Elohim questions Adam (Genesis 3:8-12 ) 4. His question to the woman (Genesis 3:13 ) 5. The curse upon the serpent (Genesis 3:14-21 ) 6. The first prophecy (Genesis 3:15 ) 7. The sentence upon the woman (Genesis 3:16 ) 8. The sentence upon the man (Genesis 3:17-19 ) 9. The faith of Adam and God’s answer (Genesis 3:20-21 ) 10. The expulsion... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Genesis 3:4

3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely {d} die:(d) This is Satan’s chiefest subtilty, to cause us not to fear God’s warnings. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 3:1-24

THE FALL OF MAN The serpent is introduced in this chapter as being more cunning than all other beasts. This was evidently so just by the fact of Satan's using the serpent for his mouthpiece. It is not likely that the woman had heard any other animal speak, and when the serpent spoke to her, she ought to have been doubly on her guard. God has never allowed Satan to appear to mankind as he is in his own person, except in his temptation of the Lord Jesus (Matthew 4:3-11). Satan's awesome dignity... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Genesis 3:1-24

THE INTRODUCTION OF SIN THE TEMPTATION (Genesis 3:1-5 ) That more than the serpent was present is suggested by the speech and reasoning powers displayed, but is rendered certain by a comparison of Revelation 12:9 ; Revelation 20:2 , where the serpent is identified with Satan. Some think the serpent originally stood upright and was very beautiful to look upon, which, if true, would contribute to its power over the woman and further explain why Satan employed it as his instrument.... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Genesis 3:1-24

The Woman, the Serpent, and the Fall Gen 3:1-5 What a vain wrangling of words there has been about this serpent talking! I pass by that altogether, and settle myself on the unquestionable fact that the woman did actually eat of the fruit and that human nature has ever since suffered from the effects of her doing so. Evidently something has disagreed with the world. We do not trust, love, honour, and help one another; we are selfish, mean, irascible, unforgiving; we know that our... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Genesis 3:4-5

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. Reader! remark the progress of the enemy. He had before been working upon our mother's mind, to disbelieve what God hath said: and now he advanceth further, in a way of insinuation, that so far would the breach of the divine command be from producing any evil, that it would bring good. Reader! pause over this account, and in your own instance make the diligent... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 3:1-5

1-5 Satan assaulted our first parents, to draw them to sin, and the temptation proved fatal to them. The tempter was the devil, in the shape and likeness of a serpent. Satan's plan was to draw our first parents to sin, and so to separate between them and their God. Thus the devil was from the beginning a murderer, and the great mischief maker. The person tempted was the woman: it was Satan's policy to enter into talk with her when she was alone. There are many temptations to which being alone... read more