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John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 3:4-24

Paradise and the FallIn this famous passage we possess a wealth of moral and spiritual teaching regarding God and man. The intention of the writer is evidently to give an answer to the question: How did sin and misery find their way into the world? As is natural among Orientals he put his reply into narrative form; and though it is generally accepted that the details are to be interpreted symbolically rather than literally, yet they are in marvellous agreement with the real facts of human... read more

Charles John Ellicott

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

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 3:14-15

(14, 15) Unto the serpent.—As the serpent had tempted our first parents purposely and consciously in order to lead them into sin, he stood there without excuse, and received a threefold penalty. The outward form of the condemnation is made suitable to the shape which the tempter had assumed; but the true force and meaning, especially in the last and most intense portion of the sentence, belong, not to the animal, but to Satan himself. The serpent is but the type: diabolic agency the reality.... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 3:16

(16) Unto the woman he said.—The woman is not cursed as the serpent was, but punished as next in guilt; and the retribution is twofold. First, God greatly multiplies “her sorrow and her conception,” that is, her sorrow generally, but especially in connection with pregnancy, when with anguish and peril of life she wins the joy of bringing a man into the world. But also “thy desire shall be to thy husband.” In the sin she had been the prime actor, and the man had yielded her too ready an... 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 3:15

3:15 And I will put enmity between {o} thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy {p} head, and thou shalt {q} bruise his heel.(o) He chiefly means Satan, by whose action and deceit the serpent deceived the woman.(p) That is, the power of sin and death.(q) Satan shall sting Christ and his members, but not overcome them. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Genesis 3:16

3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy {r} sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire [shall be] to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.(r) The Lord comforts Adam by the promise of the blessed seed, and also punishes the body for the sin which the soul should have been punished for; that the spirit having conceived hope of forgiveness might live by faith. 1 Corinthians 14:34. 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

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