Genesis 3:16-4:2 NIV

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 3:16

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

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 3:16

Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy 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. Job 14:1 ; 1 Corinthians 14:34 . Who should have thought, that under this sentence of the woman so much grace was hid. The Church, which our first mother might here be said to represent, is set forth in all the scriptures as having an unceasing desire after Jesus, her Ishi: that is, her husband. Isaiah 26:8... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Genesis 3:16

And thy conceptions. Septuagint:"thy groaning." The multifarious sorrows of childbearing, must remind all mothers (the blessed Virgin alone excepted) of what they have incurred by original sin. If that had not taken place, they would have conceived with out concupiscence, and brought forth without sorrow. (St. Augustine, City of God xiv. 26.)--- Conceptions are multiplied on account of the many untimely deaths, in our fallen state. Power, which will sometimes be exercised with rigor.... read more