Genesis 3

The chapter

Genesis 3 is the chapter of the Fall — the account of how Adam and Eve disobeyed the command of God in the garden and how the LORD, in the same breath in which He judged them, promised the coming of a Deliverer. Christian tradition since Justin Martyr and Irenaeus (second century) has called Genesis 3:15 the protoevangelium — 'the first Gospel.'

Who wrote it

Traditionally attributed to Moses, as part of the Torah.

Historical and geographical context

Set in Eden — a garden whose location the text places 'eastward' (Genesis 2:8), watered by four rivers including the Tigris and Euphrates. Modern discussion identifies neither garden nor exact location. The Christian tradition reads Genesis 3 not primarily as a physical topography but as the theological account of what happened when humanity walked away from God — a truth Christ came to reverse.

Important verses

• Genesis 3:1 (KJV) 'Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made.'
• Genesis 3:5 (KJV) '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.'
• Genesis 3:6 (KJV) '…she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.'
• Genesis 3:9 (KJV) '…the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?'
• Genesis 3:15 (KJV) 'And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.'
• Genesis 3:19 (KJV) '…for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.'
• Genesis 3:21 (KJV) 'Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.' (the first sacrifice)

Christ-centred reading

Genesis 3:15 is called the protoevangelium — 'the first Gospel.' Read by Christian tradition as the first promise of Christ: the seed of the woman who will bruise the head of the serpent. Paul takes up the theme in Romans 5 (the first Adam and the second Adam) and in 1 Corinthians 15:22 ('as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive'). Mary is called by the Fathers 'the New Eve.'

In Christian tradition

• Read at every Easter Vigil (Genesis 1-3 as the Creation-Fall-Redemption arc).
• Cited by Justin Martyr (Dialogue with Trypho, c. 155) and Irenaeus (Against Heresies, c. 180) as the first Gospel.
• The 'coats of skins' (Genesis 3:21) is read by the Fathers as the first sacrifice — God providing covering at the cost of a life.
• The doctrine of original sin (Augustine and after) is grounded here.

Connected People

• Adam and Eve — the first man and woman.
• Christ Jesus — the second Adam.
• Mary — the New Eve.
• The serpent — identified by Christian tradition (Revelation 12:9) with Satan.

Household application

Read Genesis 3 alongside John 3:16. The problem is here; the answer is there.

Teach the little ones that from the very first page of the Bible after the good beginning, God promised a Rescuer — and that the whole rest of the Bible is His long faithful keeping of that promise.

Room connections

Where this entry meets the household in the wider house of CrossAIHub.

• Read (Library) — Read Genesis 1-3 as a unit at every Easter Vigil.
• Pray (Chapel) — Pray for the household to hear the LORD's 'Where art thou?' — the first pastoral question.
• Family (Kitchen Table) — Discuss with children: what does 'ye shall be as gods' mean, and why is it a lie?
• Sing (Choir Room) — Sing 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel' (twelfth century) — a hymn that longs for the promise of Gen 3:15.
• Learn (Workshop) — Study Irenaeus, Against Heresies III.22-23, on the Adam / Christ and Eve / Mary parallels.

Further reading

Genesis 3 in the KJV.

Romans 5:12-21.

1 Corinthians 15:22.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies III.22-23.

Elsewhere in the Atlas

• Adam
• Eve
• Christ Jesus
• Mary, mother of Christ
• Genesis 1
• Return to the atrium — the Atlas's main room.