Genesis 3
Genesis 3
In chapter 3, the second creation account gives way to important events that unfold as a result of Adam and Eve and the way they rule over the earth. This is a continuation of the (J) tradition that began in Genesis 2:4. The serpent (snake) is the first non-human creature that is mentioned by name in Genesis. There has been much conjecture about this serpent. Those of you not very familiar with chapter 3 may wish to read it again now. I will wait.
Welcome back. Several interesting things might be read into the story with relative ease. First, the serpent is more subtil, or crafty than any other beast of the field. This is from the Hebrew word, aruwm, which can mean sensible, sly, shrewd, wise, or even prudent depending on context. Note also that the serpent speaks to Eve and she is not startled. I don’t know about you, but if I heard an animal speaking to me, I would be a bit shocked. Perhaps they had spoken with the serpent before, or perhaps humans and animals could converse before the fall. Who knows?
It is widely believed that either the serpent was the devil, or that God allowed the serpent to be controlled by the devil. Based on later evidence, we might also assume at this point that the serpent had legs. The serpent impressed Eve that the fruit of the tree of knowledge and evil should be eaten, despite God’s clear prohibition. Eve perceived that the food was pleasant to the eyes, good for food, and that she could gain wisdom by eating the fruit. (Compare with 1 John 2:16) This serves as an example of things that John describes as “not of the Father.” We do not know how Eve caused Adam to hearken unto her, but the Bible does say that Adam was with her and he ate it also. It seems that both were involved in a conscious sin. They knew the rules, knew the consequences, and yielded to temptation anyway. Sin, therefore, represents a self-centered, voluntary defiance of God’s will for us.
Perhaps, you have heard stories of the mythological character, Lilith. Some see Lilith in the serpent figure, here. Remember, Adam inspected all the beasts of the field for a companion and none was found suitable. Some have conjectured that Lilith was one of the rejected beasts, though with a high degree or reason, which then was jealous of Eve, for being selected by Adam. This is outside the Bible, and mentioned only for those who might be curious. Actually, there is one obscure Biblical reference to a Lilith. Isaiah 34:14 in the KJV translates the Hebrew, liylyith, obscurely as screech owls, and the NIV almost as obscurely says, “night creatures.” The NRSV leaves it relatively untranslated as Lilith, and is a reference to an ancient feminine mythological demon of the night and dark things that some believed haunted the barren places of Edom.
Interestingly, a minority of Jewish scholars in ancient times, in an attempt to meld the two creation accounts into one, regarded Lilith, as that woman God created from dust along with man in Genesis 1. They then conjecture that Adam rejected her because she felt equal to him as they were both created by God from dust, in His image. So, with Lilith gone, God then creates Eve from Adam’s flesh as a helper. You can go a long way reading things into the Bible that are not there. Many Christians need to be aware of such beliefs because in the New Age we find ourselves, notions such as this spring up from time to time. Just as Satan practiced, you mix a little truth with your lie and it gets much more tempting to believe. Remember the all-female concert series through the late 90’s called Lilith Fair? Feel any differently about it now? What a bizarre idea to hold up as honorable! It would be strange indeed to read the Bible in context and consider either the serpent, or Lilith, as a good thing. Everywhere the concept appears in antiquity, it is evil.
Whether the serpent was the prince of this world (John 12:31), a creature controlled by the devil, or simply a jealous and rational beast, the serpent is associated with the first appearance of sin, disobedience in this world, and it spread like wildfire. As a result the serpent, Eve (Chavah meaning life or living), ground, and everything created from it (adamah) was cursed. All creation was cursed. (Romans 8:22) More about that later.
In chapter 3, the second creation account gives way to important events that unfold as a result of Adam and Eve and the way they rule over the earth. This is a continuation of the (J) tradition that began in Genesis 2:4. The serpent (snake) is the first non-human creature that is mentioned by name in Genesis. There has been much conjecture about this serpent. Those of you not very familiar with chapter 3 may wish to read it again now. I will wait.
Welcome back. Several interesting things might be read into the story with relative ease. First, the serpent is more subtil, or crafty than any other beast of the field. This is from the Hebrew word, aruwm, which can mean sensible, sly, shrewd, wise, or even prudent depending on context. Note also that the serpent speaks to Eve and she is not startled. I don’t know about you, but if I heard an animal speaking to me, I would be a bit shocked. Perhaps they had spoken with the serpent before, or perhaps humans and animals could converse before the fall. Who knows?
It is widely believed that either the serpent was the devil, or that God allowed the serpent to be controlled by the devil. Based on later evidence, we might also assume at this point that the serpent had legs. The serpent impressed Eve that the fruit of the tree of knowledge and evil should be eaten, despite God’s clear prohibition. Eve perceived that the food was pleasant to the eyes, good for food, and that she could gain wisdom by eating the fruit. (Compare with 1 John 2:16) This serves as an example of things that John describes as “not of the Father.” We do not know how Eve caused Adam to hearken unto her, but the Bible does say that Adam was with her and he ate it also. It seems that both were involved in a conscious sin. They knew the rules, knew the consequences, and yielded to temptation anyway. Sin, therefore, represents a self-centered, voluntary defiance of God’s will for us.
Perhaps, you have heard stories of the mythological character, Lilith. Some see Lilith in the serpent figure, here. Remember, Adam inspected all the beasts of the field for a companion and none was found suitable. Some have conjectured that Lilith was one of the rejected beasts, though with a high degree or reason, which then was jealous of Eve, for being selected by Adam. This is outside the Bible, and mentioned only for those who might be curious. Actually, there is one obscure Biblical reference to a Lilith. Isaiah 34:14 in the KJV translates the Hebrew, liylyith, obscurely as screech owls, and the NIV almost as obscurely says, “night creatures.” The NRSV leaves it relatively untranslated as Lilith, and is a reference to an ancient feminine mythological demon of the night and dark things that some believed haunted the barren places of Edom.
Interestingly, a minority of Jewish scholars in ancient times, in an attempt to meld the two creation accounts into one, regarded Lilith, as that woman God created from dust along with man in Genesis 1. They then conjecture that Adam rejected her because she felt equal to him as they were both created by God from dust, in His image. So, with Lilith gone, God then creates Eve from Adam’s flesh as a helper. You can go a long way reading things into the Bible that are not there. Many Christians need to be aware of such beliefs because in the New Age we find ourselves, notions such as this spring up from time to time. Just as Satan practiced, you mix a little truth with your lie and it gets much more tempting to believe. Remember the all-female concert series through the late 90’s called Lilith Fair? Feel any differently about it now? What a bizarre idea to hold up as honorable! It would be strange indeed to read the Bible in context and consider either the serpent, or Lilith, as a good thing. Everywhere the concept appears in antiquity, it is evil.
Whether the serpent was the prince of this world (John 12:31), a creature controlled by the devil, or simply a jealous and rational beast, the serpent is associated with the first appearance of sin, disobedience in this world, and it spread like wildfire. As a result the serpent, Eve (Chavah meaning life or living), ground, and everything created from it (adamah) was cursed. All creation was cursed. (Romans 8:22) More about that later.
posted by Nick | 4:00 PM
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