Genesis 3: Eating, Ruling, & Conception

Here are some more thoughts on Genesis 3, in no particular order:

Keyword of Genesis 3: אכַל (verb: to eat). Because their sin came from eating, mankind's consequences will also affect their ability to eat and the ease with which they used to eat.

Neither the man or the woman are cursed. Only the snake and the ground.

The term for "he will rule (over you)" in Gen 3:16 is not רָדָה which was used earlier for the relationship between man and the animals. This term gives the connotation of subjugation and "treading" on something while ruling (which tends to be how male headship is enacted, even if it is not always recognized as doing so). The word is מָשַׁל (Q, imperfect). This verb to rule (also used for "to make like" or "assimilate" such as to use a proverb or sing a song), is first used in Gen 1:16-18 when talking about the relationship of the sun and moon to the day and the night. That is not a headship term, but one of giving. For the sun gives light making day profitable and the moon gives light making night profitable. This is about duty and speaks more of the sun and moon than it does of what they "rule" over. The מָשַׁל of man over woman is not the same as the רָדָה given to them over animals or the command of כָּבַשׁ (subdue) that was given as a detail of what they should be doing (Gen 1:28) to the earth. The woman is neither animal to be dominated, nor the earth to be subdued. She is to be like the day to the sun and like the night to the moon (each of which is able to function even if the "rulers"—sun and moon—are hidden from view. The day and night give purpose to the sun and moon. They do no function alone. So should the man and woman work to function together, with a joint purpose. The Lord is the true ruler (Judges 8:23). It is a servant leadership, looking out for the best interests of those who are ruled that is expected. Not tyranny.

Note Khavah (Eve), after being told of the power that is to come from her seed (not Adam's seed) is told that there will be hardship/anxiety about conception and pregnancy. This theme is played out repeatedly in the narratives of the line of the Messiah (getting Tamar pregnant, Sarai's bareness, the anxiety/hardship between Leah and Rachel, Noami & Ruth's search for an heir). Even Jesus had anxiety/hardship associated with the circumstances of his conception. Does this also relate now to the issues modern women have with infertility, birth defects, complications in pregnancy?

Genesis 3: Dropping YHWH

Interesting note that I had not realized before taking the time to start translating Genesis from Hebrew into English and will end up taking more time to think about: Genesis 1 refers to the Creator as "Elohim" (generic word meaning "god" and really doesn't go into too much detail about his interactions with creation. Genesis 2 elaborates and calls him "YHWH Elohim", so he is now named. Personal, relatable. It is Yhwh Elohim that forms animals and mankind from the dust and breathes his life into them. It is Yhwh Elohim that knew it was not good for man to be alone (and that man needed to understand this for himself). Yet, in Genesis 3, the snake does not use the name Yhwh, but only Elohim. And the Woman follows suit calling him Elohim, but dropping the Yhwh. For me, this is an acknowledgement to never forget the relational, personal Yhwh who knows my needs/wants and has a desire to fill them before I know I am lacking. Yes, having an elohim is good, but YHWH Elohim is best.

Note that the first thing that man, now a co-creator on earth, makes is the loin-coverings from figs once they have realized their nakedness.

Vs 8: The voice is of YHWH Elohim, so the narrator understands that God is still relational. His voice is heard. His face is to be seen—that is what they hide from: his face.

Notes on Gen 1 & 2

Throughout the creation process, God makes his creation a partner in the initial and continued creation process. He ordered the Earth to bring forth the plants. The ground was used to make the animals and human. The plants and fruit were to be self-perpetuating (containing seed) as were animals and humans. The blessing is to be fruitful and multiply - to create. Is this why Lucifer was jealous? This lowly planet took place in initial and continued creation and he could not.