Genesis 16 – 19
Verse 16: I find it interesting that God says he will “increase” her pains in childbearing. It seems to imply that some level of pain in childbearing had already existed.
It is important to understand the true meaning of the word “desire” as used in this verse. In today’s culture, desire is often associated with sex or lust. However, when you look up the Hebrew word that is actually used here, t@shuwqah {tesh-oo-kaw'}, you find that it is defined as: 1) desire, longing, craving, a) of man for woman, b) of woman for man, c) of beast to devour. T@shuwqah is from the root word, shuwq {shook}, in the original sense of stretching out after. The word, shuwq {shook}, is translated as “overflowing.” Thus, it seems safe to say that this would be an overwhelming desire. Furthermore, the word that is used for “desire” in this verse is also the same word that is used in Geneseis 4:7 when speaking of sin’s desire to rule over Cain. Just as sin desires to rule over Cain, so Eve will now desire to rule over her husband. This conclusion is confirmed by the rest of the verse which states: “and he will rule over you.” A once harmoneous relationship has now become embattled by sin.
It is also important to note that this verse is specifically addressing husbands not men in general. Women are not to be ruled by all men, but by their husbands.
Verse 17: Adam did not sin because he listened to and trusted his wife. Adam sinned because he listened to and trusted his wife above God. This distinction is made clear by God’s reiteration of His command not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In other words, God is saying, “Look, I told you one thing, your wife told you another, and you chose to listen to her instead of Me.”
Verses 17 – 19: Notice that God does not say the ground is cursed because of the serpent, or the woman. God says to Adam “Cursed is the ground because of you”. He then goes on to describe the struggle man will endure in trying to produce food.
**Remember that man was ever intended to be idle, -see Gen.1:29, 2:15- but now the work of producing something to eat would be a burden instead of a blessing.
Lastly, God reminds Adam of where he came from- dust. The last part of this curse is a reference to death, but it is also a humbling reminder for Adam. Adam has sinned in trying to be like God. Here, God reminds Adam that he would not exist apart from God. He reminds him that Adam is the created and only God is the Creator.
**I find an interesting theme in the sentencing of all 3 sinners (the serpent, Adam, and Eve). Each of the curses addressed to them deals with conflict brought on by sin, and each deals with one’s desire to be superior. Just as they attempted to become equal with God by eating the fruit, now they are all cursed to struggle endlessly and fruitlessly for a higher position. The serpent will wish to conquer/destroy the woman and her offspring, but she shall crush his head. The woman shall desire to rule over her husband, but he shall rule over her. The man shall wish to produce food from the earth, but it shall produce thorns and thistles for him. How humbling for the man! He desired to become like God, but now he cannot even control the dust from which he came.
It is important to understand the true meaning of the word “desire” as used in this verse. In today’s culture, desire is often associated with sex or lust. However, when you look up the Hebrew word that is actually used here, t@shuwqah {tesh-oo-kaw'}, you find that it is defined as: 1) desire, longing, craving, a) of man for woman, b) of woman for man, c) of beast to devour. T@shuwqah is from the root word, shuwq {shook}, in the original sense of stretching out after. The word, shuwq {shook}, is translated as “overflowing.” Thus, it seems safe to say that this would be an overwhelming desire. Furthermore, the word that is used for “desire” in this verse is also the same word that is used in Geneseis 4:7 when speaking of sin’s desire to rule over Cain. Just as sin desires to rule over Cain, so Eve will now desire to rule over her husband. This conclusion is confirmed by the rest of the verse which states: “and he will rule over you.” A once harmoneous relationship has now become embattled by sin.
It is also important to note that this verse is specifically addressing husbands not men in general. Women are not to be ruled by all men, but by their husbands.
Verse 17: Adam did not sin because he listened to and trusted his wife. Adam sinned because he listened to and trusted his wife above God. This distinction is made clear by God’s reiteration of His command not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In other words, God is saying, “Look, I told you one thing, your wife told you another, and you chose to listen to her instead of Me.”
Verses 17 – 19: Notice that God does not say the ground is cursed because of the serpent, or the woman. God says to Adam “Cursed is the ground because of you”. He then goes on to describe the struggle man will endure in trying to produce food.
**Remember that man was ever intended to be idle, -see Gen.1:29, 2:15- but now the work of producing something to eat would be a burden instead of a blessing.
Lastly, God reminds Adam of where he came from- dust. The last part of this curse is a reference to death, but it is also a humbling reminder for Adam. Adam has sinned in trying to be like God. Here, God reminds Adam that he would not exist apart from God. He reminds him that Adam is the created and only God is the Creator.
**I find an interesting theme in the sentencing of all 3 sinners (the serpent, Adam, and Eve). Each of the curses addressed to them deals with conflict brought on by sin, and each deals with one’s desire to be superior. Just as they attempted to become equal with God by eating the fruit, now they are all cursed to struggle endlessly and fruitlessly for a higher position. The serpent will wish to conquer/destroy the woman and her offspring, but she shall crush his head. The woman shall desire to rule over her husband, but he shall rule over her. The man shall wish to produce food from the earth, but it shall produce thorns and thistles for him. How humbling for the man! He desired to become like God, but now he cannot even control the dust from which he came.
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