Genesis 3: 20 – 24, & 4: 1
Verse 20:
Notice that this is not the first time that Adam named Eve. (Gen. 2:23)
The Hebrew word for Eve’s name is, “Chavvah” {khav-vaw'}. It is defined as “life” or “living.” Scripture itself defines her name as meaning “mother of all the living.”
It is interesting to make a comparison of Adam’s name- which means “red earth” and is therefore associated with death- and Eve’s name – which means “mother of all living.”
Eve, until now, had simply been called “woman”. In Hebrew the word is, “'ishshah” {ish-shaw'} and means “woman, wife, or female.” Until now, her role had simply been that of wife. Now, Adam gave her a new name, “Eve”, which identified her as a mother. (Although the blessing to increase in number had been given in Gen 1:28, no child had yet been born.)
Adam’s choice of name clearly shows that he was paying attention to the serpent’s curse when God spoke of the woman’s seed crushing the head of the serpent. His naming of Eve also seems to indicate his repentant heart and renewed faith in God’s Word, both in the implied promise given within the context of the curse, and in the continuance of God’s original blessing given in Genesis 1: 28, “….Be fruitful and increase in number; ….” .
Verses 21 – 24 reveal God’s incredible mercy and grace. Despite their incredible sin, He is compassionate toward their shame and provides them with clothing. He is concerned for their souls and protects them from their own wickedness by placing a barrier between them and the tree of life.
These verses are also the first record of death in scripture. The animals whose skin was used must have been slain. So it is important to ask, “Why were these animals killed”? The answer: to cover the shame of Adam and Eve- to symbolicly cover their sin. Just as later jews would sacrifice a lamb at the altar, this was a symbolism of the ultimate sacrifice to come- Jesus Christ the Lamb of God sacrificed to cover our sin and shame. Also, it is important to notice, that in this original covering, Adam and Eve had no part in it. God provided the covering. They did not/could not cover themselves.
Chapter 4 verse 1:
Although the blessing/command to increase in number was given in Gen. 1:28, it is not until after the curse (in chapter 4 verse 1) that Adam lays with his wife. In fact, this is recorded as his second act after receiving his sentence. (His first being to rename Eve.) This would seem to be further proof of his repentant heart, for he is now acting in faith and obedience to God’s commands and blessings.
God’s grace and faithfulness is confirmed in the birth of Cain.
Eve recognizes this and gives God credit. Remember that her original sin was wanting to be God’s equal. In this verse she now recognizes her need for and inferiority to God by acknowledging that only with God’s help was she able to give birth.
**What a humbling truth, that it is so often only after we sin and are shown forgiveness that we then find a renewal in our faith in God? How many times must God prove His faithfulness to us, before we will trust in and obey Him faithfully in return?
Notice that this is not the first time that Adam named Eve. (Gen. 2:23)
The Hebrew word for Eve’s name is, “Chavvah” {khav-vaw'}. It is defined as “life” or “living.” Scripture itself defines her name as meaning “mother of all the living.”
It is interesting to make a comparison of Adam’s name- which means “red earth” and is therefore associated with death- and Eve’s name – which means “mother of all living.”
Eve, until now, had simply been called “woman”. In Hebrew the word is, “'ishshah” {ish-shaw'} and means “woman, wife, or female.” Until now, her role had simply been that of wife. Now, Adam gave her a new name, “Eve”, which identified her as a mother. (Although the blessing to increase in number had been given in Gen 1:28, no child had yet been born.)
Adam’s choice of name clearly shows that he was paying attention to the serpent’s curse when God spoke of the woman’s seed crushing the head of the serpent. His naming of Eve also seems to indicate his repentant heart and renewed faith in God’s Word, both in the implied promise given within the context of the curse, and in the continuance of God’s original blessing given in Genesis 1: 28, “….Be fruitful and increase in number; ….” .
Verses 21 – 24 reveal God’s incredible mercy and grace. Despite their incredible sin, He is compassionate toward their shame and provides them with clothing. He is concerned for their souls and protects them from their own wickedness by placing a barrier between them and the tree of life.
These verses are also the first record of death in scripture. The animals whose skin was used must have been slain. So it is important to ask, “Why were these animals killed”? The answer: to cover the shame of Adam and Eve- to symbolicly cover their sin. Just as later jews would sacrifice a lamb at the altar, this was a symbolism of the ultimate sacrifice to come- Jesus Christ the Lamb of God sacrificed to cover our sin and shame. Also, it is important to notice, that in this original covering, Adam and Eve had no part in it. God provided the covering. They did not/could not cover themselves.
Chapter 4 verse 1:
Although the blessing/command to increase in number was given in Gen. 1:28, it is not until after the curse (in chapter 4 verse 1) that Adam lays with his wife. In fact, this is recorded as his second act after receiving his sentence. (His first being to rename Eve.) This would seem to be further proof of his repentant heart, for he is now acting in faith and obedience to God’s commands and blessings.
God’s grace and faithfulness is confirmed in the birth of Cain.
Eve recognizes this and gives God credit. Remember that her original sin was wanting to be God’s equal. In this verse she now recognizes her need for and inferiority to God by acknowledging that only with God’s help was she able to give birth.
**What a humbling truth, that it is so often only after we sin and are shown forgiveness that we then find a renewal in our faith in God? How many times must God prove His faithfulness to us, before we will trust in and obey Him faithfully in return?
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