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I see what you're referring to (Ezek 28:14) and that's a good point, and I'm going to add it. And I agree it's an error, but the error isn't mine, just by the way. I was in fact arguing against a theory that you also are rejecting. Very slightly rewritten: But Satan was a fallen angel, so how...

I'm not saying Adam is an "imbecile," nor did I say anything that in the slightest way implied that he was. His degree of intelligence is completely irrelevant one way or another, and has no bearing on the point under contention. Maybe you just haven't heard of this view and are having trouble...

There is no way to make the initial names for things particularly "appropriate" or not, as they are just names, unless the names are somehow both pithy and descriptive (in terms of the language that God gave Adam). But we are not told what names Adam gave to the animals, so we have no idea how...

I've already addressed these assertions. You have not added anything to what you said before, nor have you addressed any of my arguments. It's OK with me if we disagree. You seem to require me to agree with you, but I'm OK with you not agreeing with me.

I see no evidence to think either Adam or Eve were especially clever. All we know about Adam's intelligence is that he was made to talk, and given the ability and authority to name animals. Very well. Does that make him a genius? I should say not. I mean, maybe he was, but then again, maybe not...

I added a new Q&A: Does the use of the singular form of the Hebrew word for “seed” (Gen 3:15) indicate that only a single man is meant? Perhaps: “seed” is singular at Gen 3:15 (זַרְעָ֑הּ, zarah), and (for reasons given above) does refer to one particular man. But the grammatically singular...

I believe Gen 3:15 is the protevangelium, so "seed" does refer to one particular man. But the singular form of the word does not clinch it because there are other cases later on where it is used in prophecy in the singular and it definitely serves as a collective noun. So e.g. at Gen 12:7 we...

I'm sorry you seem to find the suggestion offensive, but this "shifting blame" theory is sometimes stated in commentaries by strong Bible believers. The claim here is not that Adam responded by saying "it's your fault God," or the rest of that. Obviously he didn't. Nor, in order to shift blame...

First, yes: I always take it as a hermeneutical principle to let scripture interpret scripture. If I say "if," it's in order to clarify what I am depending on! This doesn't follow. Forgive me if the following sounds pedantic, but I just want to do an end-run around a long debate (he said...

Well, if it's a euphemism, then the story is symbolic, and if you make that claim, then you should have an account of how the symbolism works and particularly what the symbolism stands for. Do you?

Any takers here? I thought some of the things above would be, you know, provocative...

Knowing the whole Bible well is essential for salvation, I think—not just the parts of the Bible that are specifically about salvation.

I’ve heard that said. I’m not sure what difference it makes, whether the seventh day has ended or whether it is continuing, or how people who say this argue for it. Well, I do know that those who argue for this say that the day-ending formula isn’t recited after the seventh day, which seems like...

Thanks, Ron, I appreciate it. My Gen 1 Q&A got plenty of feedback, but 2 & 3 are both uncommented so far.

Why are the cherubim placed “east” of the Garden in Gen. 3:24? If the cherubim are placed eastward, it would follow that they were blocking Adam’s way, meaning that he had been expelled in that direction. Throughout the Bible, the east, or things “eastward,” are often associated with corruption...

How is God’s sentence for breaking his law—death—fulfilled by Gen. 3:19 and 3:22-24? This is not quite as obvious as it might seem at first. After all, God did not simply destroy Adam on the spot, as he might have; he does say, “in the day that you eat from it you will surely die” (Gen. 2:17)...

Why is Gen. 3:15 called the protevangelium? It is thought to contain the first mention of the gospel, of the promise of the final victory of Jesus over sin and Satan. Assuming that “bruise thy head” and “bruise his heel” are not just talking about poor snake-human relations (contra Josephus)...

Why did they hide in Gen. 3:8? Surely they knew they could not hide from God. Perhaps they thought they could. Again, we have many indications that they had been quite childlike. “Knowledge of good and evil” did not mean they understood all, of course. Is this (Gen. 3:8) not the first of many...

Did Adam know, when he ate it at Gen. 3:6, that Eve had given him the forbidden fruit? There is nothing in the Gen. 3 text that settles the matter clearly. Adam is not mentioned in Gen. 3 until this verse. It is possible that he was listening in while the serpent spoke to Eve; but it seems to...

<< Back to Genesis 2 | On to Genesis 4 >> This is another installment in my Q&A Bible study, which ends up resembling a commentary. I don't pretend this to be a definitive commentary but instead non-authoritative study notes by a humble student of the Bible. Read more about what I am up to if...