Genesis 3:17 — English ERV 2006 - Only For Website
Then the Lord God said to the man, "I commanded you not to eat from that tree. But you listened to your wife and ate from it. So I will curse the ground because of you. You will have to work hard all your life for the food the ground produces.
What Does This Mean?
In Genesis 3:17, God is speaking to Adam, telling him that because he listened to his wife and ate from the forbidden tree, the ground will be cursed, and Adam will have to work hard to grow food for the rest of his life.
Explained for Children
Imagine if you had a special garden where you could grow anything you wanted, but you weren't allowed to eat one particular fruit. If you broke that rule, suddenly growing food would become really hard and you'd have to work very hard every day to get your meals. That's what happened to Adam when he disobeyed God.
Historical Background
This verse is part of the book of Genesis, traditionally believed to have been written by Moses around 1446-1406 BCE. The audience was likely the Israelites, and it was written to provide a foundational narrative of human disobedience and its consequences.
Living It Out Today
In modern times, this can be seen as a reminder that our choices have consequences. For example, if someone chooses to ignore their doctor's advice and continues unhealthy habits, they might face health issues later in life.
Topics
sinconsequencesobedienceworkrelationship with Goddisobedience