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GENESIS 3:6: Was Adam Present When Eve Was Tempted by the Serpent?

The Challenge of Translation in Genesis 3:6


Genesis 3:6 in various translations presents a challenging text that appears to suggest Adam was with Eve during the entire temptation and dialogue with the serpent. Consider the following translations:


  • English Standard Version (ESV): "So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate."

  • Lexham English Bible (LEB): "When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was a delight to the eyes, and the tree was desirable to make one wise, then she took from its fruit and she ate. And she gave it also to her husband with her, and he ate."

  • American Standard Version (ASV): "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and she gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat."

  • New American Standard Bible (NASB): "When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate."


These translations suggest that Adam was standing right beside Eve as she conversed with the serpent and made the fateful decision to eat the forbidden fruit. If this were the case, it raises questions about Adam’s passivity during the conversation and why he did not intervene.



The Hebrew Construction and Sequence of Events


The Updated American Standard Version (UASV) translates Genesis 3:6 as follows:

"So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desirable to make one wise, and she took of its fruit and ate, then she also gave some to her husband when with her, and he ate."


This translation reflects a more precise understanding of the Hebrew text, particularly the imperfect waw consecutive construction. This grammatical form typically indicates a sequence of events rather than simultaneous actions, which is crucial for understanding the chronology of the events described in Genesis 3:6.


The phrase "then she also gave some to her husband when with her" suggests that Adam was not present during the initial deception and that Eve first ate the fruit and then later gave some to Adam when he was with her. This interpretation aligns with the idea that Adam was not directly involved in the conversation with the serpent but was brought into the situation afterward.



Adam’s Role in the Fall


The New Testament provides further insight into the events of Genesis 3. The apostle Paul, in 1 Timothy 2:14, states, "And Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor." This verse indicates that Eve was deceived by the serpent, whereas Adam’s sin was different in nature—he was not deceived but chose to eat the fruit knowingly.

This distinction supports the view that Adam was not present during the serpent's deception of Eve. If Adam had been standing beside Eve, fully aware of what was happening, it is difficult to reconcile his passivity with Paul’s statement that Adam was not deceived. Instead, it seems more likely that Eve, after being deceived and eating the fruit, later involved Adam, who then made a conscious decision to join her in disobedience.


Examining the UASV Footnote


The UASV provides a footnote that further clarifies this interpretation:


"The Hebrew verb translated 'gave' is in the imperfect waw consecutive; as a result, it points to a temporal or logical sequence (usually called an 'imperfect sequential'). Hence, a Bible translator or committee can translate the several occurrences of the waw, which tie together the chain of events in verse 6, with 'and' as well as other transitional words, such as 'subsequently,' 'then,' 'after that,' afterward,' and 'so.' One must ask themselves, would Adam have passively stood beside his wife Eve, listening to the conversation between her and the serpent, as Satan spewed forth lies and malicious talk through this serpent, especially when Paul tells us explicitly that the serpent did not deceive him? Supposedly, Adam just stood there and remained silent? Adam just chose not to interrupt the peddling of lies."


This footnote argues against the notion that Adam was passively present during the serpent’s conversation with Eve. It suggests that Adam joined Eve after she had already eaten the fruit, thereby making his decision to eat it a separate act of willful disobedience rather than an immediate response to the serpent’s deception.



Adam’s Presence: A Matter of Proximity and Timing


Even if we accept that Adam was "with" Eve when she gave him the fruit, this does not necessarily mean he was physically beside her during the entire encounter with the serpent. The Hebrew word translated as "with her" (אִתָּהּ, ittah) can indicate proximity but does not require immediate presence or involvement in the preceding actions.


For example, in modern scenarios, one might say, "I was with my wife at the store," even if they were in different sections of the store for much of the time. Similarly, Adam could have been "with" Eve in the sense that he was nearby or that he joined her after the temptation occurred.



Theological Implications


The interpretation that Adam was not present during the serpent’s temptation preserves the theological distinction between Eve’s deception and Adam’s willful disobedience. It also aligns with the broader biblical narrative that emphasizes the different roles and responsibilities of Adam and Eve in the Fall.


Adam’s sin was not a passive acceptance of the serpent’s lies but a deliberate choice to join Eve in her rebellion against God’s command. This understanding reinforces the seriousness of Adam’s transgression and the resulting consequences for all humanity.


The UASV translation and footnote provide a compelling case that Adam was not present during the serpent's conversation with Eve. This interpretation preserves the integrity of the biblical text and aligns with the theological distinctions made in the New Testament. By understanding the sequence of events in Genesis 3:6, we gain a clearer picture of the nature of the original sin and the distinct roles that Adam and Eve played in the Fall.


About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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1 Comment

edu D
edu D
Aug 24

Γεια σας, κάνετε λάθος, ο Αδάμ ήταν μαζί της, το εβραϊκό ρήμα βρίσκεται στο "Προτερατικό τέλειο απλό" = "ΕΔΩΣΕ", και δεν υπονοεί τίποτα περισσότερο από το "ΕΔΩΣΕ", ο Αδάμ ήταν μαζί της, ο Παύλος τονίζει αυτό το λάθος, επειδή " ΕΙΝΑΙ ΗΔΗ ΣΥΜΒΕΙ», ο Αδάμ δεν έκανε τίποτα για να το σταματήσει, αυτό λέει ο Παύλος, αυτό που λένε κάποιοι για το ρήμα στην «ατελής» του κατάσταση είναι λάθος, γιατί μόνο μεταφράζουν, αλλά δεν καταλαβαίνουν τις πρωταρχικές βάσεις της Βίβλου, και ούτε εσύ

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