Genesis 3:8 - God Arraigns Adam and Eve
Then the man and his wife heard the voice of the LORD God
This phrase indicates the personal relationship between God and humanity. The "voice of the LORD God" suggests a direct communication, emphasizing God's desire for fellowship with Adam and Eve. This moment occurs after the fall, highlighting the shift from innocence to awareness of sin. The term "LORD God" combines the covenant name Yahweh with Elohim, underscoring both His personal and sovereign nature.
walking in the garden in the breeze of the day
The imagery of God "walking" suggests His immanence and accessibility. The "breeze of the day" likely refers to the cool part of the day, possibly late afternoon or early evening, a time when people would typically rest and reflect. This setting contrasts with the tension of the narrative, as it was a time meant for communion, now marred by sin.
and they hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God
Adam and Eve's attempt to hide signifies the immediate impact of sin, which is separation from God. This act of hiding reflects guilt and shame, emotions that were absent before the fall. Theologically, it illustrates the human tendency to flee from God when confronted with sin, a theme echoed throughout Scripture, such as in Jonah's flight from God's command.
among the trees of the garden
The garden, initially a place of life and abundance, becomes a place of concealment and fear. The trees, once symbols of provision and beauty, are now used as a means to hide from God. This setting foreshadows the need for redemption and restoration, themes that are fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus Christ, who restores the broken relationship between God and humanity.
Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD God
The Creator, who is depicted as walking in the garden, indicating a personal and relational aspect of God.
2. The Man (Adam)
The first human created by God, who is now hiding due to his disobedience.
3. The Woman (Eve)
The first woman, who, alongside Adam, is hiding from God after eating the forbidden fruit.
4. The Garden of Eden
The perfect dwelling place created by God for Adam and Eve, symbolizing peace and communion with God.
5. The Breeze of the Day
This phrase suggests a specific time when God would commune with Adam and Eve, indicating a routine fellowship.
Teaching Points
The Nature of Sin
Sin leads to separation from God and a desire to hide from His presence. Recognize the impact of sin on our relationship with God.
God's Pursuit
Despite their disobedience, God seeks out Adam and Eve, demonstrating His desire for reconciliation. Reflect on God's relentless pursuit of a relationship with us.
The Importance of Obedience
Disobedience disrupts the harmony of our relationship with God. Strive for obedience to maintain fellowship with Him.
The Reality of God's Presence
We cannot hide from God; He is omnipresent. Live with the awareness of God's constant presence in our lives.
Restoration through Christ
The broken fellowship in Eden is restored through Jesus Christ. Embrace the reconciliation offered through Him.
(8) And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden.--The matter-of-fact school of commentators understand by this that there was a thunderstorm, and the guilty pair hearing for the first time the uproar of nature, hid themselves in terror, and interpreted the mighty peals as meaning their condemnation. Really it is in admirable keeping with the whole narrative; and Jehovah appears here as the owner of the Paradise, and as taking in it His daily exercise; for the verb is in the reflexive conjugation, and means "walking for pleasure." The time is "the cool (literally, the wind) of the day," the hour in a hot climate when the evening breeze sets in, and men, rising from their noontide slumber, go forth for labour or recreation. In this description the primary lesson is that hitherto man had lived in close communication with God. His intellect was undeveloped; his mental powers still slumbered; but nevertheless there was a deep spiritual sympathy between him and his Maker. It is the nobler side of Adam's relationship to God before the fall.
Hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God.--This does not imply a visible appearance, for the whole narrative is anthropomorphic. The Fathers, however, saw in these descriptions the proof of a previous incarnation of the Divine Son (see Note on Genesis 12:7). Next, we find in their conduct an attempt to escape from the further result of sin. The first result was shame, from which man endeavoured to free himself by covering his person; the second was fear, and this man would cure by departing still farther from God. But the voice of Jehovah reaches him, and with rebuke and punishment gives also healing and hope.
Verse 8. - And they heard the voice of the Lord God. Either
(1) the noise of his footsteps (cf. Leviticus 26:33; Numbers 16:34; 2 Samuel 5:24; Knobel, Delitzsch, Keil, Kalisch, Macdonald); or
(2) the thunder that accompanied his approach (cf. Exodus 9:23; Job 37:4, 5; Psalm 29:3, 9; Murphy, Bush); or
(3) the sound of his voice (Calvin, Lange, Wordsworth); or . . . Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Then the man
הָֽאָדָ֜ם (hā·’ā·ḏām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being
and his wife
וְאִשְׁתּ֗וֹ (wə·’iš·tōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female
heard
וַֽיִּשְׁמְע֞וּ (way·yiš·mə·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently
the voice
ק֨וֹל (qō·wl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound
of the LORD
יְהוָ֧ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel
God
אֱלֹהִ֛ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative
walking
מִתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ (miṯ·hal·lêḵ)
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk
in the garden
בַּגָּ֖ן (bag·gān)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 1588: An enclosure, garden
in the breeze
לְר֣וּחַ (lə·rū·aḥ)
Preposition-l | Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit
of the day,
הַיּ֑וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day
and they hid themselves
וַיִּתְחַבֵּ֨א (way·yiṯ·ḥab·bê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2244: To withdraw, hide
from the presence
מִפְּנֵי֙ (mip·pə·nê)
Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face
of the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel
God
אֱלֹהִ֔ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative
among
בְּת֖וֹךְ (bə·ṯō·wḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre
the trees
עֵ֥ץ (‘êṣ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood
of the garden.
הַגָּֽן׃ (hag·gān)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 1588: An enclosure, garden
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Genesis 3:8 Catholic BibleOT Law: Genesis 3:8 They heard the voice of Yahweh God (Gen. Ge Gn)