Vagrant Writer

The creation story in the Book of Genesis can be a strange affair for those who aren’t devoted to Biblical reading. Because of this, many take the concepts found in the creation of man and abstract them. They turn them into metaphor, or add their own layer of philosophy external to the biblical text. This reliance on the Collective Christian Subconscious leads to hazy ideas of what actually happened during the creation and fall of man. Most specifically people bring their own ideas about the events of Adam and Eve’s expulsion from Paradise. Was there actually an Apple? Was Adam deceived? Did Satan seduce Eve? Was this Satan’s first sin? Did God intend for this to happen? Did God create sin and damn humanity on purpose?

There are several questions we could answer from that list. But, today I want to focus on whether or not Adam was deceived by Eve or Satan when he took the fateful bite that damned humanity and introduced sin into our hearts. As we explore this topic we might also answer several other questions along the way. Perhaps this study can remove just a small bit of the fog and haze that surrounds the creation story?

Genesis 3:6

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Genesis 3:6, King James Version

Genesis 3:6 is the actual verse when Eve gives Adam the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. There isn’t much specified here outside of Eve offered the fruit to Adam and he ate it. We don’t know much about this moment despite its incredible impact on our lives.

But, the bible has a few more words on Adam than we think. These passages can give much more context to the situation and show us that it wasn’t as cut and dry as we believe or were told.

Let’s start at the beginning.

The Name Adam

The Bible, particularly the “Old Testament,” is a book that is deeply connected to it’s Jewish origins. Throughout the book each word has insinuated meanings embedded in the original Hebrew language. On the surface these translated Hebrew words mean exactly what we know them to mean. But, for Hebrews these words may carry more meaning than we may glean if we aren’t familiar with the language.

The site “Hebrewversity” says it best:

The original Hebrew word for ‘man’ is ‘Adam’ {אדם} and the word for ‘ground’ is ‘Adamah’ {אדמה}, because ‘the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.’

In fact, in Hebrew (both Biblical and Modern) the term for ‘human beings’ is ‘Benei Adam’ {בני אדם} which literally means ‘the children of Adam’ – since the strong biblical foundation of the Hebrew culture sees all the people in the world as direct descendants of Adam. This concept goes hand in hand with the biblical principle that man was created in God’s image.

https://www.hebrewversity.com/hebrew-origins-adams-name-connection-ground/

Note: That 'Benei Adam' is important for other studies in the future.

Adam’s Creation

After God created all we see today, he made a Garden to the East of Eden. Adam was put within the garden to occupy and care for it. In Antiquities of the Jews by Flavius Josephus he implies that the name Adam has a “Red” connotation to it. This may imply Adam had a reddish hue to his skin.

This man was called Adam, which in the Hebrew tongue signifies one that is red, because he was formed out of red earth, compounded together; for of that kind is virgin and true earth.

Book 1, Chapter 1, Antiquities of the Jews, Flavius Josephus

Here is another article about the possible genetic heritage of this thought: https://www.genesisandgenetics.org/2017/07/13/651/

God breathed his very own breath into Adam’s lungs to fill him with life.

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Genesis 2:7, King James Version

Adam Needs a Companion

God gave Adam everything in the garden, including responsibility for its care. Throughout this process, God sees and acknowledges Adams “aloneness.” God knew Adam needed someone he could connect with and share in his struggles.

But, contrary to your assumption, this wasn’t Eve quite yet.

And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.

And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.

Genesis 2:18-20, King James Version

As an additional duty Adam was tasked with naming all the animals God had created for him in the garden. Remember, animals were fundamentally different before the flood, massive, prehistoric things. The creatures we know today are mere shadows of their true selves. The same can be said about you and I. These massive creatures were much more friendly and interactive with humans than they are now. After the flood, God created a fear of men within each of the animals. This change shifted the dynamic between them and us.

During the creation period God aimed for some of these animals to support to Adam and assist him in his duties as caretaker. Oxen plowed the fields. Horses and Donkey’s carried things. Cows and goats provided sustenance. Maybe Dogs are such perfect friends to humans because work, protection, and companionship was there intention. Perhaps Adam needed time to grow into his understanding of the role he needed to play before God introduced another human into the mix? We don’t know. We also don’t know how long Adam was alone.

True Love

And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

Genesis 2:21-22, King James Version

Eve was something fundamentally different. Adam was overwhelmed by her. He knew that she understood him, because she was made FROM him, not just FOR him. This was someone he could truly bond with and share in his uniquely human experiences with. Because of that unique bond, the next verse lays out the essential tenant of marriage as we know it today. That’s how important Eve was to Adam. He was in love and God had provided her for him.

And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Genesis 2:23-24, King James Version

God’s Instruction

In the course of Adam’s care for the garden, God would spend time with Adam and later, Eve. He dwelt with them (this is important to understanding our relationship with God in later studies too, so bear it in mind – always), and taught them. One of these lessons is God’s instruction on the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. This is God’s first lesson to Adam in the Bible after creating him.

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Genesis 2:16-17, King James Version

Remember the language God uses here, that’s important.

As manager and caretaker of the Garden God created, Adam would have explained these rules to Eve, as she was his wife, his responsibility. This transpires at an unknown point between chapters 2 and 3. Eve later recalls what she remembers of her lesson when dealing with the “serpent.”

And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

Genesis 2-3, King James Version

Remember I told you to remember God’s language about the tree? Eve inaccurately quotes God’s instructions to the serpent. Eve tells the serpent if you touch the fruit, you’ll die. Which God never mentioned in his instructions to Adam. The serpent, now knowing that Eve isn’t confident in her words from God, now has his gateway for manipulation.

Invitation to Deception

Adam and Eve dwelt with God. They saw and spoke with him directly on a regular basis. If we were put face to face with the devil today, what chance would we have in that situation? Would we know how to counter Satan’s words?

This is a reason why you need to read the Bible. The word is the sword element in the armor of God for a reason. If you don’t know the word you can’t parry and retaliate against your opponents attacks. When Satan tempts Christ in Matthew chapter four, Satan uses scripture out of context. But, Jesus rebukes and corrects with scripture. We might call Satan someone who has one verse theology. He hopes you don’t understand the entire word of God so that he might twist and contort any verse to his own goals.

We see this regularly in those who preach a prosperity gospel. We also see it in those who are opposed to the church.

For this reason, it is imperative that you read the bible to understand the truth of God’s word. The enemy, human or otherwise, WILL use it against you. They will use it to justify anything and they will exploit your ignorance. Whether it be justification for medical procedures, exploitation of criminal acts, political overreach, wacky globe spanning agenda, what have you. You need to know the entire bible. Old and new testament. The bible will be weaponized more than ever in the last days.

Doctrine of Devils

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

Genesis 3:4-5, King James Version

The verse above is critical for identifying and understanding when someone is trying to manipulate you with evil. Any time any one tells you, whether it be religion or cult, that you will be as a god, become a god, etc. this is the doctrine of the devil. “Do as thou wilt,” “You only live once,” “Living your best life,” are the common phrases said today. These phrases appeal to your basic instincts and right into the heart of how sin operates. Scrutinize anything that makes an appeal to your vanity and pride. These are likely being used a tools for evil.

The mentality being forced upon us puts you, yourself, as the ultimate authority and arbiter on what is and is not truth and what is and is not right or wrong instead of God. Jesus Christ should be the authority and arbiter of your life.

Remember when Peter is walking on water and he falls in the moment he takes his eyes off Jesus? Do you understand this lesson?

Without an outside judge of what is and is not “Holy” can we ever be righteous? We will always give in to what we want. We are fooled by what our heart’s sinful desires are. Because we can’t live up to the standard of God’s holiness we miss the mark. This is the very definition of sin, and that’s why we need Jesus Christ. His death takes our place of punishment for missing the mark. He died in our place so that we might be with the father, our God.

Adam Eats

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Genesis, 3:6, King James Version

Eve used her eyes to discern what was good for her instead of the listening to the words of God. She “saw the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes.” Through the eyes all manner of evil things can enter into your heart. Don’t always rely on them as the ultimate test of what is genuine and what is not. All the technology we have today serves those that would deceive us. Jesus Christ warned about deception in the last days as well. Do you know the word well enough to recognize this deception?

In this verse above, Adam simply takes the fruit and eats it with no argument.

Why?

Adam received his instructions from God directly. He taught Eve the lessons she needed to learn about the Tree in the midst of the garden. Why would he knowingly violate God’s rules? Did Adam not remember what God had told him? Did Adam not rely the information to Eve correctly? Does the blame for our fate as sinners rest with Adam and not Eve as we were taught?

In the next article, we’ll explore the consequences of these actions and discover whether or not Adam was deceived.

[to be continued in Part 2… ]

Image: The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise, 1791 - Benjamin West