Exile 

Genesis 3:20-24: The Hope of Redemption

Introduction

Genesis 3:20-24 marks the conclusion of the Fall narrative, detailing significant developments in the story of Adam and Eve. This passage reveals crucial themes of identity, provision, and the human condition post-Fall. Here we explore Genesis 3:20-24 through a lens that has been greatly informed by an in-depth study of the early parts of Genesis with Dr John Andrews, former principal of Mattersey that began in the summer of 2022 and my own studies informed by the work of Michael S. Heiser and Dwight Pryor, both scholars of blessed memory. This study is an attempt to offer an integrated linguistic, historical, and theological perspective giving a nuanced understanding of these foundational biblical truths.

Genesis 3:20-24 (Names of God version):

“Adam named his wife Eve [Life] because she became the mother of every living person. YHWH Elohim made clothes from animal skins for the man and his wife and dressed them. Then YHWH Elohim said, ‘The man has become like one of us, since he knows good and evil. He must not reach out and take the fruit from the tree of life and eat. Then he would live forever.’ So YHWH Elohim sent the man out of the Garden of Eden to farm the ground from which the man had been formed. After he sent the man out, Elohim placed keruvim and a flaming sword that turned in all directions east of the Garden of Eden. He placed them there to guard the way to the tree of life.”

1.    Naming of Eve: Identity and Hope (Verse 20)

The Significance of Naming
In ancient Near Eastern culture, naming was a significant act, often conveying identity, destiny, and purpose. In Genesis 3:20, Adam names his wife Eve (Chavah), which means ‘life’ or ‘living’. This act occurs after the Fall and the introduction of death, indicating a complex interplay of faith and hope.

Eve: The Mother of All Living
Adam’s declaration that Eve is “the mother of all living” carries profound theological and symbolic weight. The name itself reflects the continuity of life and YHWH’s ongoing purpose for humanity, despite the Fall. This naming can be seen as an act of faith, acknowledging that life will continue and that God’s promises endure even in the face of sin and death.

This naming can be seen as an act of faith, acknowledging that life will continue and that God’s promises endure.

Linguistic Insights
Hebrew wordplay and etymology is of great importance in understanding biblical texts. The name Chavah (חַוָּה) is related to the Hebrew word for life, chay (חַי). This linguistic connection underscores the irony and hope embedded in the narrative: through Eve, life will continue despite the curse of death introduced by sin.

2.    Divine Provision: Garments of Skin (Verse 21)

The Act of Clothing
Verse 21 states, “And YHWH God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.” This act of providing garments of skin is rich with theological significance. This is the first instance of death in the biblical narrative, as animals had to be killed to provide these skins. This introduces the concept of substitutionary sacrifice, which becomes a central theme in the biblical story of redemption. In Hebrew, the word for atonement, kaphar (כָּפַר), means to cover. YHWH’s provision of covering garments for Adam and Eve symbolises His mercy and foreshadows the ultimate covering of sin through the sacrificial system and, ultimately, through Jesus Christ. This provides a dramatic contrast with Adam and Eve's initial attempt to cover themselves, with fig leaves (Gen 3:7) being completely inadequate. It is YHWH’s provision of garments of skin that not only offers physical covering but also represents a deeper spiritual covering.  This is a compelling illustration of how trying to address the consequences of sin will always be insufficient without divine intervention.

Trying to address the consequences of sin will always be insufficient without divine intervention.

3.    Divine Declaration: Knowledge and Immortality (Verse 22)

“Like One of Us”
In verse 22, God states, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil.”  This is one of the clearest depictions of YHWH’s interaction with a heavenly host. The phrase “like one of us” suggests a plurality within the Godhead, which is normally interpreted as the Trinity, or the divine council, in Christian theology.

Knowledge of Good and Evil
The knowledge of good and evil represents a significant shift in the human condition. This demonstrates that knowledge is not merely intellectual but experiential and moral. It involves the capacity to discern and make moral choices, which now places humanity in a position of both greater responsibility and vulnerability.

Exclusion from the Tree of Life
The concern that humanity might “reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever” reflects a tension inherent between judgement and grace. The idea of eternal life in a fallen state is by its nature a curse, rather than a blessing. The exclusion from the tree of life is thus an act of divine mercy, preventing humanity from being eternally trapped in a condition of sin and separation from God.

4.    Expulsion from Eden: Consequences and Hope

The Guarding of the Tree of Life
The subsequent verses (Gen 3:23-24) describe the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Eden and the guarding of the tree of life by cherubim and a flaming sword. Cherubim are invariably depicted as guardians of sacred spaces in the ancient Near Eastern context, thereby emphasising the holiness and inaccessibility of the tree of life post-Fall.

5.    Theological Reflections

The expulsion from Eden is not merely punitive but also redemptive. It sets the stage for the unfolding story of salvation history, where YHWH’s plan for redemption and restoration through covenant and ultimately through Jesus Christ becomes central. The narrative of exile and return becomes a recurring motif in the biblical story.

6.    Practical Applications

Identity and Hope
Adam's naming of Eve as the mother of all living teaches us about the importance of identity and hope in God's promises. Even in the midst of judgement, there is a forward-looking hope rooted in God’s faithfulness. Believers are encouraged to find their identity and hope in God's promises, regardless of present circumstances.

Divine Provision and Atonement
The provision of garments of skin reminds us of the necessity of divine intervention for true covering and atonement. Human efforts are insufficient to deal with the consequences of sin. This points us to the ultimate provision of atonement through Jesus Christ, whose sacrifice covers and redeems us.

Knowledge and Responsibility
The knowledge of good and evil carries significant responsibility. Believers are called to discernment and moral integrity, recognising that their choices have profound implications. This knowledge also calls us to depend upon God's wisdom and guidance.

Believers are called to discernment and moral integrity, recognising that their choices have profound implications. 

Mercy in Judgment
YHWH’s exclusion of humanity from the tree of life reflects His mercy even in judgement. Understanding this helps us to trust in His overarching plan for redemption and to view His judgments as ultimately rooted in His love and desire for our restoration.

Conclusion

Genesis 3:20-22 offers profound insights into the aftermath of the Fall, emphasising themes of identity, divine provision, knowledge, and mercy. By examining the text through the lenses of linguistic analysis, ancient Near Eastern context, and theological reflection, we gain a deeper understanding of its significance and see how these ancient verses continue to speak to contemporary believers, offering lessons on identity, atonement, responsibility, and divine mercy.