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Genesis 3:12

KJV

And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

Read it in context God Arraigns Adam and Eve
Start reading at Genesis 3:8 (Genesis 3:8 to Genesis 3:13). An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.

The opening establishes God as Creator, describes human rebellion and its consequences, and traces the nations before narrowing the account to Abram's family.

  1. 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
  2. 3:9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
  3. 3:10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
  4. 3:11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
  5. 3:12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
  6. 3:13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

Who

What

When

Where

How

Cited: Genesis 3:8, Genesis 3:13, Matthew 1:1, Galatians 3:16

Who wrote it, and how we know

Moses (traditional) From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author. Elsewhere Scripture attributes the Law to Moses, and Jesus calls it the book of Moses. Exodus 17:14Joshua 8:31Mark 12:26John 5:46
Early traditionJewish tradition (Talmud, Baba Bathra 14b) and the early church assign the first five books to Moses.
What is debatedSome scholars propose several later sources behind the Pentateuch. A few notes appear to be written after Moses, such as the list of kings in Genesis 36:31.

Related passages

Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).

Macro-Structure

See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.

Macro-Structure of Genesis

Genesis introduces creation, the nations, and the ancestral family of Israel. It does not name a recipient or give a composition date. Read the promises to named people in their narrated settings before applying them to later readers.

Genesis 1:1 Genesis 12:1 Genesis 50:24

Creation and the nations
Genesis 1:1–11:26 You are here · 3:12

FocusBeginnings, rebellion, and judgment

Connection to the wholeThe opening establishes God as Creator, describes human rebellion and its consequences, and traces the nations before narrowing the account to Abram's family.
interpretation
Abraham and the promise
Genesis 11:27–25:18

FocusCalling, covenant, and descendants

Connection to the wholeThe narrative concentrates on God's promises to Abraham, the birth of Isaac, and the continuation of the family through whom the earlier promise is carried forward.
interpretation
Isaac, Jacob, and Esau
Genesis 25:19–36:43

FocusThe promise through a divided family

Connection to the wholeFamily rivalry, journeys, marriages, and reconciliation develop the promised line while also recording the related family of Esau.
interpretation
Joseph and the descent into Egypt
Genesis 37:1–50:26

FocusPreservation through suffering

Connection to the wholeJoseph's experiences lead to the preservation of Jacob's family in Egypt. The book closes with confidence about a future return, preparing the setting of Exodus.
interpretation

Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.

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