Why did Adam and Eve Fall?
This article will examine why Adam and Eve fell from their original innocence by disobeying God’s one commandment. God told Adam not to eat fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17). They lived in the Garden of Eden paradise and had the fruit of all the other trees to eat, so why did Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit? Why did they sin and fall?
Table of contents
Have you ever wondered why Adam sinned?
Why did Adam fall? He was created good, had perfect health, lived in a perfect environment, and had direct personal fellowship with God. God had given him a perfect wife to share his life and the authority to rule over nature. He had everything he could possibly want or need, so why did Adam sin? Why did Adam disobey God by eating the forbidden fruit?
This section will briefly describe Eve’s fall because Adam’s fall began with the deception of Eve by the Serpent. Eve’s story will be described in more detail in another article. The primary focus of this post will be on why Adam fell.
Eve’s Fall
We know why Eve sinned. Eve ate the forbidden fruit because she was deceived by Satan (1 Timothy 2:14). Genesis 3:1-6 records her conversation with a talking snake that questioned God’s Word, God’s goodness, and the truth of God’s judgment. The serpent appealed to her pride as he tempted her with knowledge, saying she would become like God.
Many sermons have been preached, lessons taught, and articles written on how Satan temped Eve in the garden. Comparisons are often made to 1 John 2:15-17. We are not to love the world nor the things in it, because “all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
Satan tricked the first woman into eating the forbidden fruit by appealing to “the lust of the flesh,” “the lust of the eyes,” and “the pride of life.” Genesis 3:6 says, “when the woman saw that the tree was good for food (the lust of the flesh), and that it was pleasant to the eyes (the lust of the eyes), and a tree to be desired to make one wise (the pride of life), she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat.”
Adam’s Fall
But Adam had not been deceived by Satan (1 Timothy 2:14) nor beguiled by the snake. So, why did Adam eat the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?
Why did Adam sin against God by eating the forbidden fruit?
Many commentators malign Adam, accusing him of standing idly by, witnessing the deception of his wife without intervening as the serpent deceived her. They allege that he then defiantly joined her in eating the forbidden fruit even though he was not deceived.
This accusation is inconceivable to me because Adam loved his wife and knew the truth. He had not yet sinned, so he was still holy. What possible motive would Adam have had to defy his creator and allow a snake to lead his innocent wife astray by lying to her?
Adam was NOT with Eve when the Serpent Tempted Her
The Hebrew Scriptures
First, this erroneous interpretation is not supported by the words of the Hebrew Scripture
Many modern translations promote the erroneous interpretation of Adam being present during the Serpent’s temptation of Eve by supplying two English words that are not included in the Hebrew narrative: “who was.” The Hebrew merely says she “also gave unto her husband with her.” The errant translations say Eve gave to “her husband who was with her.” Rather than providing an accurate translation, the addition of these words is interpretive in nature. This false translation leads readers to an inaccurate understanding of what happened.
While this is not an exhaustive list, the ESV, HCSB, ISV, NET, NIV and NRSV are among the English translations that inappropriately add the words, “who was”. The KJV, NASB and NKJV accurately translate the passage without them.
While it was important to point out this translation error for the benefit of those who use the these translations, there are many other reasons for believing that Adam was not present during Eve’s temptation beyond the question of these two words.
The Natural Reading
Second, a plain reading of the narrative indicates that Eve was alone with the snake
As you read Genesis 3:1-6a there is no indication that the man is present. If the man and woman were together, then you would expect the serpent to talk to them, the man and woman. But that is not what the passage says. Genesis 3:1 says that the serpent “said unto the woman . . . .”
Then in verse 2, we are told that “the woman said unto the serpent . . . .” In verse 4, “the serpent said unto the woman . . . .” And in verse 6 we are only told of Eve’s reasoning, “when the woman saw . . . .”
The most natural way to read this narrative is as a private conversation between the woman and the snake. There is no reason to believe that Adam was present.
The Grammar
Third, the Grammar Indicates Consecutive Action
Hebrew has a versatile particle, “waw,” that can be used in many ways based on grammar and context. “Waw” is often used as a simple conjunction, meaning “and.” “Waw” can also mean: even, also, but, or, now, that, so that, when, while, for, and more. The meaning of “waw” must be determined by the context in which it is used. One of the ways “waw” is often used is as a “waw consecutive” indicating sequential action. In these cases, the best translation is “then.”
The end of Genesis 3:6 contains four “waw consecutives,” indicating sequential action. To aid you in understanding the sequential action indicated by the Hebrew, I have inserted the word “then” in the following English translation in the place of these four “waw consecutives.”
“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, then she took of the fruit thereof, then did eat, then gave also unto her husband with her; then he did eat.”
It should be noted that this passage shows the sequence of action, but provides no indication of the time between each action. After being deceived by her conversation with the serpent, Eve took some of the forbidden fruit and then she ate it.
Next in the sequence, Eve gave some fruit to her husband Adam. We are not told how much time had elapsed between these actions. It could have been seconds, minutes, hours or days.
If one assumes that Adam was with her, then possibly only seconds passed by between these events. However, if Adam was not there, which is the more natural understanding of this passage, then Eve would have had to take the fruit to him. In this case, many minutes or possibly hours would have elapsed before she gave the fruit to her husband to eat with her.
Then Adam ate the fruit. But why did he do it? Why did Adam disobey God?
The Devil’s Devices
We have examined the evidence of the language used in the story of the fall. Next we will examine the tactics of our adversary, the devil, who “as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
Disguise
We all know that snakes cannot talk. God never tempts anyone to sin (James 1:13), and a holy angel could not lie and remain holy. So some supernatural evil power must have given the serpent the ability to speak.
The serpent is not actually identified as Satan in the book of Genesis. However, there is enough information elsewhere in the Bible to establish the power behind the snake’s words. Jesus declared that the devil “was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, . . . he is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44).
In his first epistle, the apostle John informs us “the devil sinneth from the beginning” (1 John 3:8). In describing Satan, Ezekiel said, “Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God” (Ezekiel 28:13). And in the book of Revelation, the angels identify the dragon as being “that old serpent, which is called the devil and Satan” (Revelation 12:9; 20:2).
The Bible warns us to be vigilant and put on the whole armor of God that we may be able to stand against the wiles, snares, and devices of the devil (1 Peter 5:8; 2 Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:26). Paul also warns us of “false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14).
Deceit
The devil uses disguise, delusion and deceit to capture and destroy his prey. Eve, our first mother, was Satan’s first target. However he did not transform himself into an angel of light. Instead he took on the form of a serpent. So, Eve innocently thought the snake was just an animal.
Division
One of the most basic tactics in warfare is to divide and concur. Why take on the full strength of the opposition instead of only a part? Lone predators do not try to kill multiple animals in one attack; they pounce on a single prey.
Solomon said, “Two are better than one . . . though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him . . .” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 / ESV). And most people would admit that they are more tempted to sin when they are alone than when they are with a group of other Christians. So why would Satan risk trying to tempt Adam and Eve together rather than attacking them one at a time?
Satan is shrewd, not stupid. This was his first attack on humanity. He would have wanted to maximize his chances for success. It would only make sense for him to strike at one alone.
It should also be noted that this tactic would not have worked on the man. Adam had named all of the animals, so he would have known that serpents cannot speak. But that was before Eve was created. The woman was not there during the naming of the animals, so she would have been more susceptible to Satan’s sinister stratagem.
Their Interrogation by God
Next we will examine God’s questioning of Adam and Eve following their sin (Genesis 3:8-13). In their answers, neither Adam nor Eve said anything that would indicate that Adam had been present while Eve was tempted by the serpent.
When God asked the man whether he had eaten from the forbidden tree, his response was, “The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat” (Genesis 3:12). By this answer, Adam blamed the woman for giving him the fruit and God for giving him the woman. He said nothing about the serpent.
Eve on the other hand blamed the serpent. When God asked the woman what she had done, her defense was “The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat” (Genesis 3:13). She did not say ‘The serpent beguiled us, and we ate.” Eve blamed the snake, but she did not blame or include Adam in any way.
Their Judgment by God
The Serpent’s Judgment
Finally we will examine God’s judgment of the three sinners in Genesis 3: 14-19. In verse 14, God cursed all of the snake-kind because of the serpent’s involvement. We do not know what kind of locomotion they would have had before this curse (perhaps they had legs like a lizard). But now they would have to slither upon their bellies.
Verse 15 is addressed more to the evil spirit of Satan who had indwelled the snake. “I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; He shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel.”
Notice first that the enmity is between the serpent and the woman (and her seed). The man is not included, which seems to indicate that Adam was not there during the deception of Eve. If the man had been present during the Eve’s temptation, why was he not mentioned in this judgment?
This verse also includes the first prophecy that the seed of the woman (Jesus) would defeat Satan after being wounded by him. But that is another message.
Eve’s Judgment
God pronounced Eve’s judgment in Genesis 3:16. Because she had been deceived and had tempted her husband Adam, men would be the head of the family. Husbands would have authority over their wives. And women would now have great pain and sorrow in child bearing.
Adam’s Judgment
Then God judged the man. For the purpose of this study, the reason given for his judgment is actually more important than the curse that was pronounced. Genesis 3:17 begins with the reason for the curse. “Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it.”
The reason for Adam’s judgment says nothing about listening to the serpent or allowing his wife to be deceived by the serpent. This is another strong indication that Adam was not there during the serpent’s temptation of Eve.
Now that we have established that Adam was not present when Eve was tempted and ate the forbidden fruit, we can evaluate his motive for disobeying God. By identifying the real reason for the man’s sin, we will also show the sly stealth of Satan’s sabotage.
Satan’s Snare – Why Adam Sinned
The man was not tricked or deceived like the woman (1 Timothy 2:14), so why did Adam sin by eating the forbidden fruit? The answer is given in the reason God gave for the man’s judgment, because he listened to the voice of his wife. The man was not deceived by Satan. Adam was beguiled by Eve.
God had given mankind dominion over the earth and every living thing on it (Genesis 1:28). Satan wanted that power and authority for himself. He could not take it from them. But if they sinned, then they would forfeit God’s blessing.
As the first human created, Adam was the key. Having been made from the man, the woman was expendable. Another woman could be made; Eve could be replaced. In addition, God commanded Adam not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil before Eve was created (Genesis 2:17).
Adam had spent more time with his Creator than Eve. The woman probably heard God’s command about the tree indirectly through Adam, but the man had received it directly from God. Adam had also named the animals, so he was familiar with them all.
For all these reasons, Eve was the easier prey for the devil’s deadly deception. Another strategy would be needed for the man, something less direct. The man had a different weakness the devil could exploit.
Adam was not deceived by Satan. He was beguiled by Eve.
Deceit is not the only weapon in Satan’s arsenal. He uses pride, greed, and lust as well. Fallen souls become unwitting foot soldiers in Satan’s army. Once he corrupted the woman, the devil could use her to get the man.
Once the woman ate the forbidden fruit, she was no longer innocent. Eve got what she wanted. She had already known good before. Eve now knew evil because she had become evil. She died spiritually. Her innocence was replaced with a sinful heart.
Sin loves company. Eve did not want to remain alone in her sin. Her first evil act was to go talk Adam into joining her.
Imagine Adam’s shock when the sweet woman he loved came to him bearing forbidden fruit as a gift. Imagine his dread as she related what the talking snake had said, told him that she had eaten the fruit, and pointed out that she was not dead. Imagine his horror when she gave him the forbidden fruit and asked him to eat it “with her.”
A wave of confused emotion must have washed over Adam as his wife’s words hit him:
- How could she believe her Creator was withholding something good from her?
- Serpents can’t speak, so who or what spoke with her?
- Why didn’t she talk with him before eating the fruit?
- Why would she want to know evil?
- How could she do this to him?
- Why was this happening?
- What should he do?
Maybe Adam could sense a change in his wife as she asked him to join her in disobeying God. Perhaps he resisted, saying that just because she ate it didn’t mean he had to. Eve might have cried and questioned his love for her. We don’t know.
We don’t know exactly why Adam sinned; we only know that he fell. The Bible does not tell us what Eve said to convince Adam to eat the deadly fruit. All we know is that the man hearkened to the voice of his wife. He did what she said.
Eve gave Adam the forbidden fruit and he ate it. Then God condemned Adam for listening to his wife and obeying her voice rather than keeping His command.
So why did he do it? Why did Adam sin against God by eating the forbidden fruit? Why did Adam fall?
God condemned Adam for listening to his wife and obeying her voice rather than keeping His command.
Ultimately, Adam’s action demonstrates that he loved the woman more than he loved God. Adam loved the gift more than the gift Giver. He loved a creature more than his Creator (Romans 1:25). Eve had become the man’s idol. She had become more important to Adam than the God who made them. Adam fell because he chose to please his wife rather than God.
Satan used the woman to get the man. Adam was tempted and led astray by the woman he loved.
Eve was the first woman to corrupt a man. She would not be the last.
Beware!
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