Interpretation of Genesis
Andrew Javorka
Intro to Biblical Studies
Paper 2
The interpretation of the story of Adam and Eve from Genesis is quite widely accepted to its readers today. It begins with God creating land, water, and then man (Adam). God then created the garden in Eden filled with “every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the tree of life, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:9). God warned Adam saying that he could eat from every tree except the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Later, he created animals and a partner for Adam (Eve). Eve was eventually tricked into eating from the forbidden tree by the serpent. She gave a piece of the fruit to Adam and he ate as well. For doing so, God was extremely angry and punished the two severely. The common interpretation is that Eve was tricked into eating the apple from the forbidden tree, and then tempted Adam into eating it as well. Higgins argues that the Genesis story has been interpreted incorrectly in regards to pinning Eve as a temptress to Adam. This being true, our modern society gender issues could potentially be much different. Higgins points out that Genesis 3:6 states that Eve “gave some to her husband, and he ate,” later interpreted and believed that Eve was tempted by the serpent and then she tempted Adam to eat as well. If Eve simply gave the fruit to Adam and he ate it, instead of tempting him, readers’ views would be much different on both Adam and Eve. Eve is now believed to be a temptress, and looked and talked about as being evil because of her “persuasive” act. Much of the Old Testament and scriptures stereotype many women who follow as evil simply because of the first women (Eve) was “evil.” This is an unfortunate result of the pervasive interpretation of Genesis, which views her as a temptress (Higgins, 641). When God punished Adam and Eve, he began by punishing Eve. God told her that he would increase childbirth pain and she would desire her
Intro to Biblical Studies
Paper 2
The interpretation of the story of Adam and Eve from Genesis is quite widely accepted to its readers today. It begins with God creating land, water, and then man (Adam). God then created the garden in Eden filled with “every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the tree of life, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:9). God warned Adam saying that he could eat from every tree except the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Later, he created animals and a partner for Adam (Eve). Eve was eventually tricked into eating from the forbidden tree by the serpent. She gave a piece of the fruit to Adam and he ate as well. For doing so, God was extremely angry and punished the two severely. The common interpretation is that Eve was tricked into eating the apple from the forbidden tree, and then tempted Adam into eating it as well. Higgins argues that the Genesis story has been interpreted incorrectly in regards to pinning Eve as a temptress to Adam. This being true, our modern society gender issues could potentially be much different. Higgins points out that Genesis 3:6 states that Eve “gave some to her husband, and he ate,” later interpreted and believed that Eve was tempted by the serpent and then she tempted Adam to eat as well. If Eve simply gave the fruit to Adam and he ate it, instead of tempting him, readers’ views would be much different on both Adam and Eve. Eve is now believed to be a temptress, and looked and talked about as being evil because of her “persuasive” act. Much of the Old Testament and scriptures stereotype many women who follow as evil simply because of the first women (Eve) was “evil.” This is an unfortunate result of the pervasive interpretation of Genesis, which views her as a temptress (Higgins, 641). When God punished Adam and Eve, he began by punishing Eve. God told her that he would increase childbirth pain and she would desire her