English Standard Version
Genesis 3:20
20The man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.
Genesis 3:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.
- New International Version (NIV)Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living.
- New King James Version (NKJV)And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Then the man—Adam—named his wife Eve, because she would be the mother of all who live.
Context of Genesis 3:20
18thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. 19By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return." The man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. 21And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them. 22Then the Lord God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—"
Read all of Genesis 3Genesis 3:20 word by word
וַיִּקְרָ֧א הָֽאָדָ֛ם שֵׁ֥ם אִשְׁתּ֖וֹ חַוָּ֑ה כִּ֛י הִ֥וא הָֽיְתָ֖ה אֵ֥ם כָּל־חָֽי׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Genesis 3:20
- Genesis 2:20The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him.
- Genesis 5:29and called his name Noah, saying, "Out of the ground that the Lord has cursed, this one shall bring us relief from our work and from the painful toil of our hands."
- Genesis 16:11And the angel of the Lord said to her, "Behold, you are pregnant and shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because the Lord has listened to your affliction.
- Genesis 29:32And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, "Because the Lord has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me."
- Genesis 35:18And as her soul was departing (for she was dying), she called his name Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin.
- Exodus 2:10When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, "Because," she said, "I drew him out of the water."
- 1 Samuel 1:20And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, "I have asked for him from the Lord."
- Matthew 1:21She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
- Acts 17:26And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,
Commentaries on Genesis 3:20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living - A man who does not understand the original cannot possibly comprehend the reason of what is said here. What has the word Eve to do with being the mother of all living? Our translators often follow the Septuagint; it is a pity they had not done so here, as the Septuagint translation is literal and correct: , ̔ · "And Adam called his wife's name Life, because she was the mother…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8-21Verses 8-21 - XVI. The Judgment 15. שׁוּף shûp “bruise, wound.” ͂ (= ͂ ?) tērein ̓́ ektribein Job 9:17, ͂ katapatein Psalm 139:11, ́ suntribein Romans 16:20. 16. תשׁוּקה teshûqâh “desire, inclination.” ́ apostrofee ̓́ epistrophē Genesis 3:8-13; the sentence pronounced upon each, Genesis 3:14-19; and certain particulars following thereupon, Genesis 3:20-21. Genesis 3:8-9 The voice, we conceive, is the thunder of the approach of God and his call to Adam…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 20-21Verses 20-21 God named the man, and called him Adam, which signifies red earth; Adam named the woman, and called her Eve, that is, life. Adam bears the name of the dying body, Eve of the living soul. Adam probably had regard to the blessing of a Redeemer, the promised Seed, in calling his wife Eve, or life; for He should be the life of all believers, and in Him all the families of the earth should be blessed. See also God's care for our first parents…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20The name Eve (Hebrew khawah) sounds like the word khayah, which means "to give life." After God announced Adam's future death (3:19), Adam showed hope by naming Eve with a name related to life. Adam named Eve soon after 3:16. Some understand this to show that Adam’s act of naming the woman reflects his role and responsibility in the relationship after they sinned (see study note on 2:19–20).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2020. Adam called his wife's name Eve--probably in reference to her being a mother of the promised Saviour, as well as of all mankind.Read the comment
Topics related to Genesis 3:20
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Genesis 3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries