New Living Translation
Genesis 3:20
20Then the man—Adam—named his wife Eve, because she would be the mother of all who live.
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.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.
- New King James Version (NKJV)And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.
Context of Genesis 3:20
18It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains. 19By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.” Then the man—Adam—named his wife Eve, because she would be the mother of all who live. 21And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife. 22Then the Lord God said, “Look, the human beings have become like us, knowing both good and evil. What if they reach out, take fruit from the tree of life, and eat it? Then they will 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 2:20He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. But still there was no helper just right for him.
- Genesis 5:29Lamech named his son Noah, for he said, “May he bring us relief from our work and the painful labor of farming this ground that the Lord has cursed.”
- Genesis 16:11And the angel also said, “You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You are to name him Ishmael (which means ‘God hears’), for the Lord has heard your cry of distress.
- Genesis 29:32So Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, for she said, “The Lord has noticed my misery, and now my husband will love me.”
- Genesis 35:18Rachel was about to die, but with her last breath she named the baby Ben-oni (which means “son of my sorrow”). The baby’s father, however, called him Benjamin (which means “son of my right hand”).
- Exodus 2:10Later, when the boy was older, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh’s daughter, who adopted him as her own son. The princess named him Moses, for she explained, “I lifted him out of the water.”
- 1 Samuel 1:20and in due time she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I asked the Lord for him.”
- Matthew 1:21And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
- Acts 17:26From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.
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
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