And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
Parallel translations
- WEB Their eyes were opened, and they both knew that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together, and made coverings for themselves.
- BSB And the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; so they sewed together fig leaves and made coverings for themselves.
- NKJV Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.
- NASB Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves waist coverings.
- NLT At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Their eyes are opened to their nakedness, and they cover themselves. Sin brings shame and a futile attempt to hide it.
Overview
After eating, the couple's eyes are opened, but instead of the promised godlikeness they discover shame and sew fig leaves to cover themselves. Their first response to sin is guilt and an inadequate effort to fix the problem on their own. These self-made coverings foreshadow humanity's need for the covering God alone can provide, ultimately fulfilled in the righteousness given through Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Gen 2:25And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
- Isa 59:6Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands.
- Gen 3:5For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
- Job 9:29–31If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain?
- Isa 28:20For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.
- Gen 3:10–11And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
- 2 Kgs 6:20And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.
- Deut 28:34So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.
- Luke 16:23And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
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Christ at the center
From the first promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent (3:15), through Abraham's blessing to all nations and Judah's coming ruler, Genesis sows every seed that flowers in Christ — the true offspring, the better Adam, the ram caught for Isaac.
How Genesis 3:7 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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