Genesis 3:1
Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Original Language Analysis
הָיָ֣ה
was
H1961
הָיָ֣ה
was
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
2 of 22
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מִכֹּל֙
H3605
מִכֹּל֙
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
חַיַּ֣ת
than any beast
H2416
חַיַּ֣ת
than any beast
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
5 of 22
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָשָׂ֖ה
had made
H6213
עָשָׂ֖ה
had made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
8 of 22
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
יְהוָ֣ה
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהִ֔ים
God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֔ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
10 of 22
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אַ֚ף
Yea
H637
אַ֚ף
Yea
Strong's:
H637
Word #:
14 of 22
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
15 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֱלֹהִ֔ים
God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֔ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
17 of 22
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
18 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
מִכֹּ֖ל
H3605
מִכֹּ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
20 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
2 Corinthians 11:3But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.2 Corinthians 11:14And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.Revelation 12:9And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.Revelation 20:2And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,Matthew 4:3And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.Matthew 10:16Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.Matthew 4:6And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.Isaiah 27:1In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.
Historical Context
Genesis was likely composed during or shortly after the Exodus (15th or 13th century BC), providing Israel with theological foundations: why the world is broken, why serpents are cursed, why humans rebel against God. Ancient Near Eastern creation myths depicted primordial chaos battles, but Genesis shows evil entering through creaturely choice, not cosmic struggle. The serpent as a creature (not a god) would have been countercultural—Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Canaan all featured serpent deities.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Satan still use the "Did God really say...?" strategy to undermine your confidence in Scripture today?
- What does the serpent's creaturely status teach us about evil's ultimate powerlessness before God?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Now the serpent was more subtil (עָרוּם, arum)—The Hebrew arum means "shrewd, crafty, prudent," a wordplay on Adam and Eve being "naked" (arummim, 2:25). The serpent perverts God-given wisdom into deceptive cunning. Revelation 12:9 and 20:2 identify this serpent as Satan, but Genesis presents him as merely a creature—more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. His creaturely status demolishes any dualism: evil has no independent power, only parasitic perversion of God's good creation.
Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree?—Satan's opening gambit is masterful: he feigns incredulity, misquotes God (adding "every"), and shifts focus from abundance (eat freely of all but one) to restriction ("shall not eat"). He doesn't openly deny God's word but questions whether God really said it, planting seeds of doubt. This remains his primary tactic—not frontal assault on Scripture but subtle erosion of confidence in its clarity and goodness (2 Corinthians 11:3). Every temptation begins with "Did God really say...?"