Genesis 3:22

Authorized King James Version

And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר׀

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֣ה

H3068

And the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהִ֗ים

H430

God

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

הֵ֤ן

H2005

Behold

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

הָֽאָדָם֙

H120

the man

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

הָיָה֙

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כְּאַחַ֣ד

H259

is become as one

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

מִמֶּ֔נּוּ

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

לָדַ֖עַת

H3045

of us to know

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

#10

ט֣וֹב

H2896

good

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

#11

וָרָ֑ע

H7451

and evil

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

#12

וְעַתָּ֣ה׀

H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

#13

פֶּן

H6435

properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest

#14

יִשְׁלַ֣ח

H7971

and now lest he put forth

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

#15

יָד֗וֹ

H3027

his hand

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

#16

וְלָקַח֙

H3947

and take

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

#17

גַּ֚ם

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

#18

מֵעֵ֣ץ

H6086

also of the tree

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

#19

הַֽחַיִּ֔ים

H2416

of life

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

#20

וְאָכַ֖ל

H398

and eat

to eat (literally or figuratively)

#21

וָחַ֥י

H2425

and live

to live; causatively to revive

#22

לְעֹלָֽם׃

H5769

for ever

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

Analysis

This verse develops the creation and providence theme central to Genesis. The concept of life reflects God's absolute sovereignty over all existence. The divine name or title here functions within foundational narrative establishing God's relationship with creation and humanity to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern narrative literature addressing origins and identity shapes this text's meaning. The development from creation to divine election established God's sovereign care over history Understanding a worldview where divine beings actively governed natural and historical processes helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes life in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How might the original audience's understanding of life differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
How does the creation and providence theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on life address questions about God's character and purposes in the modern world, and how should the church respond?

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