Did Eve really do this?

[Pastor_Bob]

I have heard dozens of messages about how Eve, during her conversation with the serpent in Genesis 3, added to the Word of God. They obviously compare the following passages:
Genesis 2:16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Genesis 3:2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

It is very important to get the timeline down in this account of creation and the fall of man. God creates man; God gives man a specific command; God creates woman.

God clearly told Adam that he was not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This command was clearly given before the woman was created. There can be no doubt that Adam, after Eve was created, was responsible to instruct her in the commands of God. It also seems to be clear that he did tell her what God said. Adam undoubtedly told Eve that God told him that they were not to eat of that particular tree. They could eat of any other tree in the garden, just not that tree.

Now, here is where I would like to speculate just a bit. There is no way that I or anyone else can be dogmatic about this, so let me offer just a few thoughts about this incident.

It is possible that Adam, as the God-given authority in the home, instituted his own safeguards to see that his wife stayed a safe distance from violating the clearly stated law of God.

It is possible that Adam told his wife, "God said that we are not to eat of this tree” and then went a step further and added, “And I do not want you to even touch it!” Let’s face it, it would have been very difficult for Eve to eat something if she'd never even touched it.

There is no disputing the fact that Eve said to the serpent when he asked what God had said: “God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.” Could it be that Eve was repeating Adam’s command as if it were the command of God? That would be very much in keeping with the Word of God in
Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

I believe that it is very possible that Eve, until this great face-to-face temptation with Satan himself, submitted to the authority and protection of her husband, even to the point that she repeated Adam’s command as if it had come God Himself.

Consider this, if Eve would have been guilty of adding to God's Word here, would not that have been a sin? Maybe, just maybe, this was not a sin because she was simply submitting to Adam, her God-given authority. If it were a sin, would there have been any need to eat from the tree? Would not mankind have been plunged into sin by this simple act of adding to God's Word? Again, I am not being dogmatic, just sharing some thoughts that I have mulled over recently.

 

[Darrell C]

Think about this: Eve was not in her fallen state at this point, thus it is unlikely the much loved point of countless sermons (Eve added to the Word of God!) is a credible point. I think it very likely that not touching it was commanded of God though we have no record of it. We do not have a record of animal sacrifice being instituted but we see Abel offering to God.

God bless.

 

[just-want-peace]

This event is one I have mulled over many times and in various manners. I have a world of "What-ifs" & "Suppose thats--" that are interesting to muse over, but nothing in scripture to answer the questions -that I'm aware of anyway!
This scenario is one that I have never considered, so I'll add it to the list!

I personally think that it's a good exercise to bring up such points --- if not allowed to dominate the study of scripture, as it tends, to me anyway, to make me pay closer attention to what exactly is being said/taught/revealed.

 

[Aaron]

Let’s face it, it would have been very difficult for Eve to eat something if she'd never even touched it.

The Jews have a saying. "Build a fence around the Torah." It means that one should draw the line further back from where one thinks the line is drawn by the law, hence obedience to the man-made rule prevents the transgressions of God's law and keeps one pure and righteous and holy.

When the Jews get a convert, they make him twice the child of hell that he was.

I think the commandment, "don't eat," meant, "don't touch." Just as "don't kill," means don't bear ill will, anger or a grudge, and "don't commit adultery" means "don't look." And I think Eve knew that.

 

[agedman]

I have heard dozens of messages about how Eve, during her conversation with the serpent in Genesis 3, added to the Word of God. They obviously compare the following passages:
Genesis 2:16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Genesis 3:2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

It is very important to get the timeline down in this account of creation and the fall of man. God creates man; God gives man a specific command; God creates woman.

God clearly told Adam that he was not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This command was clearly given before the woman was created. There can be no doubt that Adam, after Eve was created, was responsible to instruct her in the commands of God. It also seems to be clear that he did tell her what God said. Adam undoubtedly told Eve that God told him that they were not to eat of that particular tree. They could eat of any other tree in the garden, just not that tree.

Now, here is where I would like to speculate just a bit. There is no way that I or anyone else can be dogmatic about this, so let me offer just a few thoughts about this incident.

It is possible that Adam, as the God-given authority in the home, instituted his own safeguards to see that his wife stayed a safe distance from violating the clearly stated law of God.

It is possible that Adam told his wife, "God said that we are not to eat of this tree” and then went a step further and added, “And I do not want you to even touch it!” Let’s face it, it would have been very difficult for Eve to eat something if she'd never even touched it.

There is no disputing the fact that Eve said to the serpent when he asked what God had said: “God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.” Could it be that Eve was repeating Adam’s command as if it were the command of God? That would be very much in keeping with the Word of God in
Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

I believe that it is very possible that Eve, until this great face-to-face temptation with Satan himself, submitted to the authority and protection of her husband, even to the point that she repeated Adam’s command as if it had come God Himself.

Consider this, if Eve would have been guilty of adding to God's Word here, would not that have been a sin? Maybe, just maybe, this was not a sin because she was simply submitting to Adam, her God-given authority. If it were a sin, would there have been any need to eat from the tree? Would not mankind have been plunged into sin by this simple act of adding to God's Word? Again, I am not being dogmatic, just sharing some thoughts that I have mulled over recently.

I think it wise to remember that Eve was under Adam's authority. In this light, the Scriptures state:

6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened,...
​

So, although she touched the tree, that was not sinful, that she took the fruit was not sinful, nor giving the fruit to Adam was not sinful. She ate the fruit but her eyes were not opened.

Adam was "with her" and when HE ate - THEN the eyes of both of them were opened.

The transgression was Adam's to bear not Eve's, for she ate with no effect until she gave Adam a portion and he ate.

Even though Eve was deceived, that she doubted the words Adam had communicated from God, the condemnation fell upon the generations following through Adam. For Adam, not being deceived, freely took what was offered, in effect choosing that of the love of the flesh and the worldly over the love of God.

He, too, doubted God. For he could just as well called for God, knowing that God could make for him another help mate.

Doubt. That is the primary weapon of the enemy of believers.

But, typical of all men, they will do what the wife asks - eventually, even if it is doubtful.