Genesis 3 Background Information with Maps and Images (Picture Study Bible - Genesis) Free Bible Online

Brief Summary: The serpent appears in the Garden of Eden and seduces Eve into partaking of the forbidden fruit. Adam who was with her also partook, and sin entered the world. God pronounced curses on the three of them. Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden, and the LORD placed Cherubim on the East side of the Garden of Eden with a flaming sword to guard the way to the tree of life.

Detailed Summary: The serpent comes and subtly speaks to the woman about they are allowed to eat. He then questions God and promises her that if she eats she will not die but she will be like God. She looked at the fruit and chose to eat. Adam who was with her also ate. They covered themselves with aprons made from sewn fig leaves. When they heard the LORD they hid themselves. God called Adam and questioned him, and he blamed the woman, and when God asked the woman she blamed the serpent. The LORD pronounced a curse on each of them beginning with the serpent. The serpent was cursed above all cattle, and be cast to the ground on his belly. Then the amazing prophecy of Satan's defeat through the death of Christ, he will bruise your head and you will bruise his heel. To the woman the LORD said that he would multiply her pain in childbirth and that the man would rule over her. To the man he said that the ground would be cursed with thorns and thistles and man would have to work by the sweat of his brow to eat bread. He concluded by saying that from dust you came and from dust you shall return. Adam named his wife Eve since she was the mother of all living, and the LORD made coat from an animal sacrifice to cover their nakedness. The LORD also cast them from the garden and placed the cherubim with a flaming sword that turned every way at the east end to guard the way to the tree of life.

Who is Mentioned: God, Satan, Adam, and Eve.

Key Concept: Sin and death enter the human race (Genesis 3:6)

Key Verse: Genesis 3:15 reveals that death will be conquered by the seed of the woman.

The Supposed Location of the Garden of Eden

Archaeology Note - Tree of Life Relief

8th Century BC An ancient handle made of bone with carvings. It was from the site of ancient Hazor, depicting the tree of life, a date palm. [Archaeology Note]

Important Related Verses:
Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned
1 Corinthians 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] a quickening spirit.
1 Corinthians 15:20-23 But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
Luke 4:5-8 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
John 8:44 Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, [ye] heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Interesting Notes:
The serpent (Hebrew nachash) means poisoner.
The serpent stood upright before the curse had cast him to his belly.
The Bible does not reveal what kind of fruit was forbidden.
Adam was with her when she was deceived.
Adam chose to sin bringing death unto all mankind
Adam as a type of Christ died for his bride
When Jesus was tempted the devil said all kingdoms (dominion) were handed to him and he could give them to whomever he chose. Adam handed the crown to Satan.
The LORD covered their nakedness with a blood sacrifice. Now only by the blood of an animal sacrifice can man approach the LORD in fellowship.
The LORD made coats from one skin, the Hebrew for skin is singular.
The LORD said Behold, the man is become as one of us, implying the trinity.
The Cherubim had four faces according to the vision of Ezekiel.

Quick Reference Map

Map of the Supposed Location of the Garden of Eden (Click to Enlarge)

Click to Enlarge

Chart showing the number of years from the creation of the world to the great flood (deluge).

Image of the Cherubim with four faces: lion, eagle, ox, and man according to the vision of the prophet Ezekiel.

Genesis Resources

Creation
Adam and Eve
The Flood
The Tower of Babel
Abraham the First Hebrew
Isaac, Son of Promise
Jacob and the 12 Tribes
Joseph and Egypt