Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Genesis, Chapter 3בראשית 3

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

The ordered communion of Genesis 2 now gives way under a temptation that works first through speech and interpretation before it issues in open transgression. The serpent does not begin with force but with a reframing of God's command, making obedience appear restrictive and divine generosity appear suspect. The woman then sees the tree under that altered light, the man joins her without resistance, and the moment of eating turns promised wisdom into shame, concealment, and fear. What follows is therefore not merely the violation of a single prohibition. It is the rupture of creaturely trust in the divine word, and with that rupture the whole fabric of human life is disordered: desire is bent, mutuality becomes strained, the ground is burdened, labor becomes painful, and death enters as the horizon of Adam's race. It is the narrative in which sin becomes not an abstract possibility but the active contradiction of God's good order within the first human household. Yet the movement is just as careful to show that judgment does not mean divine silence or abandonment. God comes seeking, questions the human pair into the open, and forces hidden rebellion to become spoken truth, even while their answers expose the new world of blame-shifting now governing them. The judgments upon serpent, woman, and man do not dissolve the seriousness of the breach, but they are delivered within continued divine address rather than impersonal annihilation. The naming of Eve preserves a note of life in the midst of death's sentence, and God's own making of garments for the human pair marks a severe but real mercy before their expulsion from Eden. It therefore binds deception, desire, disobedience, shame, curse, and exile together, while also showing that the God whose word has been mistrusted still confronts, judges, and provides for the creatures who can no longer dwell in his garden as before.

Translation & textual notes

The Hebrew base text here follows the Masoretic Text in the Leningrad tradition as represented by the Westminster Leningrad Codex / MorphHB diplomatic stream imported from OSHB; distinctively copyrighted apparatus from BHS or BHQ is not reproduced. One of the most densely interpreted chapters in the Hebrew Bible stands here, and several details deserve explicit notice. The adjective עָרוּם in v.1 ('crafty, shrewd') is intentionally set beside עֲרוּמִּים in 2:25 ('naked'), creating a literary hinge from innocent openness to cunning manipulation. The serpent's question exaggerates the divine prohibition and thereby reframes obedience as deprivation. In v.5 the phrase כֵּאלֹהִים may be rendered 'like God' or 'like gods/divine beings'; the singular sense fits the immediate narrative most naturally here, though the expression retains a wider semantic range. Verse 6 slows to a triadic description of the tree as good for food, delight to the eyes, and desirable for giving insight, making the act of transgression an interpretive reversal of the evaluative language of Genesis 1. In v.15 the syntax of זַרְעֲךָ / זַרְעָהּ and the shift to the singular pronouns הוּא ... תְּשׁוּפֶנּוּ / תְּשׁוּפֶנּוּ preserve a collective-descendant tension that later reception histories expand in different ways; the wording is left standing in its Hebrew force rather than being prematurely narrowed. Verse 16 contains the debated line וְאֶל אִישֵׁךְ תְּשׁוּקָתֵךְ, where תְּשׁוּקָה likely denotes turning or desire in a relation now marked by asymmetry rather than simple romantic affection. In v.20 חַוָּה is linked etymologically to חָי / living, and the naming stands as a small counterpoint of life within a judgment scene. Versification follows the MT.

1

וְהַנָּחָשׁ֙ הָיָ֣ה עָר֔וּם מִכֹּל֙ חַיַּ֣ת הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂ֖ה יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֑ים וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ אֶל הָ֣אִשָּׁ֔ה אַ֚ף כִּֽי אָמַ֣ר אֱלֹהִ֔ים לֹ֣א תֹֽאכְל֔וּ מִכֹּ֖ל עֵ֥ץ הַגָּֽן

Now the serpent was more crafty than every beast of the field that YHWH God had made; and he said to the woman, 'Indeed, did God say, "You shall not eat from any tree of the garden"?'

Narrative turn: the crafty serpent opens the temptation by reframing God's wordוְהַנָּחָשׁ
A descriptive clause opens the scene rather than immediate action, but the calm description gives way at once to destabilizing speech. The serpent's question is not a neutral request for information: it exaggerates the prohibition and invites the woman to renegotiate the command in the serpent's terms.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וְהַנָּחָשׁ֙and the serpentconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · נָחָשׁ (H5175)Subject (topic-setting nominal)נָחָשׁ (H5175) 'serpent'; one of the field creatures YHWH God made; its epithet עָרוּם echoes עֲרוּמִּים 'naked' (2:25) as a literary hinge.
הָיָ֣הwasQal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (nominal predicate clause)→ Perfective: stative — describing abiding characterהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; stative use equating the serpent with its trait of craftiness.
עָר֔וּםcraftyAdj m sg abs · עָרוּם (H6175)Predicate adjectiveעָרוּם (H6175) 'crafty, shrewd'; from עָרַם 'to be cunning'; the quality that equips the creature for the verbal assault that follows.
מִכֹּל֙more than allprep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Comparative prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; with מִן the phrase forms a superlative comparison.
חַיַּ֣תbeast ofN f sg constr · חַיָּה (H2416)Construct chain headחַיָּה (H2416) 'living creature, animal'; construct with הַשָּׂדֶה, restricting the comparison to wild animals.
הַשָּׂדֶ֔הthe fieldart + N m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Construct chain complementשָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field, open country'; the domain outside the cultivated garden.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (modifying חַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה)אֲשֶׁר (H834) general relative pronoun; introduces the divine-maker clause.
עָשָׂ֖הhad madeQal perf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: completed creative actעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make, do'; YHWH God is maker of all field animals, the serpent included.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper N · יהוה (H3068)Subject (relative clause)יהוה (H3068) the divine personal name; the Tetragrammaton, used together with אֱלֹהִים throughout this narrative.
אֱלֹהִ֑יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; plural of majesty; the compound name יהוה אֱלֹהִים is characteristic of Gen 2–3.
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙and he saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say, speak'; the serpent's temptation begins with speech, not force.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional preposition (marking addressee)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the recipient of the serpent's speech.
הָ֣אִשָּׁ֔הthe womanart + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Indirect object (addressee)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; the serpent addresses her directly, bypassing the man.
אַ֚ףindeedadv · אַף (H637)Emphatic particle (rhetorical insinuation)אַף (H637) 'also, even, indeed'; introduces the serpent's leading question with insinuating force.
כִּֽיthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer (introducing content of rhetorical question)כִּי (H3588) here introduces the reported divine speech the serpent is misquoting.
אָמַ֣רsaidQal perf 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (embedded reported speech)→ Perfective: completed utterance being citedאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the serpent cites God's word but distorts it by universalizing the prohibition.
אֱלֹהִ֔יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject (embedded reported-speech clause)אֱלֹהִים (H430); the serpent uses Elohim alone, dropping the personal name YHWH.
לֹ֣אnotneg · לֹא (H3808)Negationלֹא (H3808) strong negation; the prohibition as the serpent misquotes it.
תֹֽאכְל֔וּyou shall eatQal impf 2mp · אָכַל (H398)Prohibited action (negated yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — ongoing prohibitionאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the serpent universalizes to any tree; the actual prohibition was only the central tree (2:17).
מִכֹּ֖לfrom anyprep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Partitive phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; the serpent's exaggeration — as if no tree in the garden were permitted.
עֵ֥ץtree ofN m sg constr · עֵץ (H6086)Construct chain headעֵץ (H6086) 'tree, wood'; only one central tree had actually been forbidden.
הַגָּֽןthe gardenart + N m sg abs · גָּן (H1588)Construct chain complementגָּן (H1588) 'garden, enclosure'; Eden as the sphere of divine provision.
2

וַתֹּ֥אמֶר הָֽאִשָּׁ֖ה אֶל הַנָּחָ֑שׁ מִפְּרִ֥י עֵֽץ הַגָּ֖ן נֹאכֵֽל

And the woman said to the serpent, 'From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat,'

Dialogue response: the woman begins to restate the commandוַתֹּאמֶר
The woman resists the serpent's exaggeration by restating the garden's permitted abundance before moving in the next verse to the specific prohibition. Her answer is still close to the divine command, though the dialogue has already shifted the focus from provision to boundary.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַתֹּ֥אמֶרand she saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3fs · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the woman begins her reply, first affirming the general permission.
הָֽאִשָּׁ֖הthe womanart + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Subjectאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; the narrative identifies her explicitly as speaker.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional preposition (marking addressee)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the serpent as addressee.
הַנָּחָ֑שׁthe serpentart + N m sg abs · נָחָשׁ (H5175)Indirect object (addressee)נָחָשׁ (H5175) 'serpent'; the addressee of the woman's response.
מִפְּרִ֥יfrom fruit ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · פְּרִי (H6529)Partitive prepositional phrase (topic of reply)פְּרִי (H6529) 'fruit, produce'; the woman opens with the positive permission.
עֵֽץtrees ofN m sg constr · עֵץ (H6086)Construct chain headעֵץ (H6086) 'tree'; construct with הַגָּן; the woman accurately speaks of general tree-eating.
הַגָּ֖ןthe gardenart + N m sg abs · גָּן (H1588)Construct chain complementגָּן (H1588) 'garden'; Eden's enclosure as the domain of permitted fruit.
נֹאכֵֽלwe may eatQal impf 1cp · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (permissive clause)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — permitted ongoing actionאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the woman rightly affirms the general permission before turning to the restriction.
3

וּמִפְּרִ֣י הָעֵץ֮ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּתוֹךְ הַגָּן֒ אָמַ֣ר אֱלֹהִ֗ים לֹ֤א תֹֽאכְלוּ֙ מִמֶּ֔נּוּ וְלֹ֥א תִגְּע֖וּ בּ֑וֹ פֶּן תְּמֻתֽוּן

but from the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, God said, 'You shall not eat from it, and you shall not touch it, lest you die.'

Dialogue continuation: the woman narrows from general permission to specific prohibitionוּמִפְּרִי
The woman now names the restricted tree, but in doing so the dialogue has already tightened around the prohibition rather than the abundance. Her formulation is close to the command in Genesis 2, yet the added 'and you shall not touch it' shows the prohibition being revoiced under pressure within the serpent's frame.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וּמִפְּרִ֣יbut from fruit ofconj וּ + prep מִן + N m sg constr · פְּרִי (H6529)Contrastive partitive phraseפְּרִי (H6529) 'fruit'; the contrastive conjunction marks the shift from permission to the single exception.
הָעֵץ֮the treeart + N m sg abs · עֵץ (H6086)Definite reference (the specific prohibited tree)עֵץ (H6086) 'tree'; the definite article specifies the central tree of 2:17.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (modifying הָעֵץ)אֲשֶׁר (H834) introduces the locative relative clause identifying the tree.
בְּתוֹךְin the midst ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Locative prepositional phraseתָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, middle'; the tree's position at the garden's center underscores its significance.
הַגָּן֒the gardenart + N m sg abs · גָּן (H1588)Construct chain complementגָּן (H1588) 'garden'; Eden's enclosure.
אָמַ֣רsaidQal perf 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, introducing divine speech)→ Perfective: completed divine utterance citedאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the woman quotes the divine prohibition.
אֱלֹהִ֗יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subjectאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the woman uses the same form as the serpent.
לֹ֤אnotneg · לֹא (H3808)Negationלֹא (H3808) strong negation introducing the prohibition.
תֹֽאכְלוּ֙you shall eatQal impf 2mp · אָכַל (H398)Prohibited action (negated yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — ongoing prohibitionאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the woman accurately quotes the core prohibition against this tree.
מִמֶּ֔נּוּfrom itprep מִן + 3ms suffix · מִן (H4480)Partitive complementמִן (H4480) 'from'; with 3ms suffix referring to the prohibited tree.
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + neg · לֹא (H3808)Additional negation (coordinating clause)לֹא (H3808) negation; the woman adds the prohibition against touching, not found in 2:16–17.
תִגְּע֖וּyou shall touchQal impf 2mp · נָגַע (H5060)Prohibited action (woman's addition to the command)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — extended prohibitionנָגַע (H5060) 'to touch, strike'; absent from Gen 2:16–17; the woman extends the prohibition, perhaps as a protective hedge.
בּ֑וֹitprep בְּ + 3ms suffixPrepositional complement (object of touching)בְּ with pronominal suffix 3ms; refers to the prohibited tree.
פֶּןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Negative purpose conjunctionפֶּן (H6435) 'lest, otherwise'; introduces the feared consequence of transgression.
תְּמֻתֽוּןyou will dieQal impf 2mp + paragogic נ · מוּת (H4191)Consequence clause (feared outcome)→ Yiqtol: modal — threatened consequenceמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the paragogic נ adds emphasis; this echoes the divine warning of 2:17.
4

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר הַנָּחָ֖שׁ אֶל הָֽאִשָּׁ֑ה לֹֽא מ֖וֹת תְּמֻתֽוּן

And the serpent said to the woman, 'You shall surely not die.'

Dialogue escalation: the serpent directly contradicts the death-warningוַיֹּאמֶר
The serpent moves from insinuating question to open contradiction. The divine warning is now flatly denied, and the narrative crosses from destabilized interpretation into explicit false counter-word.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיֹּ֥אמֶרand he saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the serpent moves from insinuating question to open contradiction.
הַנָּחָ֖שׁthe serpentart + N m sg abs · נָחָשׁ (H5175)Subjectנָחָשׁ (H5175) 'serpent'; now explicitly named as speaker of the flat denial.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional preposition (marking addressee)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the woman as addressee.
הָֽאִשָּׁ֑הthe womanart + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Indirect object (addressee)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; the serpent still directs its speech to her.
לֹֽאnotneg · לֹא (H3808)Negation (flat contradiction of the divine warning)לֹא (H3808) strong negation; placed first for emphasis — the serpent flatly reverses God's word.
מ֖וֹתdyingQal inf abs · מוּת (H4191)Cognate infinitive absolute (intensifier)→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic denial — 'you shall certainly not die'מוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the inf abs paired with the following impf forms the Hebrew idiom for emphasis; the serpent uses the same construction as the death-warning in 2:17 but negates it.
תְּמֻתֽוּןyou will dieQal impf 2mp + paragogic נ · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (negated — denied future event)→ Yiqtol: modal — flatly denied consequenceמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the serpent quotes back the exact form the woman used in v.3 and negates it.
5

כִּ֚י יֹדֵ֣עַ אֱלֹהִ֔ים כִּ֗י בְּיוֹם֙ אֲכָלְכֶ֣ם מִמֶּ֔נּוּ וְנִפְקְח֖וּ עֵֽינֵיכֶ֑ם וִהְיִיתֶם֙ כֵּֽאלֹהִ֔ים יֹדְעֵ֖י ט֥וֹב וָרָֽע

For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.'

Dialogue rationale: the serpent offers a rival explanation of God's prohibitionכִּי
The contradiction is immediately supported by an alternative motive attributed to God. The prohibition is recast as divine withholding rather than protective command, and the promised result is framed as opened eyes and godlike knowledge.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
כִּ֚יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (rationale for the serpent's denial)כִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the serpent's alternative explanation of God's motive.
יֹדֵ֣עַknowsQal ptc m sg abs · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate (participle as present-tense predicate)→ Participle: durative — an ongoing state of knowingיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; in ptc the serpent frames God's knowledge as an abiding, self-interested awareness.
אֱלֹהִ֔יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subjectאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the serpent casts God as one withholding knowledge for selfish reasons.
כִּ֗יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer (content of God's knowing)כִּי (H3588) introduces the content of what God knows.
בְּיוֹם֙on the dayprep בְּ + N m sg constr · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the temporal clause parallels 2:17 ('in the day you eat of it').
אֲכָלְכֶ֣םyou eatQal inf constr + 2mp suffix · אָכַל (H398)Temporal infinitive clause (subject of temporal phrase)→ Infinitive construct: temporal — 'when you eat'אָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; inf constr with subject suffix; the temporal boundary the serpent claims opens knowledge.
מִמֶּ֔נּוּfrom itprep מִן + 3ms suffix · מִן (H4480)Partitive complement (source of eating)מִן (H4480) 'from'; with 3ms suffix referring to the forbidden tree.
וְנִפְקְח֖וּwill be openedconj וְ + Niphal impf 3cp · פָּקַח (H6491)Weqatal / coordinated consequence clause→ Yiqtol: imperfective — promised future resultפָּקַח (H6491) 'to open (eyes)'; Niphal passive; the serpent promises the serpent's promise — opened eyes as a good outcome.
עֵֽינֵיכֶ֑םyour eyesN com dual constr + 2mp suffix · עַיִן (H5869)Subject (of the Niphal passive)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; dual form; 'opened eyes' is the serpent's promised benefit.
וִהְיִיתֶם֙and you will beconj וִ + Qal weqatal 2mp · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal of consequential sequence→ Weqatal: consequential — result following the opening of eyesהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the becoming-like-God is the climax of the serpent's promise.
כֵּֽאלֹהִ֔יםlike Godprep כְּ + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Predicate complement (comparison)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God / divine beings'; כְּ comparison; the phrase may mean 'like God' or 'like divine beings'; in context it implies sharing the divine prerogative of moral discernment.
יֹדְעֵ֖יknowingQal ptc m pl constr · יָדַע (H3045)Attributive participle (characterizing the divine state)→ Participle: characterizing — 'ones who know'יָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; ptc in construct before טוֹב וָרָע; the knowing is presented as a divine attribute to be gained.
ט֥וֹבgoodAdj m sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Direct object (first member of merism)טוֹב (H2896) 'good'; first member of the טוֹב וָרָע merism meaning 'everything' from best to worst.
וָרָֽעand evilconj וָ + Adj m sg abs · רָע (H7451)Direct object (second member of merism)רָע (H7451) 'evil, bad'; with טוֹב forms a polar merism encompassing the full range of moral experience.
6

וַתֵּ֣רֶא הָֽאִשָּׁ֡ה כִּ֣י טוֹב֩ הָעֵ֨ץ לְמַאֲכָ֜ל וְכִ֧י תַֽאֲוָה ה֣וּא לָעֵינַ֗יִם וְנֶחְמָ֤ד הָעֵץ֙ לְהַשְׂכִּ֔יל וַתִּקַּ֥ח מִפִּרְי֖וֹ וַתֹּאכַ֑ל וַתִּתֵּ֧ן גַּם לְאִישָׁ֛הּ עִמָּ֖הּ וַיֹּאכַֽל

And 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 for giving insight; and she took from its fruit and ate, and she also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

Narrative climax: desire ripens into taking, eating, and shared transgressionוַתֵּרֶא
The verse slows to trace the woman's evaluative seeing before accelerating into a sequence of actions: taking, eating, giving, and the man's eating. The threefold description of the tree answers the serpent's rhetoric at the level of perception, desire, and promised wisdom.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וַתֵּ֣רֶאand she sawconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3fs · רָאָה (H7200)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; the narrative slows to trace the woman's evaluative seeing before the act.
הָֽאִשָּׁ֡הthe womanart + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Subjectאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; the narrative explicitly names her as the one whose perception precipitates the act.
כִּ֣יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer (content of seeing)כִּי (H3588) introduces the first of three evaluative clauses the woman perceives.
טוֹב֩goodAdj m sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Predicate adjective (first evaluative clause)טוֹב (H2896) 'good'; the same word used of creation in Gen 1; its application to the forbidden tree inverts the evaluative order.
הָעֵ֨ץthe treeart + N m sg abs · עֵץ (H6086)Subject (first evaluative clause)עֵץ (H6086) 'tree'; the definite article marks the specific central tree.
לְמַאֲכָ֜לfor foodprep לְ + N m sg abs · מַאֲכָל (H3978)Purpose prepositional phraseמַאֲכָל (H3978) 'food, something to eat'; from אָכַל; the practical-hunger evaluation.
וְכִ֧יand thatconj וְ + conj כִּי (H3588)Coordinating conjunction + complementizer (second evaluation)כִּי (H3588) introduces the second evaluative clause.
תַֽאֲוָהa delightN f sg abs · תַּאֲוָה (H8378)Predicate noun (second evaluative clause)תַּאֲוָה (H8378) 'desire, delight'; from אָוָה 'to desire'; appetite or longing aroused by sight.
ה֣וּאit3ms personal pron · הוּא (H1931)Subject-pronoun copula (emphatic)הוּא (H1931) 3ms pronoun; with feminine noun תַּאֲוָה, agrees with עֵץ (grammatically masc); functions as copula.
לָעֵינַ֗יִםto the eyesprep לְ + art + N com dual abs · עַיִן (H5869)Dative prepositional phrase (for whom it is a delight)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; dual; the visual attraction the serpent had promised as a good.
וְנֶחְמָ֤דand desirableconj וְ + Niphal ptc m sg abs · חָמַד (H2530)Coordinated attributive participle (third evaluation)→ Participle: characterizing — an enduring quality of desirabilityחָמַד (H2530) 'to desire, covet'; Niphal ptc 'desirable'; the same root as the tenth commandment's prohibition.
הָעֵץ֙the treeart + N m sg abs · עֵץ (H6086)Subject (third evaluation)עֵץ (H6086) 'tree'; the definite article repeated for the third clause.
לְהַשְׂכִּ֔ילto give insightprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · שָׂכַל (H7919)Purpose infinitive phrase→ Infinitive construct: purpose — to cause understandingשָׂכַל (H7919) 'to be wise, prosper, understand'; Hiphil 'to give insight'; the serpent's promised wisdom-benefit.
וַתִּקַּ֥חand she tookconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3fs · לָקַח (H3947)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (first transgressive act)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; the evaluative sequence gives way to decisive action.
מִפִּרְי֖וֹfrom its fruitprep מִן + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · פְּרִי (H6529)Partitive complement (what was taken)פְּרִי (H6529) 'fruit'; with 3ms suffix referring to the tree's fruit.
וַתֹּאכַ֑לand she ateconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3fs · אָכַל (H398)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the act so long anticipated by the dialogue is now executed.
וַתִּתֵּ֧ןand she gaveconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3fs · נָתַן (H5414)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the woman becomes the vector of the act to her husband.
גַּםalsoadv · גַּם (H1571)Additive adverbגַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; underscores that the man's participation is presented as equally deliberate.
לְאִישָׁ֛הּto her husbandprep לְ + N m sg constr + 3fs suffix · אִישׁ (H376)Indirect object (recipient)אִישׁ (H376) 'man, husband'; with 3fs suffix; the man is identified in relational terms as her husband.
עִמָּ֖הּwith herprep עִם + 3fs suffix · עִם (H5973)Adverbial of accompanimentעִם (H5973) 'with, together with'; with 3fs suffix; the man was present with her, which the narrative notes pointedly.
וַיֹּאכַֽלand he ateconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָכַל (H398)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (the man's act)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the man's eating closes the sequence; both have now transgressed.
7

וַתִּפָּקַ֨חְנָה֙ עֵינֵ֣י שְׁנֵיהֶ֔ם וַיֵּ֣דְע֔וּ כִּ֥י עֵֽירֻמִּ֖ם הֵ֑ם וַֽיִּתְפְּרוּ֙ עֲלֵ֣ה תְאֵנָ֔ה וַיַּעֲשׂ֥וּ לָהֶ֖ם חֲגֹרֹֽת

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

Narrative consequence: opened eyes yield shame rather than exaltationוַתִּפָּקַחְנָה
The serpent's promise of opened eyes is fulfilled, but in an ironic register. What the pair first perceives is not divine elevation but exposed nakedness, and their first post-transgression act is an improvised attempt to cover themselves.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַתִּפָּקַ֨חְנָה֙were openedconj וַ + Niphal wayyiqtol 3fp · פָּקַח (H6491)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (consequence of eating)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceפָּקַח (H6491) 'to open (eyes)'; Niphal passive; the serpent's promise is fulfilled but in an ironic register.
עֵינֵ֣יthe eyes ofN com dual constr · עַיִן (H5869)Subject (construct chain head)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; dual construct; the opened eyes yield not divine insight but shame.
שְׁנֵיהֶ֔םboth of themnumeral m dual constr + 3mp suffix · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Construct chain complement (subject)שְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; with suffix 'both of them'; the dual transgression yields a shared experience.
וַיֵּ֣דְע֔וּand they knewconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · יָדַע (H3045)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; the knowledge gained is not the hoped-for wisdom but the perception of their own nakedness.
כִּ֥יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer (content of knowing)כִּי (H3588) introduces what the opened eyes perceive.
עֵֽירֻמִּ֖םnakedAdj m pl abs · עֵירֹם (H5903)Predicate adjectiveעֵירֹם (H5903) 'naked'; related to עָרוּם 'crafty' (v.1) and עֲרוּמִּים (2:25); the chain of sound-play now closes in shame.
הֵ֑םthey3mp personal pron · הֵם (H1992)Subject pronoun (copula)הֵם (H1992) 3mp pronoun; serves as copula in the nominal predicate clause.
וַֽיִּתְפְּרוּ֙and they sewedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · תָּפַר (H8609)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceתָּפַר (H8609) 'to sew'; their first post-transgression act is improvised self-covering.
עֲלֵ֣הleaves ofN m sg constr · עָלֶה (H5929)Direct object (construct chain head)עָלֶה (H5929) 'leaf, foliage'; construct with תְאֵנָה; the material for improvised covering.
תְאֵנָ֔הfigN f sg abs · תְּאֵנָה (H8384)Construct chain complementתְּאֵנָה (H8384) 'fig tree, fig'; a specific identification of the material; fig leaves are large but perishable.
וַיַּעֲשׂ֥וּand they madeconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make, do'; the pair fashion their own covering — a human substitute for the later divine provision (v.21).
לָהֶ֖םfor themselvesprep לְ + 3mp suffixBenefactive prepositional phraseלְ with 3mp suffix; reflexive benefactive — they made coverings for their own bodies.
חֲגֹרֹֽתloinclothsN f pl abs · חֲגֹרָה (H2290)Direct objectחֲגֹרָה (H2290) 'belt, loincloth, girdle'; a covering for the lower body; the first human attempt to address shame.
8

וַֽיִּשְׁמְע֞וּ אֶת ק֨וֹל יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהִ֛ים מִתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ בַּגָּ֖ן לְר֣וּחַ הַיּ֑וֹם וַיִּתְחַבֵּ֨א הָֽאָדָ֜ם וְאִשְׁתּ֗וֹ מִפְּנֵי֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֔ים בְּת֖וֹךְ עֵ֥ץ הַגָּֽן

And they heard the sound of YHWH God walking in the garden at the breeze of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of YHWH God among the trees of the garden.

Narrative development: fear drives the pair into hiding from God's presenceוַיִּשְׁמְעוּ
The garden, which had been the sphere of given life and companionship, now becomes the place of concealment. Hearing YHWH God's approach produces hiding rather than welcome, showing the newly fractured relation between the human pair and their maker.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַֽיִּשְׁמְע֞וּand they heardconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · שָׁמַע (H8085)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; hearing the divine presence now produces fear rather than welcome.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking the definite direct object קוֹל.
ק֨וֹלthe sound ofN m sg constr · קוֹל (H6963)Direct object (construct chain head)קוֹל (H6963) 'voice, sound'; the audible approach of YHWH God in the garden.
יְהוָ֧הYHWHproper N · יהוה (H3068)Construct chain complement (possessive)יהוה (H3068) the Tetragrammaton; whose presence walking in the garden triggers the hiding.
אֱלֹהִ֛יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the compound name continued.
מִתְהַלֵּ֥ךְwalkingHitpael ptc m sg abs · הָלַךְ (H1980)Attributive participle (describing YHWH God's movement)→ Participle: durative — ongoing walking in the gardenהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to walk, go'; Hitpael suggests iterative/leisurely walking; an anthropomorphic image of divine presence.
בַּגָּ֖ןin the gardenprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · גָּן (H1588)Locative prepositional phraseגָּן (H1588) 'garden'; Eden as the location of divine walking — a regular communal setting now become a hiding place.
לְר֣וּחַat the breeze ofprep לְ + N com sg constr · רוּחַ (H7307)Temporal prepositional phraseרוּחַ (H7307) 'wind, breath, spirit'; here the cool breeze of the day; a temporal marker setting the time of divine approach.
הַיּ֑וֹםthe dayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Construct chain complementיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with לְרוּחַ indicates late afternoon when a breeze arises.
וַיִּתְחַבֵּ֨אand he hidconj וַ + Hitpael wayyiqtol 3ms · חָבָא (H2244)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָבָא (H2244) 'to hide'; Hitpael reflexive; the man hides himself from the divine presence he once presumably welcomed.
הָֽאָדָ֜םthe manart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Subjectאָדָם (H120) 'man, humankind'; the articular form pointing to the specific individual.
וְאִשְׁתּ֗וֹand his wifeconj וְ + N f sg constr + 3ms suffix · אִשָּׁה (H802)Coordinated subjectאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; with 3ms suffix; both hide together.
מִפְּנֵי֙from beforeprep מִן + N m pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Directional prepositional phrase (fleeing from the presence)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face, presence'; מִפְּנֵי with a person means 'from the presence of'; the pair flee God's face.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper N · יהוה (H3068)Object of מִפְּנֵי (whose presence they flee)יהוה (H3068) the Tetragrammaton; whose face/presence is the object of their fear.
אֱלֹהִ֔יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the compound name.
בְּת֖וֹךְamongprep בְּ + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Locative prepositional phrase (place of hiding)תָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, middle'; ironic: they hide in the midst of the very garden where God walks.
עֵ֥ץtrees ofN m sg constr · עֵץ (H6086)Construct chain headעֵץ (H6086) 'tree'; the garden trees that were the setting of provision now serve as the hiding place.
הַגָּֽןthe gardenart + N m sg abs · גָּן (H1588)Construct chain complementגָּן (H1588) 'garden'; Eden's enclosure.
9

וַיִּקְרָ֛א יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶל הָֽאָדָ֑ם וַיֹּ֥אמֶר ל֖וֹ אַיֶּֽכָּה

And YHWH God called to the man and said to him, 'Where are you?'

Narrative turning point: divine interrogation begins with summonsוַיִּקְרָא
The first divine word after the transgression is a question addressed to the man. The question is not born of ignorance but of judicial summons: the human is called out of hiding and into accountable speech.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיִּקְרָ֛אand he calledconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, summon'; the divine calling is judicial summons not ignorant searching.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper N · יהוה (H3068)Subjectיהוה (H3068) the Tetragrammaton; initiates the interrogation.
אֱלֹהִ֖יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the compound divine name.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional preposition (marking addressee)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; the man is the addressee of the divine summons.
הָֽאָדָ֑םthe manart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Indirect object (addressee of summons)אָדָם (H120) 'man'; God addresses the man first, following the chain of responsibility.
וַיֹּ֥אמֶרand saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; follows the summons — the divine question is addressed to the hiding man.
ל֖וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffixIndirect object (recipient of the question)לְ with 3ms suffix; the man is the recipient of the divine address.
אַיֶּֽכָּהwhere are youinterrog אַי + 2ms suffix · אַי (H335)Interrogative predicate (locative question)אַי (H335) 'where'; combined with 2ms suffix to form 'where are you?'; a judicial summons, not divine ignorance.
10

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר אֶת קֹלְךָ֥ שָׁמַ֖עְתִּי בַּגָּ֑ן וָאִירָ֛א כִּֽי עֵירֹ֥ם אָנֹ֖כִי וָאֵחָבֵֽא

And he said, 'I heard your sound in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, and I hid myself.'

Dialogue response: fear, nakedness, and hiding are confessedוַיֹּאמֶר
The man's reply links hearing God, fear, nakedness, and hiding in a single sequence. Shame has become dread before the divine presence, and the human now names fear where the previous chapter had named unashamed openness.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיֹּ֕אמֶרand he saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the man answers the divine summons.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking קֹלְךָ as the definite direct object.
קֹלְךָ֥your soundN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · קוֹל (H6963)Direct object (what was heard)קוֹל (H6963) 'voice, sound'; with 2ms suffix; the same divine sound described in v.8.
שָׁמַ֖עְתִּיI heardQal perf 1cs · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: completed act of hearingשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; the man's confession begins with hearing rather than answering where he is.
בַּגָּ֑ןin the gardenprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · גָּן (H1588)Locative prepositional phraseגָּן (H1588) 'garden'; the location of hearing — and of hiding.
וָאִירָ֛אand I was afraidconj וָ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs · יָרֵא (H3372)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (first-person confession)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָרֵא (H3372) 'to fear, be afraid'; fear of God replaces the former open relationship; shame has produced dread.
כִּֽיbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'because'; gives the reason for fear — nakedness perceived as exposure before God.
עֵירֹ֥םnakedAdj m sg abs · עֵירֹם (H5903)Predicate adjectiveעֵירֹם (H5903) 'naked'; the predicate of the nominal clause; the man names nakedness as the cause of his fear.
אָנֹ֖כִיI1cs personal pron · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject pronoun (copula)אָנֹכִי (H595) 1cs personal pronoun; emphatic subject; underscores that the man is making a personal confession.
וָאֵחָבֵֽאand I hidconj וָ + Niphal wayyiqtol 1cs · חָבָא (H2244)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (conclusion of confession)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָבָא (H2244) 'to hide'; Niphal reflexive; the hiding becomes self-confessed; the sequence — heard, feared, hid — traces the collapse of human confidence before God.
11

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר מִ֚י הִגִּ֣יד לְךָ֔ כִּ֥י עֵירֹ֖ם אָ֑תָּה הֲמִן הָעֵ֗ץ אֲשֶׁ֧ר צִוִּיתִ֛יךָ לְבִלְתִּ֥י אֲכָל מִמֶּ֖נּוּ אָכָֽלְתָּ

And he said, 'Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree from which I commanded you not to eat?'

Divine interrogation sharpens from shame to the breached commandוַיֹּאמֶר
The questioning narrows quickly from the man's claimed nakedness to the specific act of disobedience. God links the new self-awareness to the violated command, refusing to let shame obscure the underlying transgression.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיֹּ֕אמֶרand he saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the divine interrogation sharpens.
מִ֚יwhointerrog · מִי (H4310)Interrogative subjectמִי (H4310) 'who'; God asks who told the man he was naked — an indirect way of surfacing the transgression.
הִגִּ֣ידtoldHiphil perf 3ms · נָגַד (H5046)Predicate verb (interrogative clause)→ Perfective: completed act of disclosureנָגַד (H5046) 'to tell, declare'; Hiphil causative 'to make known'; the question links nakedness-awareness to a source.
לְךָ֔youprep לְ + 2ms suffixIndirect object (recipient of the disclosure)לְ with 2ms suffix; the man is the one who was told; God presses on the chain of knowledge.
כִּ֥יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer (content of disclosure)כִּי (H3588) introduces the content of what was told.
עֵירֹ֖םnakedAdj m sg abs · עֵירֹם (H5903)Predicate adjective (content clause)עֵירֹם (H5903) 'naked'; the same state the man just confessed.
אָ֑תָּהyou2ms personal pron · אַתָּה (H859)Subject pronoun (copula)אַתָּה (H859) 2ms personal pronoun; functions as copula in the nominal clause.
הֲמִןwas it frominterrog הֲ + prep מִן (H4480)Interrogative prepositional phraseמִן (H4480) 'from'; with הֲ forming a yes/no question: 'Have you eaten from?'
הָעֵ֗ץthe treeart + N m sg abs · עֵץ (H6086)Object of partitive prep (from which)עֵץ (H6086) 'tree'; the definite article points to the specific prohibited tree.
אֲשֶׁ֧רthatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (modifying הָעֵץ)אֲשֶׁר (H834) introduces the relative clause specifying the tree by its command-relation.
צִוִּיתִ֛יךָI commanded youPiel perf 1cs + 2ms suffix · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: completed act of commandingצָוָה (H6680) 'to command'; Piel; with suffix 'I commanded you'; the divine command is formally invoked for the first time in the interrogation.
לְבִלְתִּ֥יnot toprep לְ + neg · בִּלְתִּי (H1115)Negative purpose particleבִּלְתִּי (H1115) 'not, except'; with לְ forms the negative infinitival purpose 'so as not to.'
אֲכָלeatQal inf constr · אָכַל (H398)Negated purpose infinitive→ Infinitive construct: purpose — 'not to eat'אָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the inf constr gives the content of the prohibition.
מִמֶּ֖נּוּfrom itprep מִן + 3ms suffix · מִן (H4480)Partitive complementמִן (H4480) 'from'; with 3ms suffix referring to the tree; echoes the woman's words in v.3.
אָכָֽלְתָּyou ateQal perf 2ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause of rhetorical question)→ Perfective: completed transgressive act assertedאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the divine question ends with the implied assertion of the act.
12

וַיֹּ֖אמֶר הָֽאָדָ֑ם הָֽאִשָּׁה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נָתַ֣תָּה עִמָּדִ֔י הִ֛וא נָֽתְנָה לִּ֥י מִן הָעֵ֖ץ וָאֹכֵֽל

And the man said, 'The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave to me from the tree, and I ate.'

Dialogue evasion: the man shifts blame to the woman and indirectly to Godוַיֹּאמֶר
The man's answer confesses the act only at the end and devotes most of its force to deflection. The blame falls first on the woman and then, by implication, on the God who gave her, showing how transgression has already ruptured trust in every direction.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיֹּ֖אמֶרand he saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the man responds with deflection.
הָֽאָדָ֑םthe manart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Subjectאָדָם (H120) 'man'; the articular noun identifying the speaker.
הָֽאִשָּׁה֙the womanart + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Subject (of embedded relative clause — fronted topic)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; fronted for emphasis; the man points to her before naming his own act.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (modifying הָאִשָּׁה)אֲשֶׁר (H834) introduces the relative clause characterizing the woman.
נָתַ֣תָּהyou gaveQal perf 2ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (relative clause — indirect blame on God)→ Perfective: completed act attributed to Godנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, put'; 'you gave' — the man implicitly blames God for giving him the woman.
עִמָּדִ֔יwith meprep עִם + 1cs suffix · עִמָּד (H5978)Adverbial of accompanimentעִמָּד (H5978) variant of עִם 'with'; with 1cs suffix; the man notes her companionship as part of the problem.
הִ֛ואshe3fs personal pron · הִיא (H1931)Subject pronoun (resumptive)הִיא (H1931) 3fs personal pronoun; resumes the fronted subject הָאִשָּׁה with emphasis.
נָֽתְנָהgaveQal perf 3fs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: completed act of givingנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the man names the woman's giving as the action preceding his eating.
לִּ֥יmeprep לְ + 1cs suffixIndirect object (recipient)לְ with 1cs suffix; the man received the fruit from the woman.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Partitive prepositionמִן (H4480) 'from'; introduces the source.
הָעֵ֖ץthe treeart + N m sg abs · עֵץ (H6086)Partitive sourceעֵץ (H6086) 'tree'; the definite article refers to the prohibited tree.
וָאֹכֵֽלand I ateconj וָ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs · אָכַל (H398)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (confession delayed)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the actual confession of eating comes last, buried under layers of deflection.
13

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהִ֛ים לָאִשָּׁ֖ה מַה זֹּ֣את עָשִׂ֑ית וַתֹּ֨אמֶר֙ הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה הַנָּחָ֥שׁ הִשִּׁיאַ֖נִי וָאֹכֵֽל

And Yahweh God said to the woman, 'What is this you have done?' And the woman said, 'The serpent deceived me, and I ate.'

Divine interrogation followed by the woman's replyוַיֹּאמֶר
The questioning sequence moves from the man to the woman and exposes the human pattern of redirected blame. The woman's answer is briefer than the man's and names the serpent's deceptive agency before conceding the act itself.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרand he saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the interrogation turns from man to woman.
יְהוָ֧הYHWHproper N · יהוה (H3068)Subjectיהוה (H3068) the Tetragrammaton; the divine interrogator.
אֱלֹהִ֛יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; compound divine name.
לָאִשָּׁ֖הto the womanprep לְ + art + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Indirect object (addressee)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; the divine question now follows the chain of blame to its next link.
מַהwhatinterrog · מַה (H4100)Interrogative predicateמַה (H4100) 'what'; a terse moral challenge: 'What is this you have done?'
זֹּ֣אתthisdemonstrative pron f sg · זֹּאת (H2063)Subject (demonstrative reference to the act)זֹּאת (H2063) 'this (f)'; the demonstrative points to the specific act just narrated.
עָשִׂ֑יתyou have doneQal perf 2fs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (interrogative)→ Perfective: completed transgressive act asserted in question formעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; the rhetorical question functions as moral indictment.
וַתֹּ֨אמֶר֙and she saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3fs · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the woman's reply is briefer than the man's and more direct.
הָֽאִשָּׁ֔הthe womanart + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Subjectאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; explicitly named as speaker.
הַנָּחָ֥שׁthe serpentart + N m sg abs · נָחָשׁ (H5175)Subject (of embedded main clause — fronted topic)נָחָשׁ (H5175) 'serpent'; fronted; the woman names the serpent as primary agent.
הִשִּׁיאַ֖נִיdeceived meHiphil perf 3ms + 1cs suffix · נָשָׁא (H5377)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: completed act of deceptionנָשָׁא (H5377) 'to deceive, beguile'; Hiphil causative; the woman identifies the serpent's deception as the inciting cause.
וָאֹכֵֽלand I ateconj וָ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs · אָכַל (H398)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (confession)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the woman's confession of eating follows immediately after naming the serpent's agency.
14

וַיֹּאמֶר֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהִ֥ים אֶֽל הַנָּחָשׁ֮ כִּ֣י עָשִׂ֣יתָ זֹּאת֒ אָר֤וּר אַתָּה֙ מִכָּל הַבְּהֵמָ֔ה וּמִכֹּ֖ל חַיַּ֣ת הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה עַל גְּחֹנְךָ֣ תֵלֵ֔ךְ וְעָפָ֥ר תֹּאכַ֖ל כָּל יְמֵ֥י חַיֶּֽיךָ

And Yahweh God said to the serpent, 'Because you have done this, cursed are you above all the livestock and above every beast of the field; upon your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life.'

Judgment oracle against the serpentוַיֹּאמֶר
The interrogation gives way to direct sentence. Unlike the man and the woman, the serpent receives no question here; the oracle moves immediately from causal indictment to humiliation language and enduring abasement.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וַיֹּאמֶר֩and he saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the oracle of judgment begins — no question for the serpent.
יְהֹוָ֨הYHWHproper N · יהוה (H3068)Subjectיהוה (H3068) the Tetragrammaton; the divine judge pronouncing sentence.
אֱלֹהִ֥יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; compound divine name.
אֶֽלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional preposition (marking addressee)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; the serpent is addressed directly for sentence.
הַנָּחָשׁ֮the serpentart + N m sg abs · נָחָשׁ (H5175)Indirect object (addressee of oracle)נָחָשׁ (H5175) 'serpent'; the final target of the divine interrogation, though not questioned.
כִּ֣יbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (introducing indictment)כִּי (H3588) 'because'; provides the grounds for the sentence that follows.
עָשִׂ֣יתָyou have doneQal perf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: completed transgressive act cited as ground for judgmentעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; the act of deception is cited as the ground for the curse.
זֹּאת֒thisdemonstrative pron f sg · זֹּאת (H2063)Direct object (demonstrative — the act of deception)זֹּאת (H2063) 'this (f)'; the demonstrative points to the serpent's act of deception in the temptation.
אָר֤וּרcursedQal pass ptc m sg abs · אָרַר (H779)Predicate (passive participle as curse formula)→ Participle: resultant state — 'you are in a cursed condition'אָרַר (H779) 'to curse'; Qal passive ptc used as a performative declaration placing the serpent under divine curse.
אַתָּה֙you2ms personal pron · אַתָּה (H859)Subject of the curse declarationאַתָּה (H859) 2ms pronoun; explicit subject following the ptc predicate.
מִכָּלmore than allprep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Comparative prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; superlative comparison — cursed above every other creature.
הַבְּהֵמָ֔הthe livestockart + N f sg abs · בְּהֵמָה (H929)First comparandum (livestock)בְּהֵמָה (H929) 'livestock, cattle'; the domestic animals; the serpent was a wild creature yet is set below even livestock.
וּמִכֹּ֖לand more than allconj וּ + prep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinated comparative prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; extends the comparison to all wild animals.
חַיַּ֣תbeast ofN f sg constr · חַיָּה (H2416)Construct chain headחַיָּה (H2416) 'living creature, animal'; the same word as v.1 where the serpent was ranked above all field animals — now it falls below them all.
הַשָּׂדֶ֑הthe fieldart + N m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Construct chain complementשָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field'; wild creatures; the ironic reversal of v.1's superlative.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative preposition (describing posture of curse)עַל (H5921) 'upon, on'; the belly as the mode of locomotion.
גְּחֹנְךָ֣your bellyN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · גָּחוֹן (H1512)Object of prep (locative)גָּחוֹן (H1512) 'belly, torso'; with 2ms suffix; going on the belly is the posture of abasement.
תֵלֵ֔ךְyou shall goQal impf 2ms · יָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (sentence clause)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — enduring consequenceיָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; the serpent's future mode of movement; belly-crawling as permanent humiliation.
וְעָפָ֥רand dustconj וְ + N m sg abs · עָפָר (H6083)Direct object (second sentence clause, fronted)עָפָר (H6083) 'dust, dry earth'; what the serpent eats; links to the dust-fate of the man in v.19.
תֹּאכַ֖לyou shall eatQal impf 2ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (second sentence clause)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — enduring consequenceאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the ironic reversal — the creature that caused the eating of the forbidden fruit now eats dust.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Temporal accusative (duration)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; with יְמֵי חַיֶּיךָ forms 'all the days of your life.'
יְמֵ֥יdays ofN m pl constr · יוֹם (H3117)Construct chain head (temporal phrase)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; construct with suffix noun; the duration clause.
חַיֶּֽיךָyour lifeN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · חַי (H2416)Construct chain complementחַי (H2416) 'life, living'; with 2ms suffix; the duration of the serpent's curse is its lifetime.
15

וְאֵיבָ֣ה אָשִׁ֗ית בֵּֽינְךָ֙ וּבֵ֣ין הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה וּבֵ֥ין זַרְעֲךָ֖ וּבֵ֣ין זַרְעָ֑הּ ה֚וּא יְשׁוּפְךָ֣ רֹ֔אשׁ וְאַתָּ֖ה תְּשׁוּפֶ֥נּוּ עָקֵֽב

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall strike you on the head, and you shall strike him on the heel.

Judgment continuation: enduring hostility between linesוְאֵיבָה
The serpent's sentence expands beyond bodily abasement into a lasting conflict between opposing lines. The language is terse and memorable: mutual striking is real, but the asymmetry between head and heel gives the woman's seed the climactic position.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְאֵיבָ֣הand enmityconj וְ + N f sg abs · אֵיבָה (H342)Direct object (fronted — the thing to be placed)אֵיבָה (H342) 'enmity, hostility'; from אָיַב 'to be hostile'; a lasting antagonism, not merely momentary conflict.
אָשִׁ֗יתI will putQal impf 1cs · שִׁית (H7896)Predicate verb (main clause of the oracle)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — divine declaration of future actionשִׁית (H7896) 'to put, set, place'; God himself installs the enmity — it is not merely incidental conflict.
בֵּֽינְךָ֙between youprep בֵּין + 2ms suffix · בֵּין (H996)First term of the preposition בֵּין...וּבֵיןבֵּין (H996) 'between'; with suffix; marks the first party of the enmity.
וּבֵ֣יןand betweenconj וּ + prep בֵּין (H996)Coordinating prep (second term of enmity)בֵּין (H996) 'between'; the pair בֵּין ... וּבֵין marks two parties in opposition.
הָֽאִשָּׁ֔הthe womanart + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Second term (the woman)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; the first human party to the enmity.
וּבֵ֥יןand betweenconj וּ + prep בֵּין (H996)Coordinating prep (extending enmity to offspring)בֵּין (H996) 'between'; extends the enmity to the next generation.
זַרְעֲךָ֖your seedN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · זֶרַע (H2233)Third term (serpent's offspring)זֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, offspring, descendants'; collective; the serpent's seed — those who embody the serpent's opposition.
וּבֵ֣יןand betweenconj וּ + prep בֵּין (H996)Coordinating prep (fourth term)בֵּין (H996) 'between'; the final pair of the fourfold enmity structure.
זַרְעָ֑הּher seedN m sg constr + 3fs suffix · זֶרַע (H2233)Fourth term (the woman's offspring)זֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, offspring'; with 3fs suffix; the woman's descendant line; the collective-to-individual tension later reception histories expand.
ה֚וּאhe3ms personal pron · הוּא (H1931)Subject (of the striking clause)הוּא (H1931) 3ms personal pronoun; grammatically agrees with זֶרַע (m); may refer to the collective seed or to a singular figure within it.
יְשׁוּפְךָ֣will strike youQal impf 3ms + 2ms suffix · שׁוּף (H7779)Predicate verb (first striking clause)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — ongoing and future conflictשׁוּף (H7779) 'to strike, crush, bruise'; rare verb; the same verb used in both clauses makes the conflict reciprocal but asymmetrical.
רֹ֔אשׁthe headN m sg abs · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Direct object (body part struck)רֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head'; the head-blow is the mortal or decisive strike — climactic position.
וְאַתָּ֖הand youconj וְ + 2ms personal pron · אַתָּה (H859)Contrastive subject (second striking clause)אַתָּה (H859) 2ms pronoun; contrastive emphasis — the serpent's counter-strike is real but lesser.
תְּשׁוּפֶ֥נּוּwill strike himQal impf 2ms + 3ms suffix · שׁוּף (H7779)Predicate verb (second striking clause)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — the serpent's counter-strikeשׁוּף (H7779) 'to strike, crush'; same verb; the serpent's strike is directed at the heel — a lesser wound.
עָקֵֽבthe heelN m sg abs · עָקֵב (H6119)Direct object (body part struck)עָקֵב (H6119) 'heel'; a lesser, non-fatal target; the asymmetry of head vs. heel gives the woman's seed the climactic position.
16

אֶֽל הָאִשָּׁ֣ה אָמַ֗ר הַרְבָּ֤ה אַרְבֶּה֙ עִצְּבוֹנֵ֣ךְ וְהֵֽרֹנֵ֔ךְ בְּעֶ֖צֶב תֵּֽלְדִ֣י בָנִ֑ים וְאֶל אִישֵׁךְ֙ תְּשׁ֣וּקָתֵ֔ךְ וְה֖וּא יִמְשָׁל בָּֽךְ

To the woman he said, 'I will greatly multiply your pain and your conception; in pain you shall bear children. And toward your husband shall be your desire, and he shall rule over you.'

Judgment oracle to the womanאֶל הָאִשָּׁה אָמַר
The woman's sentence addresses both fruitfulness and relational ordering. The oracle does not remove the blessing of childbearing, but it binds it to pain, and it depicts the marriage relation after the fall as marked by asymmetry and strained desire.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
אֶֽלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional preposition (marking addressee — fronted)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; the oracle now pivots to the woman with the preposition fronted for emphasis.
הָאִשָּׁ֣הthe womanart + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Indirect object (addressee, fronted)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; the second addressee of the judgment oracles.
אָמַ֗רhe saidQal perf 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: completed speech actאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the verb follows its object in this fronted construction.
הַרְבָּ֤הgreatlyHiphil inf abs · רָבָה (H7235)Cognate infinitive absolute (intensifier)→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic intensification of the following verbרָבָה (H7235) 'to be many, multiply'; Hiphil inf abs 'to make many'; paired with אַרְבֶּה for the Hebrew idiom of emphasis ('I will greatly multiply').
אַרְבֶּה֙I will multiplyHiphil impf 1cs · רָבָה (H7235)Predicate verb (intensified by infinitive absolute)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — divine declaration of increased consequenceרָבָה (H7235) 'to multiply, increase'; Hiphil 'to cause to increase'; God multiplies the pain associated with childbearing.
עִצְּבוֹנֵ֣ךְyour painN m sg constr + 2fs suffix · עִצָּבוֹן (H6093)Direct object (first thing multiplied)עִצָּבוֹן (H6093) 'pain, toil, sorrow'; related to עֶצֶב; the physical and emotional anguish of the woman's sphere.
וְהֵֽרֹנֵ֔ךְand your conceptionconj וְ + N m sg constr + 2fs suffix · הֵרָיוֹן (H2032)Direct object (second thing multiplied — coordinated)הֵרָיוֹן (H2032) 'conception, pregnancy'; the word encompasses the whole process from conception through delivery.
בְּעֶ֖צֶבin painprep בְּ + N m sg abs · עֶצֶב (H6089)Instrumental/adverbial prepositional phraseעֶצֶב (H6089) 'pain, sorrow, toil'; related to עִצָּבוֹן (v.16a); the instrument or accompanying condition of bearing children.
תֵּֽלְדִ֣יyou shall bearQal impf 2fs · יָלַד (H3205)Predicate verb→ Yiqtol: imperfective — ongoing consequence in the woman's lifeיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear, give birth'; the blessing of fruitfulness continues but now bound to pain.
בָנִ֑יםchildrenN m pl abs · בֵּן (H1121)Direct objectבֵּן (H1121) 'son, child'; pl; childbearing continues but the context is transformed.
וְאֶלand towardconj וְ + prep אֶל (H413)Directional preposition (new clause — desire oriented toward)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; with תְּשׁוּקָה introduces the direction of the woman's desire.
אִישֵׁךְ֙your husbandN m sg constr + 2fs suffix · אִישׁ (H376)Object of the preposition (toward whom desire is directed)אִישׁ (H376) 'man, husband'; with 2fs suffix; the relational sphere.
תְּשׁ֣וּקָתֵ֔ךְyour desireN f sg constr + 2fs suffix · תְּשׁוּקָה (H8669)Subject (fronted nominal clause)תְּשׁוּקָה (H8669) 'desire, longing, turning'; rare noun (also Gen 4:7; Song 7:10); in context the desire is real but now marks a relation where the woman turns toward one who will rule over her.
וְה֖וּאand heconj וְ + 3ms personal pron · הוּא (H1931)Subject (contrastive — the man's side)הוּא (H1931) 3ms pronoun; contrasts the woman's desire with the man's rule.
יִמְשָׁלwill ruleQal impf 3ms · מָשַׁל (H4910)Predicate verb→ Yiqtol: imperfective — ongoing consequence in the marriage relationמָשַׁל (H4910) 'to rule, govern, dominate'; the post-fall relational asymmetry; the equal partnership of 2:23 is replaced by governance.
בָּֽךְover youprep בְּ + 2fs suffixPrepositional complement (object of rule)בְּ with 2fs suffix; the woman as the one ruled over.
17

וּלְאָדָ֣ם אָמַ֗ר כִּֽי שָׁמַעְתָּ֮ לְק֣וֹל אִשְׁתֶּךָ֒ וַתֹּ֨אכַל֙ מִן הָעֵ֔ץ אֲשֶׁ֤ר צִוִּיתִ֨יךָ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לֹ֥א תֹאכַ֖ל מִמֶּ֑נּוּ אֲרוּרָ֤ה הָֽאֲדָמָה֙ בַּֽעֲבוּרֶ֔ךָ בְּעִצָּבוֹן֙ תֹּֽאכֲלֶ֔נָּה כֹּ֖ל יְמֵ֥י חַיֶּֽיךָ

And to the man he said, 'Because you listened to the voice of your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, "You shall not eat from it," cursed is the ground on your account; in painful toil you shall eat from it all the days of your life.'

Judgment oracle to the manוּלְאָדָם אָמַר
The sentence on the man uniquely recites the violated command in fuller detail and locates the curse not directly on him but on the ground bound to his vocation. The result is not the removal of labor, but labor made painful and resistant.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וּלְאָדָ֣םand to the manconj וּ + prep לְ + proper N · אָדָם (H121)Indirect object (addressee, fronted)אָדָם (H121) 'Adam, man'; now used as a proper name; the third recipient of judgment.
אָמַ֗רhe saidQal perf 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: completed speech actאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the oracle turns to the man.
כִּֽיbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (introducing indictment)כִּי (H3588) 'because'; the man's sentence is the most elaborately grounded — indictment precedes curse.
שָׁמַעְתָּ֮you listenedQal perf 2ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (indictment clause)→ Perfective: completed act of heedingשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, obey'; here 'to heed the voice of' — the man obeyed his wife rather than God's command.
לְק֣וֹלto the voice ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · קוֹל (H6963)Object of שָׁמַע (what was heeded)קוֹל (H6963) 'voice'; שָׁמַע לְקוֹל = 'to obey/heed the voice of'; the man obeyed the wrong voice.
אִשְׁתֶּךָ֒your wifeN f sg constr + 2ms suffix · אִשָּׁה (H802)Construct chain complement (whose voice was heeded)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; with 2ms suffix; the man's failure is framed in terms of allegiance — he heeded his wife over God.
וַתֹּ֨אכַל֙and you ateconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 2ms · אָכַל (H398)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (second element of indictment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the eating follows from the heeding; both actions are cited as grounds.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Partitive prepositionמִן (H4480) 'from'; introduces the source of the eating.
הָעֵ֔ץthe treeart + N m sg abs · עֵץ (H6086)Partitive sourceעֵץ (H6086) 'tree'; the definite article points to the prohibited central tree.
אֲשֶׁ֤רthatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (modifying הָעֵץ)אֲשֶׁר (H834) introduces the relative clause specifying the tree by its prohibition.
צִוִּיתִ֨יךָ֙I commanded youPiel perf 1cs + 2ms suffix · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: completed divine commandצָוָה (H6680) 'to command'; Piel; the divine command is formally cited in the indictment.
לֵאמֹ֔רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Complementary infinitive (introducing direct speech)→ Infinitive construct: complementary — introducing quoted speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; לֵאמֹר is the standard quotation formula introducing direct speech.
לֹ֥אnotneg · לֹא (H3808)Negation (within the quoted prohibition)לֹא (H3808) strong negation.
תֹאכַ֖לyou shall eatQal impf 2ms · אָכַל (H398)Prohibited action (quoted divine command)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — quoted prohibitionאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the prohibition quoted verbatim (2ms singular addressing Adam).
מִמֶּ֑נּוּfrom itprep מִן + 3ms suffix · מִן (H4480)Partitive complementמִן (H4480) 'from'; with 3ms suffix referring to the tree.
אֲרוּרָ֤הcursedQal pass ptc f sg abs · אָרַר (H779)Predicate (passive participle as curse declaration, f agreeing with אֲדָמָה)→ Participle: resultant state — 'the ground is in a cursed condition'אָרַר (H779) 'to curse'; the f form agrees with אֲדָמָה; notably the curse falls on the ground, not directly on the man.
הָֽאֲדָמָה֙the groundart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Subject of the curse declarationאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, earth'; with art; the specific soil from which Adam was taken (2:7) and to which he returns (3:19).
בַּֽעֲבוּרֶ֔ךָon your accountprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · עֲבוּר (H5668)Causal prepositional phraseעֲבוּר (H5668) 'for the sake of, because of'; with בְּ and 2ms suffix; the man is the cause of the ground's cursing.
בְּעִצָּבוֹן֙in painful toilprep בְּ + N m sg abs · עִצָּבוֹן (H6093)Instrumental/adverbial prepositional phraseעִצָּבוֹן (H6093) 'pain, toil, sorrow'; the same word as v.16 applied to the woman; now applied to the man's agricultural labor.
תֹּֽאכֲלֶ֔נָּהyou shall eat of itQal impf 2ms + 3fs suffix · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb→ Yiqtol: imperfective — ongoing toil consequenceאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; with 3fs suffix referring to the ground; he eats from the cursed ground.
כֹּ֖לallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Temporal accusative (duration — all the days)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; temporal construct with the following noun chain.
יְמֵ֥יdays ofN m pl constr · יוֹם (H3117)Construct chain head (temporal phrase)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the duration of the curse.
חַיֶּֽיךָyour lifeN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · חַי (H2416)Construct chain complementחַי (H2416) 'life, living'; with 2ms suffix; the man's toil lasts his entire lifetime.
18

וְק֥וֹץ וְדַרְדַּ֖ר תַּצְמִ֣יחַֽ לָ֑ךְ וְאָכַלְתָּ֖ אֶת עֵ֥שֶׂב הַשָּׂדֶֽה

And thorn and thistle it shall cause to sprout for you, and you shall eat the plants of the field.

Judgment continuation: the ground yields resistanceוְק֥וֹץ
This verse elaborates the curse on the ground by describing what it now produces in relation to human labor. The man's food remains tied to the earth, but the earth's growth is no longer simply garden abundance; it includes obstruction and struggle.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וְק֥וֹץand thornsconj וְ + N m sg abs · קוֹץ (H6975)Direct object (fronted — first product of the cursed ground)קוֹץ (H6975) 'thorn, thornbush'; the cursed ground's primary product, symbolizing resistance to human labor.
וְדַרְדַּ֖רand thistlesconj וְ + N m sg abs · דַּרְדַּר (H1863)Direct object (fronted — second product)דַּרְדַּר (H1863) 'thistle, bur'; paired with קוֹץ; both are prickly, obstinate plants symbolizing agricultural hardship.
תַּצְמִ֣יחַֽit shall cause to sproutHiphil impf 3fs · צָמַח (H6779)Predicate verb (3fs — subject is הָאֲדָמָה from v.17)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — ongoing consequence of the curseצָמַח (H6779) 'to sprout, grow'; Hiphil causative 'to cause to grow'; the earth itself becomes an agent of resistance.
לָ֑ךְfor youprep לְ + 2ms suffixBenefactive prepositional phrase (ironically — for the man's burden)לְ with 2ms suffix; the ground sprouts these obstacles specifically for the man.
וְאָכַלְתָּ֖and you shall eatconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · אָכַל (H398)Weqatal of consequential sequence→ Weqatal: consequential — the man must eat despite the ground's resistanceאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; despite the thorns and thistles, the man must still eat — food comes with struggle.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking עֵשֶׂב הַשָּׂדֶה as the definite direct object.
עֵ֥שֶׂבplants ofN m sg constr · עֶשֶׂב (H6212)Direct object (construct chain head)עֶשֶׂב (H6212) 'herb, grass, vegetation'; the cultivated crops that now come only through painful toil.
הַשָּׂדֶֽהthe fieldart + N m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Construct chain complementשָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field, open country'; the field as the domain of difficult agricultural labor.
19

בְּזֵעַ֤ת אַפֶּ֨יךָ֙ תֹּ֣אכַל לֶ֔חֶם עַ֤ד שֽׁוּבְךָ֙ אֶל הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה כִּ֥י מִמֶּ֖נָּה לֻקָּ֑חְתָּ כִּֽי עָפָ֣ר אַ֔תָּה וְאֶל עָפָ֖ר תָּשֽׁוּב

By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground, for from it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return.

Judgment development: the toil sentence is driven to its terminal horizon in deathבְּזֵעַת
The sentence carries the curse on human labor to its final boundary. Toil, food, ground, and return now converge: the man must wrest bread from the soil until the soil reclaims him, and the אדם/אדמה linkage from chapter 2 is restated as mortality.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
בְּזֵעַ֤תby sweat ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · זֵעָה (H2188)Instrumental prepositional phrase (means of eating)זֵעָה (H2188) 'sweat'; hapax in Pentateuch; the bodily cost of wresting food from resistant ground.
אַפֶּ֨יךָ֙your faceN m dual constr + 2ms suffix · אַף (H639)Construct chain complementאַף (H639) 'nose, face, anger'; dual construct with suffix; 'sweat of your face' = hard labor until perspiration.
תֹּ֣אכַלyou shall eatQal impf 2ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — ongoing burden of toilאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; food now costs the full exertion of the body.
לֶ֔חֶםbreadN com sg abs · לֶחֶם (H3899)Direct objectלֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread, food'; the basic sustenance; the man labors to produce the food the ground now resists giving.
עַ֤דuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal preposition (terminal limit)עַד (H5704) 'until, as far as'; marks the terminal boundary of the toil sentence — death.
שֽׁוּבְךָ֙your returnQal inf constr + 2ms suffix · שׁוּב (H7725)Temporal infinitive clause (end point)→ Infinitive construct: temporal — 'when/until you return'שׁוּב (H7725) 'to return'; inf constr with subject suffix; the return to the ground is the euphemism for death.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositionאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the direction of return — back to the ground.
הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔הthe groundart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Object of preposition (destination of return)אֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, earth'; the man returns to the very ground from which he was taken — the אָדָם/אֲדָמָה pun of 2:7 now resolves in mortality.
כִּ֥יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (grounding the return-to-ground)כִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; gives the reason: he was taken from the ground.
מִמֶּ֖נָּהfrom itprep מִן + 3fs suffix · מִן (H4480)Partitive complement (source of origin)מִן (H4480) 'from'; with 3fs suffix referring to הָאֲדָמָה; the ground is both origin and destination.
לֻקָּ֑חְתָּyou were takenPual perf 2ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: passive — completed act of creationלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; Pual passive 'you were taken'; echoes 2:7 and the man's derivation from the ground.
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (second ground — mortality declaration)כִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; second כִּי clause grounds the return in the man's elemental nature.
עָפָ֣רdustN m sg abs · עָפָר (H6083)Predicate noun (nominal clause)עָפָר (H6083) 'dust, dry earth'; the man's material constitution; same word the serpent eats (v.14), creating an ironic connection.
אַ֔תָּהyou are2ms personal pron · אַתָּה (H859)Subject pronoun (copula)אַתָּה (H859) 2ms pronoun; emphatic — 'you yourself are dust.'
וְאֶלand toconj וְ + prep אֶל (H413)Directional preposition (new clause)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the destination of the return.
עָפָ֖רdustN m sg abs · עָפָר (H6083)Object of preposition (destination)עָפָר (H6083) 'dust'; the man's end point matches his origin — the ultimate frame of mortality.
תָּשֽׁוּבyou shall returnQal impf 2ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb→ Yiqtol: imperfective — certain future event (death)שׁוּב (H7725) 'to return, turn back'; the return to dust is the terminal horizon of human life outside Eden.
20

וַיִּקְרָ֧א הָֽאָדָ֛ם שֵׁ֥ם אִשְׁתּ֖וֹ חַוָּ֑ה כִּ֛י הִ֥וא הָֽיְתָ֖ה אֵ֥ם כָּל חָֽי

And the man called his wife's name Eve, because she became the mother of all living.

Narrative continuation: naming answers the death sentence with a life-oriented designationוַיִּקְרָא
After the sentence of death, the narrative briefly pauses on an act of naming. The woman receives a name associated with life, and the explanatory clause frames her as the human source of subsequent living generations.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיִּקְרָ֧אand he calledconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, name'; the act of naming asserts significance and relationship.
הָֽאָדָ֛םthe manart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Subjectאָדָם (H120) 'man, Adam'; the man who received the death sentence now gives a name associated with life.
שֵׁ֥םthe name ofN m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Direct object (construct chain head)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; the act of naming marks identity and often destiny.
אִשְׁתּ֖וֹhis wifeN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · אִשָּׁה (H802)Construct chain complement (whose name is given)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'wife'; with 3ms suffix; the man names his wife in a relational act even within the judgment scene.
חַוָּ֑הEveproper N · חַוָּה (H2332)Predicate complement (the name given)חַוָּה (H2332) 'Eve'; connected etymologically to חָיָה 'to live' / חַי 'living'; the life-name stands as a counterpoint to the death sentence.
כִּ֛יbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (explaining the name)כִּי (H3588) 'because'; introduces the etymology/rationale for the name.
הִ֥ואshe3fs personal pron · הִיא (H1931)Subject pronounהִיא (H1931) 3fs pronoun; the woman is the subject of the explanatory clause.
הָֽיְתָ֖הbecameQal perf 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (explanatory clause)→ Perfective: completed — she has become the motherהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the verb of becoming marks her new identity.
אֵ֥םmother ofN f sg constr · אֵם (H517)Predicate complement (construct chain head)אֵם (H517) 'mother'; the most intimate relational noun for the woman's role as life-source.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain complement (partitive — of all)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; with חָי 'all living' — the scope of her motherhood.
חָֽיthe livingAdj m sg abs · חַי (H2416)Construct chain complementחַי (H2416) 'living, alive'; the same root as חַוָּה; the name and its explanation are bound by this root.
21

וַיַּעַשׂ֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהִ֜ים לְאָדָ֧ם וּלְאִשְׁתּ֛וֹ כָּתְנ֥וֹת ע֖וֹר וַיַּלְבִּשֵֽׁם

And YHWH God made for the man and for his wife garments of skin, and he clothed them.

Narrative development: divine provision accompanies judgmentוַיַּעַשׂ
The verse records a gracious divine action after exposure and sentencing. YHWH God himself supplies durable covering for the pair, so the expulsion narrative is not sheer abandonment but judgment joined with provision.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיַּעַשׂ֩and he madeconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make, do'; YHWH God himself makes the durable garments — an act of provision within judgment.
יְהוָ֨הYHWHproper N · יהוה (H3068)Subjectיהוה (H3068) the Tetragrammaton; the maker of the skin garments replaces the fig-leaf covering of v.7.
אֱלֹהִ֜יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; compound name.
לְאָדָ֧םfor the manprep לְ + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Indirect object (benefactive — first recipient)אָדָם (H120) 'man, Adam'; the man is the first beneficiary of the divine provision.
וּלְאִשְׁתּ֛וֹand for his wifeconj וּ + prep לְ + N f sg constr + 3ms suffix · אִשָּׁה (H802)Indirect object (benefactive — second recipient)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'wife'; with 3ms suffix; both receive the divine clothing.
כָּתְנ֥וֹתgarmentsN f pl constr · כֻּתֹּנֶת (H3801)Direct object (construct chain head)כֻּתֹּנֶת (H3801) 'tunic, garment'; a long body garment; more durable and complete than the fig-leaf loincloths.
ע֖וֹרof skinN m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Construct chain complement (material)עוֹר (H5785) 'skin, hide'; animal skins; implies the death of animals for the covering — a significant detail in the narrative of life and death.
וַיַּלְבִּשֵֽׁםand clothed themconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms + 3mp suffix · לָבַשׁ (H3847)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָבַשׁ (H3847) 'to clothe, dress'; Hiphil causative with 3mp suffix; God himself dresses them — the shame exposed in v.7 is met by divine provision.
22

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֗ים הֵ֤ן הָֽאָדָם֙ הָיָה֙ כְּאַחַ֣ד מִמֶּ֔נּוּ לָדַ֖עַת ט֣וֹב וָרָ֑ע וְעַתָּ֣ה פֶּן יִשְׁלַ֣ח יָד֗וֹ וְלָקַח֙ גַּ֚ם מֵעֵ֣ץ הַֽחַיִּ֔ים וְאָכַ֖ל וָחַ֥י לְעֹלָֽם

Then YHWH God said, 'Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil. And now, lest he reach out his hand and also take from the tree of life and eat and live forever...'

Divine deliberation: the knowledge gained now requires exclusion from the tree of lifeוַיֹּאמֶר
The speech interprets the new human condition and immediately turns to its consequence. The man has crossed into experiential knowledge of good and evil, and the unfinished apodosis after פֶּן heightens urgency before the expulsion enacted in the next verses.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand he saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; YHWH God deliberates on the new human condition before the expulsion.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper N · יהוה (H3068)Subjectיהוה (H3068) the Tetragrammaton; the divine speaker in the deliberation.
אֱלֹהִ֗יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; compound name.
הֵ֤ןbeholdpresentative · הֵן (H2005)Presentative particle (drawing attention to the new state)הֵן (H2005) 'behold, lo'; a presentative particle drawing attention to the newly-realized condition of the man.
הָֽאָדָם֙the manart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Subject (of the predicate clause)אָדָם (H120) 'man, Adam'; the articular form pointing to the specific individual.
הָיָה֙has becomeQal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb→ Perfective: completed change of stateהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the perfective marks the realized state — the man has already crossed into a new condition.
כְּאַחַ֣דlike one ofprep כְּ + numeral m sg constr · אֶחָד (H259)Predicate complement (comparative)אֶחָד (H259) 'one'; with כְּ 'like one of'; the divine assessment acknowledges the serpent's claim had some basis.
מִמֶּ֔נּוּfrom usprep מִן + 1cp suffix · מִן (H4480)Partitive prepositional phrase (one of the divine beings)מִן (H4480) 'from'; with 1cp suffix 'from us/one of us'; the plural echoes the divine deliberation of Gen 1:26.
לָדַ֖עַתto knowprep לְ + Qal inf constr · יָדַע (H3045)Purpose infinitive (characterizing the divine prerogative now shared)→ Infinitive construct: purpose — characterizing the new state of knowledgeיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; the knowledge of good and evil is what the man now shares with the divine beings.
ט֣וֹבgoodAdj m sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Direct object (first member of merism)טוֹב (H2896) 'good'; first member of the polar merism.
וָרָ֑עand evilconj וָ + Adj m sg abs · רָע (H7451)Direct object (second member of merism)רָע (H7451) 'evil, bad'; with טוֹב forms the merism for comprehensive moral experience; now possessed by the human pair.
וְעַתָּ֣הand nowconj וְ + adv · עַתָּה (H6258)Temporal conjunction marking urgencyעַתָּה (H6258) 'now'; with וְ the phrase marks a pivot from what is to what must be done; urgent present consequence.
פֶּןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Negative purpose conjunctionפֶּן (H6435) 'lest, otherwise'; introduces the feared consequence that drives the expulsion.
יִשְׁלַ֣חhe reach outQal impf 3ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Verb of the feared consequence clause→ Yiqtol: modal — feared potential actionשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send, stretch out'; used here of the hand reaching out to take.
יָד֗וֹhis handN com sg constr + 3ms suffix · יָד (H3027)Direct object (what would be stretched out)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; with 3ms suffix; the idiom שָׁלַח יָד means 'to reach out the hand to take.'
וְלָקַח֙and takeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Weqatal of consequential sequence→ Weqatal: consequential — the feared next actלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; the weqatal chains the feared taking after the reaching.
גַּ֚םalsoadv · גַּם (H1571)Additive adverbגַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; the word 'also' implies the man has already gained one thing (knowledge); he must not also take immortality.
מֵעֵ֣ץfrom the tree ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · עֵץ (H6086)Partitive prepositional phrase (source of the feared taking)עֵץ (H6086) 'tree'; with prep מִן; from the tree of life.
הַֽחַיִּ֔יםlifeart + N m pl abs · חַיִּים (H2416)Construct chain complementחַיִּים (H2416) 'life'; pl form; the tree of life whose fruit would confer immortality.
וְאָכַ֖לand eatconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · אָכַל (H398)Weqatal of consequential sequence→ Weqatal: consequential — the feared eatingאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the third feared act — taking, then eating, then living forever.
וָחַ֥יand liveconj וָ + Qal weqatal 3ms · חָיָה (H2425)Weqatal of consequential sequence→ Weqatal: consequential — the feared immortalityחָיָה (H2425) 'to live, remain alive'; the ultimate feared outcome: immortality combined with fallen knowledge.
לְעֹלָֽםforeverprep לְ + N m sg abs · עוֹלָם (H5769)Temporal prepositional phrase (duration)עוֹלָם (H5769) 'forever, eternity, age'; the phrase ends the apodosis suspended — the sentence is deliberately left unfinished, heightening the urgency of the expulsion that follows.
23

וַֽיְשַׁלְּחֵ֛הוּ יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים מִגַּן עֵ֑דֶן לַֽעֲבֹד֙ אֶת הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֻקַּ֖ח מִשָּֽׁם

So YHWH God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken.

Narrative consequence: the divine concern of v.22 becomes enacted expulsionוַיְשַׁלְּחֵהוּ
The feared possibility of access to the tree of life is answered immediately by removal from Eden. The man is returned to his earlier vocation of working the ground, but now outside the garden and under the burden announced in the judgment.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַֽיְשַׁלְּחֵ֛הוּand he sent him outconj וַ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms + 3ms suffix · שָׁלַח (H7971)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (divine action answering v.22)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send, dismiss'; Piel intensive 'to send away'; the feared taking of the tree is prevented by expulsion.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper N · יהוה (H3068)Subjectיהוה (H3068) the Tetragrammaton; the one who expels.
אֱלֹהִ֖יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; compound name.
מִגַּןfrom the garden ofprep מִן + N com sg constr · גָּן (H1588)Directional prepositional phrase (place of departure)גָּן (H1588) 'garden'; the man is sent out from Eden's garden.
עֵ֑דֶןEdenproper N · עֵדֶן (H5731)Construct chain complement (name of the garden)עֵדֶן (H5731) 'Eden'; the garden as the place of divine presence and provision; now closed to the man.
לַֽעֲבֹד֙to tillprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָבַד (H5647)Purpose infinitive (reason for expulsion)→ Infinitive construct: purpose — 'in order to till'עָבַד (H5647) 'to work, serve, till'; the man's vocation continues outside Eden but under the burden of the curse.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking הָאֲדָמָה as the definite direct object.
הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔הthe groundart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Direct object (what he is to till)אֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, earth'; the cursed ground he must now work outside Eden.
אֲשֶׁ֥רfrom whichrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (modifying הָאֲדָמָה)אֲשֶׁר (H834) introduces the relative clause linking the man's origin to his post-Eden destination.
לֻקַּ֖חhe was takenPual perf 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: passive — completed original creative actלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; Pual passive 'he was taken'; echoes 2:7 — the man returns to the ground of his origin.
מִשָּֽׁםfrom thereprep מִן + adv · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbial prepositional phraseשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; with מִן 'from there'; the ground from which he was taken is now his home and field.
24

וַיְגָ֖רֶשׁ אֶת הָֽאָדָ֑ם וַיַּשְׁכֵּן֩ מִקֶּ֨דֶם לְגַן עֵ֜דֶן אֶת הַכְּרֻבִ֗ים וְאֵ֨ת לַ֤הַט הַחֶ֨רֶב֙ הַמִּתְהַפֶּ֔כֶת לִשְׁמֹ֕ר אֶת דֶּ֖רֶךְ עֵ֥ץ הַֽחַיִּֽים

And he drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he stationed the cherubim and the flame of the whirling sword to guard the way to the tree of life.

Narrative closure: expulsion is sealed by guarded exclusion from life accessוַיְגָרֶשׁ
The final verse of the narrative intensifies the prior sending out by naming it as driving out and by installing guardians. Eden is not merely left behind; the route back to the tree of life is actively blocked, closing the fall narrative with enforced separation.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַיְגָ֖רֶשׁand he drove outconj וַ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · גָּרַשׁ (H1644)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceגָּרַשׁ (H1644) 'to drive out, expel'; Piel intensive; stronger than שָׁלַח (v.23) — a forcible, definitive expulsion.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking הָאָדָם as the definite direct object.
הָֽאָדָ֑םthe manart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Direct object (the one driven out)אָדָם (H120) 'man, Adam'; the final mention in the expulsion; he is the object of the driving-out.
וַיַּשְׁכֵּן֩and he stationedconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁכַן (H7931)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (second action — stationing the guards)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁכַן (H7931) 'to dwell, settle'; Hiphil causative 'to cause to dwell, station'; YHWH God stations the cherubim as permanent guards.
מִקֶּ֨דֶםto the east ofprep מִן + N m sg abs · קֶדֶם (H6924)Locative prepositional phrase (position of the guards)קֶדֶם (H6924) 'east, front, ancient'; with מִן 'to the east of'; the eastern approach to the garden is the guarded point.
לְגַןof the garden ofprep לְ + N com sg constr · גָּן (H1588)Locative prepositional phrase complementגָּן (H1588) 'garden'; the garden of Eden whose eastern entrance is now guarded.
עֵ֜דֶןEdenproper N · עֵדֶן (H5731)Construct chain complementעֵדֶן (H5731) 'Eden'; the named garden whose access is now barred.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking הַכְּרֻבִים as the definite direct object.
הַכְּרֻבִ֗יםthe cherubimart + N m pl abs · כְּרוּב (H3742)Direct object (first thing stationed)כְּרוּב (H3742) 'cherub'; supernatural guardian beings associated with the divine throne and holy spaces in the Hebrew Bible.
וְאֵ֨תand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi; here joined with the conjunction for the second direct object.
לַ֤הַטthe flame ofN m sg constr · לַהַט (H3858)Direct object (construct chain head — second thing stationed)לַהַט (H3858) 'flame, flashing'; the blazing quality of the sword; the flame may be the sword's attribute or a separate phenomenon.
הַחֶ֨רֶב֙the swordart + N f sg abs · חֶרֶב (H2719)Construct chain complementחֶרֶב (H2719) 'sword'; the whirling flaming sword; together with the cherubim it constitutes the barrier.
הַמִּתְהַפֶּ֔כֶתwhirlingart + Hitpael ptc f sg abs · הָפַךְ (H2015)Attributive participle (modifying הַחֶרֶב)→ Participle: durative — continuously turning/whirlingהָפַךְ (H2015) 'to turn, overturn'; Hitpael reflexive/iterative 'turning itself repeatedly'; the sword's perpetual motion makes it an omnidirectional barrier.
לִשְׁמֹ֕רto guardprep לְ + Qal inf constr · שָׁמַר (H8104)Purpose infinitive→ Infinitive construct: purpose — 'in order to guard'שָׁמַר (H8104) 'to guard, keep, watch'; the same verb used for the man's original charge in the garden (2:15); now the cherubim do what the man failed to do.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking דֶּרֶךְ עֵץ הַחַיִּים as the definite direct object.
דֶּ֖רֶךְthe way toN com sg constr · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Direct object (construct chain head)דֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, path, road'; the specific route of access to the tree of life.
עֵ֥ץthe tree ofN m sg constr · עֵץ (H6086)Construct chain memberעֵץ (H6086) 'tree'; the tree whose access is now permanently barred.
הַֽחַיִּֽיםlifeart + N m pl abs · חַיִּים (H2416)Construct chain complementחַיִּים (H2416) 'life'; the tree of life; the chapter closes with life barred and the human pair exiled — life continues east of Eden, but the primal sanctuary is closed.