Genesis 3

Jehovah

Jehovah — the unchangeable One, the eternal I AM (rendered LORD)

And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. Genesis 3:8–13

After the Fall, the LORD God comes looking for Adam and Eve and calls to them. God seeks the lost even when they hide.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · another scripture interprets it of Him

• a parallel account in Moses 4:14-19 — The same scene in the Book of Moses.

Seed of the Woman

Seed of the Woman — the descendant of Eve (born of Mary) who would crush Satan

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Genesis 3:15

This is the first prophecy of the Savior. A descendant of Eve would crush Satan's head (a fatal blow), while Satan would only bruise His heel, which points to Christ's suffering and death that could not defeat Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it · a traditional type, cited

• a parallel account in Moses 4:21 — 'he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.'
• alluded to by Romans 16:20 — 'the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.'
• fulfilled by Hebrews 2:14 — Through death Christ destroys 'him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.'
• alluded to by Isaiah 53:10 — 'it pleased the LORD to bruise him' — the Messiah bruised (footnote note15_d on 'bruise').

Covering of the Atonement

Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. Genesis 3:21

Fig leaves were their own covering; the LORD God Himself provided coats of skin, likely from an animal's life. It is widely taught as a figure of the Atonement, the covering Christ provides for our sins.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a traditional type, cited

• a parallel account in Moses 4:27 — 'did I, the Lord God, make coats of skins, and clothed them.'

Only Begotten

Only Begotten — the only Son born of the Father in the flesh

And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Genesis 3:22

'One of us' again shows more than one divine Being. The Book of Moses records that the Lord God said this to His Only Begotten.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it · another scripture interprets it of Him

• interpreted by Moses 4:28 — 'I, the Lord God, said unto mine Only Begotten: Behold, the man is become as one of us.'

Tree of Life

So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. Genesis 3:24

The way back to the tree of life was guarded so Adam and Eve would not live forever in their sins. Alma teaches this gave mankind a time to repent and made room for the plan of redemption, and through Christ the way to the tree of life is opened again.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a traditional type, cited

• quoted by Alma 42:2-3 — Alma restates the verse: 'he placed at the east end of the garden of Eden, cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the tree of life.'
• quoted by Alma 12:21 — 'God placed cherubim and a flaming sword on the east of the garden of Eden, lest our first parents should enter and partake of the fruit of the tree of life.'
• alluded to by Revelation 22:14 — The faithful 'have right to the tree of life.'