Genesis 2:16-17 & Genesis 3:22

[Tong2020]

Gen. 2:16-17
16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

God’s commandment to the man written in Gen. 2:16-17 strongly suggest that man was not created with the knowledge of good and evil, but is a creature kind that is capable of having such knowledge.

The passage also clearly indicates that God did not want for man to have such knowledge, in that He forbid them from eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The reason stated as to why God does not want them to eat of said tree is that because such will surely bring them death ~ man will surely die.

Now, consider the following scriptures:

Genesis 3:22 Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”—

That was what became of man when the man had eaten of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil ~ man has become like God, to know good and evil.

It is obvious that God have knowledge of good and evil. So that, one would easily see that having such could not be a bad thing. However, the commandment in Gen. 2:16-17 suggest otherwise for man.

What are your thoughts on this matter?

Tong
R1371

 

[Tong2020]

My thoughts on this is that the command in Genesis 2:16-17 tells me something about the nature of man, as created. That the creature kind of Adam, that is, mankind, is capable to having knowledge, even the knowledge of good and evil. And since the commandment was only given by God to the man, and to no other living creature, of all the living creatures then, I am inclined to believe that only man have this nature. A nature that sets him apart from the others and renders him unique among other living creatures.

Genesis 3:22 tells me more about this nature of man, about this capability of man. That man is capable of having knowledge of good and evil, which Genesis 3:22 says would make man be like God, at least and of course only in that regard.

Now, there is also another thing that Genesis 3:22 tells me about the nature of man. That man is a creature that is capable of living forever. For the passage says “And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”. Come to think of it, this is yet again something that makes him be like God, in this respect.

Genesis 2:16-17 and Genesis 3:22 does not only tells me something about the nature of man, but also about God. More than that God have the knowledge of good and evil, and eternal life, it somehow tells me more about God’s creative intent of mankind, in addition to what is stated in Genesis 1:26-28. That God intends for man to live forever. In Genesis 2:9, we read that there is this tree of life spoken of in Genesis 3:22, that if and when man eats of it, man will live forever. God had not forbidden man to eat of the tree of life, only of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

More thoughts.......

Tong
R1373

 

[Davy]

Gen. 2:16-17
16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

God’s commandment to the man written in Gen. 2:16-17 strongly suggest that man was not created with the knowledge of good and evil, but is a creature kind that is capable of having such knowledge.

The passage also clearly indicates that God did not want for man to have such knowledge, in that He forbid them from eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The reason stated as to why God does not want them to eat of said tree is that because such will surely bring them death ~ man will surely die.

Now, consider the following scriptures:

Genesis 3:22 Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”—

That was what became of man when the man had eaten of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil ~ man has become like God, to know good and evil.

It is obvious that God have knowledge of good and evil. So that, one would easily see that having such could not be a bad thing. However, the commandment in Gen. 2:16-17 suggest otherwise for man.

What are your thoughts on this matter?

Tong
R1371

It may take some time for your Bible study to come to more fruition on this subject, but eventually you will discover that the condition God created Adam and Eve in the flesh was a type of setup for failure towards sin. In Galatians 3:22, Apostle Paul tells us that the Scriptures have concluded us all under sin, so that Salvation would be to those who believe (on The Father through Jesus). Sin had... to come, otherwise there would be no purpose for Lord Jesus being born in the flesh to die on the cross for remission of sin. And Adam and Eve being in the flesh, with all its lusts, that was enough to cause the first sin (in the flesh). So those who believe we can be perfect without sin in the flesh have not understand what God's Word teaches about it, especially not what Apostle Paul revealed in Romans 7 about the battle between our spirit vs. our flesh.

Some preachers wrongly think that God's future Salvation in the world to come is going to be like the state Adam and Eve were in before they sinned, like in a state of innocence in flesh. But that's not how God's Word reveals future eternal Life in Christ Jesus is going to be. It will not be about a new flesh body, but a "spiritual body", the body that Apostle Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 15.

 

[Tong2020]

.... more thoughts....

After the man had eaten of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Genesis 3:22 said that man became like God, to know good and evil. It says “the man”, referring to the creature kind, as it does to both Adam and Eve. With that, it suggest that, the effect of such act of Adam affected not only Adam, and Eve for that matter, but even his posterity, that is, all mankind. And it goes as well then with mankind, that they will surely die.

As I read and consider Gen 2:16-17 and Gen.3:22, and continue to meditate on it, at least a couple of questions comes up:

1) is there something wrong in becoming like God (to know good and evil)?

2) how is it that they will surely die?

Tong
R1391

 

[Tong2020]

It may take some time for your Bible study to come to more fruition on this subject, but eventually you will discover that the condition God created Adam and Eve in the flesh was a type of setup for failure towards sin. In Galatians 3:22, Apostle Paul tells us that the Scriptures have concluded us all under sin, so that Salvation would be to those who believe (on The Father through Jesus). Sin had... to come, otherwise there would be no purpose for Lord Jesus being born in the flesh to die on the cross for remission of sin. And Adam and Eve being in the flesh, with all its lusts, that was enough to cause the first sin (in the flesh). So those who believe we can be perfect without sin in the flesh have not understand what God's Word teaches about it, especially not what Apostle Paul revealed in Romans 7 about the battle between our spirit vs. our flesh.

Some preachers wrongly think that God's future Salvation in the world to come is going to be like the state Adam and Eve were in before they sinned, like in a state of innocence in flesh. But that's not how God's Word reveals future eternal Life in Christ Jesus is going to be. It will not be about a new flesh body, but a "spiritual body", the body that Apostle Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 15.

Hi Davy. Thank you for sharing your thoughts...

<<<eventually you will discover that the condition God created Adam and Eve in the flesh was a type of setup for failure towards sin.>>>
Well, we’ll see if it comes to that.

Tong
R1392

 

[BarneyFife]

It may take some time for your Bible study to come to more fruition on this subject, but eventually you will discover that the condition God created Adam and Eve in the flesh was a type of setup for failure towards sin.

And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. (Genesis 1:31)

 

[Davy]

Hi Davy. Thank you for sharing your thoughts...

<<<eventually you will discover that the condition God created Adam and Eve in the flesh was a type of setup for failure towards sin.>>>
Well, we’ll see if it comes to that.

Tong
R1392

One will have an impossible time trying to prove Jesus came to die on the cross for the remission of sins if... Adam and Eve had not sinned first, and that sin imparted to all born in the flesh.

 

[Tong2020]

One will have an impossible time trying to prove Jesus came to die on the cross for the remission of sins if... Adam and Eve had not sinned first, and that sin imparted to all born in the flesh.

Thank you Davy for your thoughts.

But if I may request of you, if you don’t mind, can you share your thoughts on the two questions in post #4?

Thank you in advance.

Tong
R1407

 

[Davy]

Thank you Davy for your thoughts.

But if I may request of you, if you don’t mind, can you share your thoughts on the two questions in post #4?

Thank you in advance.

Tong
R1407

Certainly...

You said:
"As I read and consider Gen 2:16-17 and Gen.3:22, and continue to meditate on it, at least a couple of questions comes up:

1) is there something wrong in becoming like God (to know good and evil)?

2) how is it that they will surely die?"


1. Yes, it was wrong, because of the following earlier Gen.3 context...

Gen 3:4-5
4 And the serpent said unto the woman, 'Ye shall not surely die:

5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.'
KJV

What was the sin that Satan did against God in the beginning? Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14 reveals (via parable) that Lucifer claimed he would sit in God's place, and be like The Most High. Satan's original job was as a cherub that covereth, which means a cherub guard over the Mercy Seat. Satan originally was perfect in following God, but then he coveted God's Throne for himself. That is the temptation to sin that he tempted Eve with, eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil to become 'your own God'. It was a lie, because no one can become GOD.

Yet it does involve understanding eternal things of The Spirit with taking of the Tree of Life, which is why God removed it with His Eden off of this earth into the hidden spiritual dimension that exists behind a symbolic veil today. There's 2 different movements today which expand man's connection to the eternal. The correct one is through Faith on The Father through His Son Jesus Christ and given understanding and spiritual gifts via The Holy Spirit. The other movement is through Satan and his host of the occult initiate fraternities that teach to penetrate the spiritual realm against God's will, which ends up sending one's soul to hell.


2. God told them that in the 'day' they disobeyed, and ate of the tree in the midst of the Garden, that day they would die. And it came to pass, if you understand that a day to God is like a thousand years (2 Peter 3:8). Adam lived to be 930 years old, which was within that thousand years as a day. So he literally died within the 'day' he sinned against God, using God's time reckoning.

But did Adam's spirit-soul die? No. The sin in Eden by Adam and Eve was about flesh death, not death of one's soul with spirit at the "second death".

 

[Tong2020]

Certainly...

You said:
"As I read and consider Gen 2:16-17 and Gen.3:22, and continue to meditate on it, at least a couple of questions comes up:

1) is there something wrong in becoming like God (to know good and evil)?

2) how is it that they will surely die?"


1. Yes, it was wrong, because of the following earlier Gen.3 context...

Gen 3:4-5
4 And the serpent said unto the woman, 'Ye shall not surely die:

5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.'
KJV

What was the sin that Satan did against God in the beginning? Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14 reveals (via parable) that Lucifer claimed he would sit in God's place, and be like The Most High. Satan's original job was as a cherub that covereth, which means a cherub guard over the Mercy Seat. Satan originally was perfect in following God, but then he coveted God's Throne for himself. That is the temptation to sin that he tempted Eve with, eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil to become 'your own God'. It was a lie, because no one can become GOD.

Yet it does involve understanding eternal things of The Spirit with taking of the Tree of Life, which is why God removed it with His Eden off of this earth into the hidden spiritual dimension that exists behind a symbolic veil today. There's 2 different movements today which expand man's connection to the eternal. The correct one is through Faith on The Father through His Son Jesus Christ and given understanding and spiritual gifts via The Holy Spirit. The other movement is through Satan and his host of the occult initiate fraternities that teach to penetrate the spiritual realm against God's will, which ends up sending one's soul to hell.


2. God told them that in the 'day' they disobeyed, and ate of the tree in the midst of the Garden, that day they would die. And it came to pass, if you understand that a day to God is like a thousand years (2 Peter 3:8). Adam lived to be 930 years old, which was within that thousand years as a day. So he literally died within the 'day' he sinned against God, using God's time reckoning.

But did Adam's spirit-soul die? No. The sin in Eden by Adam and Eve was about flesh death, not death of one's soul with spirit at the "second death".

Interesting thoughts you have there.

Let me say a few comments/questions:

1. Do you believe in what the serpent said to the woman in Gen.3:4-5 that somehow is the basis of your answer?

2. The way I see it, I don’t quite see how it answers the question HOW is it that they will surely die? Perhaps I need to clarify. By HOW, I don’t mean to refer to their manner of death nor to how they are said to have died. Rather, How is it that their having of the knowledge of good and evil is certain death to them.

Tong
R1409

 

[Davy]

Interesting thoughts you have there.

Let me say a few comments/questions:

1. Do you believe in what the serpent said to the woman in Gen.3:4-5 that somehow is the basis of your answer?

What? Are you trying to ask if I believe what the devil said about becoming a god is true? NO! of course not! Evidently, you didn't understand what I said about no one can become GOD.

2. The way I see it, I don’t quite see how it answers the question HOW is it that they will surely die? Perhaps I need to clarify. By HOW, I don’t mean to refer to their manner of death nor to how they are said to have died. Rather, How is it that their having of the knowledge of good and evil is certain death to them.

That's not what brought their death though, and that's what you need to understand. What brought their death was the sin of DISOBEYING God's commandment.

 

[Tong2020]

What? Are you trying to ask if I believe what the devil said about becoming a god is true? NO! of course not! Evidently, you didn't understand what I said about no one can become GOD.

I am sorry. It gave me the impression that for you, relative to my question, to know good and evil is wrong, and suggested by those context verses. So I asked the question to clarify.

Much as you say then and which you repeat here, that no one can become GOD, I don’t see where that applies to my question. If there is any that is in the question that is close to that is to become LIKE God.

That's not what brought their death though, and that's what you need to understand. What brought their death was the sin of DISOBEYING God's commandment.

Well, that is how I view it. That view came to me, naturally I would say. But, as I read and study the words of God, there was a sudden urge in me to study the said passage. I don’t know why. And so this thread.

Tong
R1422

 

[Tong2020]

... more thoughts....

1) is there something wrong in becoming like God (to know good and evil)?

2) how is it that they will surely die?

Before I decided to deeply meditate on Gen. 2:16-17, those questions never crossed my mind. But, as I read and study the words of God, there was in me a sudden and persistent urge to study the said passage, as though there is more to it than is on the surface and what knowledge I already have about it.

Before embarking on this journey, my view of the commandment is simply that it was part of His plan and nothing more really. And that the part that says they will surely die is as the wage of sin, that is their transgression of the commandment and disobedience. And now that I am led to meditate on it more deeply, I must start with an open mind regarding it.

Gen. 2:16-17
16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

In my mediation, the certain death result stated in the commandment seems to be a sure end result to the man, which is, due to having the knowledge of good and evil, more than it is the result of disobedience. It sounds and comes to me as revealed prophecy more than the punishment for sin.

Let me explain how such view came to me. The main consideration being is in the giving of such kind of commandment by God to the man. When I look at it, I asked, what is evil in eating or act of eating? None that I know. I know eating to be an amoral act. I asked, what is evil about the knowledge of good and evil? None that I know. What I know is that God himself have such knowledge.

So, the question comes up, why then did God forbid them to have this knowledge of good and evil, that He commanded of them not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? This question gives a very strong impression to me that there is in the commandment more than I already take it to be, as the plan of God and that the certain death is the penalty for their disobedience.

So, I moved on to consider the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The fact that it was planted by God suggest to me that the knowledge of good and evil is good and not evil. That is without a doubt, for God have the knowledge of good and evil.

Now we know that God’s intent for man is to be in His likeness, in His image. We know that because, for one, we are told in Genesis 1 that He created man in His likeness, in His image. There are many other places in scriptures which tells us so. But I think that would be enough at this point to establish the fact. But what do we know about that image? The answer can be found in Jesus. For Jesus is man who is in the image of God, even the very image of God. Looking at Jesus and comparing Him to Adam, one thing that is in Jesus’ humanity that was not in Adam was the knowledge of good and evil. I ask myself, why did God not create Adam with the knowledge of good and evil? The question seems to help me understand why such commandment in Gen. 2:16-17 was given.

....to be continued....

Tong
R1423

 

[Rocky Wiley]

It is obvious that God have knowledge of good and evil. So that, one would easily see that having such could not be a bad thing. However, the commandment in Gen. 2:16-17 suggest otherwise for man.

What are your thoughts on this matter?

Tong
R1371

What did Eve do?
She had sex with the Evil one. Cain was the result of that sexual act.
1Jn 3:12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
If one would follow the lineage of Cain, you would find that they were the scribes and Pharisees that Jesus had to watch out for as he walked here on earth.

The children of these scribes and Pharisees are still here today!

 

[BarneyFife]

... more thoughts....

1) is there something wrong in becoming like God (to know good and evil)?

2) how is it that they will surely die?

Before I decided to deeply meditate on Gen. 2:16-17, those questions never crossed my mind. But, as I read and study the words of God, there was in me a sudden and persistent urge to study the said passage, as though there is more to it than is on the surface and what knowledge I already have about it.

Before embarking on this journey, my view of the commandment is simply that it was part of His plan and nothing more really. And that the part that says they will surely die is as the wage of sin, that is their transgression of the commandment and disobedience. And now that I am led to meditate on it more deeply, I must start with an open mind regarding it.

Gen. 2:16-17
16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

In my mediation, the certain death result stated in the commandment seems to be a sure end result to the man, which is, due to having the knowledge of good and evil, more than it is the result of disobedience. It sounds and comes to me as revealed prophecy more than the punishment for sin.

Let me explain how such view came to me. The main consideration being is in the giving of such kind of commandment by God to the man. When I look at it, I asked, what is evil in eating or act of eating? None that I know. I know eating to be an amoral act. I asked, what is evil about the knowledge of good and evil? None that I know. What I know is that God himself have such knowledge.

So, the question comes up, why then did God forbid them to have this knowledge of good and evil, that He commanded of them not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? This question gives a very strong impression to me that there is in the commandment more than I already take it to be, as the plan of God and that the certain death is the penalty for their disobedience.

So, I moved on to consider the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The fact that it was planted by God suggest to me that the knowledge of good and evil is good and not evil. That is without a doubt, for God have the knowledge of good and evil.

Now we know that God’s intent for man is to be in His likeness, in His image. We know that because, for one, we are told in Genesis 1 that He created man in His likeness, in His image. There are many other places in scriptures which tells us so. But I think that would be enough at this point to establish the fact. But what do we know about that image? The answer can be found in Jesus. For Jesus is man who is in the image of God, even the very image of God. Looking at Jesus and comparing Him to Adam, one thing that is in Jesus’ humanity that was not in Adam was the knowledge of good and evil. I ask myself, why did God not create Adam with the knowledge of good and evil? The question seems to help me understand why such commandment in Gen. 2:16-17 was given.

....to be continued....

Tong
R1423

You are being carried away with nonsensical speculation. You say there is more to the Genesis 2:16-17 passage than meets the eye. What if there isn't? And if there is, how do you know there isn't more to the other passages that you're using to support your theory than meets the eye? You are engaging in parley with the great deceiver and he will win every time. Stick to the plain Word. It's our only safety.

 

[Tong2020]

You are being carried away with nonsensical speculation. You say there is more to the Genesis 2:16-17 passage than meets the eye. What if there isn't? And if there is, how do you know there isn't more to the other passages that you're using to support your theory than meets the eye? You are engaging in parley with the great deceiver and he will win every time. Stick to the plain Word. It's our only safety.

Thank you for your comment.

<<<You say there is more to the Genesis 2:16-17 passage than meets the eye>>>

That’s not what I said sir. Please read carefully. People might be misled.

<<<What if there isn’t?>>>

Then there isn’t. No problem.

<<<And if there is, how do you know there isn't more to the other passages that you're using to support your theory than meets the eye?>>>

I depend and have faith in the Spirit who leads me.

Tong
R1427

 

[Tong2020]

What did Eve do?
She had sex with the Evil one. Cain was the result of that sexual act.
1Jn 3:12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
If one would follow the lineage of Cain, you would find that they were the scribes and Pharisees that Jesus had to watch out for as he walked here on earth.

The children of these scribes and Pharisees are still here today!

This is the truth about Cain.

Genesis 4:1Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the LORD.”

Anyway, thanks for your post.

Tong
R1428

 

[BarneyFife]

<<<You say there is more to the Genesis 2:16-17 passage than meets the eye>>>

That’s not what I said sir. Please read carefully. People might be misled.

Then what does this mean?

Before I decided to deeply meditate on Gen. 2:16-17, those questions never crossed my mind. But, as I read and study the words of God, there was in me a sudden and persistent urge to study the said passage, as though there is more to it than is on the surface and what knowledge I already have about it.

 

[Tong2020]

Tong2020 said: ↑
Before I decided to deeply meditate on Gen. 2:16-17, those questions never crossed my mind. But, as I read and study the words of God, there was in me a sudden and persistent urge to study the said passage, as though there is more to it than is on the surface and what knowledge I already have about it.

Then what does this mean?

AS THOUGH there is more to it.....

Different from saying

There is more to it....

Tong
R1431

 

[Rocky Wiley]

This is the truth about Cain.

Genesis 4:1Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the LORD.”

Anyway, thanks for your post.

Tong
R1428

She bore Cain, she was the mother, it doesn't say Adam was the father. In fact the bible says directly that Cain was of the wicked one.
Have you not heard of other women having twins that did not have the same father? Check it out.