And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

GENESIS 3:11KJV
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Genesis 3:11 (KJV)

What does Genesis 3:11 mean?

Genesis 3:11 shows God questioning Adam about how he realized he was naked, directly linking Adam’s new awareness to disobedience. God asks if Adam has eaten from the tree that was forbidden, making it clear that something has changed because of Adam’s actions.

In this scene, God is speaking to Adam right after Adam and Eve have eaten from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The question “Who told thee that thou wast naked?” points out that Adam’s awareness of his nakedness is a result of something new—his disobedience. God’s follow-up question connects Adam’s changed state directly to the command He had given, highlighting the seriousness of breaking that command.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 3:11

  • “naked” (עֵירֹם, `eyrom): This word means unclothed or exposed. Here, it signals not just physical nakedness but a new sense of vulnerability and shame that Adam did not have before.
  • “eaten” (אָכַל, 'akal): This is the same word used earlier for eating in the command and the act itself, tying the act of eating directly to the consequences now unfolding.
  • “tree” (עֵץ, `ets): The specific mention of the tree reminds the reader that this was not just any tree, but the one God had singled out as forbidden, emphasizing the gravity of the choice.

Why Genesis 3:11 matters

  • Genesis 3:11 clarifies that Adam’s awareness of his nakedness is not natural but a direct result of disobedience, underlining the change that sin brings.
  • The verse shows God’s approach as questioning rather than immediately accusing, giving Adam a chance to respond and reveal his heart.
  • This moment connects the earlier command with its consequences, helping the reader see how a single act of disobedience leads to a fundamental change in humanity’s relationship with God and with themselves.

Where else these words appear

“naked” Hebrew H5903 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
  • Ezekiel 16:7 I have caused thee to multiply as the bud of the field, and thou hast increased and waxen great, and thou art come to excellent ornaments: thy breasts are fashioned, and thine hair is grown, whereas thou wast naked and bare.
  • Ezekiel 18:7 And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment;

“Who” Hebrew H4310 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 19:12 And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place:
  • Exodus 16:3 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.
  • Judges 20:18 And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up first.

“not” Hebrew H1115 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 4:15 And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
  • Numbers 14:16 Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness.
  • Job 14:12 So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.