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

GENESIS 3:21KJV
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Genesis 3:21 (KJV)

What does Genesis 3:21 mean?

Genesis 3:21 describes how the LORD God made garments from animal skins for Adam and his wife and clothed them. This verse shows God providing for Adam and Eve after they became aware of their nakedness following their disobedience.

In this scene, the LORD God (the personal name for God, speaking and acting directly) responds to Adam and his wife’s new situation after eating from the tree of knowledge. Instead of leaving them exposed or only with their own makeshift coverings, God makes more durable clothing for them. This act comes right after the consequences of their actions have been explained, showing a moment of care and provision even as they face the results of their choices.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 3:21

  • "coats" (כָּתְנוֹת, kəthonot): This word refers to tunics or long shirts, not just simple coverings. It suggests that God provided substantial clothing, not just a token gesture.
  • "skins" (עוֹר, ‘or): This word means animal hides. The verse is clear that the clothing was made from animal skins, which is different from the fig leaves Adam and his wife used earlier.
  • "clothed them" (וַיַּלְבִּשֵׁם, wayyalbishem): This verb means to dress or clothe someone. The action is personal—God is the one who clothes Adam and his wife, not just giving them materials but actually providing for their need.

Why Genesis 3:21 matters

  • Genesis 3:21 clarifies that God’s response to Adam and his wife’s shame was not only disciplinary but also caring, providing for their basic needs even after their disobedience.
  • The verse highlights a shift from human attempts to cover shame (using leaves) to God’s more lasting provision, which connects to themes of grace and care throughout the Bible.
  • This moment marks a turning point in the story, showing the consequences of the fall but also God’s continued involvement with humanity, setting the stage for the rest of Genesis.

Where else these words appear

“coats” Hebrew H3801 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 37:3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.
  • Exodus 29:5 And thou shalt take the garments, and put upon Aaron the coat, and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breastplate, and gird him with the curious girdle of the ephod:
  • 2 Samuel 13:18 And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king's daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.

“skins” Hebrew H5785 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 27:16 And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck:
  • Leviticus 13:18 The flesh also, in which, even in the skin thereof, was a boil, and is healed,
  • Leviticus 15:17 And every garment, and every skin, whereon is the seed of copulation, shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the even.

“them” Hebrew H3847 · used in 103 verses

  • Genesis 27:15 And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son:
  • 2 Chronicles 5:12 Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)
  • Isaiah 49:18 Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the LORD, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a bride doeth.