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 3:22KJV
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Genesis 3:22 (KJV)

What does Genesis 3:22 mean?

Genesis 3:22 describes God noticing that the man (Adam) has become like one of the divine beings in knowing good and evil, and expressing concern that Adam might also eat from the tree of life and live forever. This verse shows a turning point where God decides to prevent humans from gaining immortality after gaining moral knowledge.

In this scene, the LORD God is speaking, likely to other divine beings or as a way of expressing deliberation. The context is right after Adam and Eve have eaten from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, disobeying God's command. God recognizes that humans now have a new kind of understanding and takes steps to limit their access to eternal life.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 3:22

  • LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the personal name for God, emphasizing His direct involvement in the story and His authority over the situation.
  • know (יָדַע, yada‘): This word means to know intimately or experientially. Here, it highlights that humans now have firsthand experience of both good (טוֹב, tov) and evil (רַע, ra‘), not just theoretical knowledge.
  • life (חַי, ḥay): The word for "life" here refers to ongoing, unending life. The concern is that eating from the tree of life (עֵץ הַחַיִּים, ‘etz haḥayim) would grant immortality, which God now wants to prevent.

Why Genesis 3:22 matters

  • Genesis 3:22 clarifies that the main issue is not just disobedience, but that humans now possess a kind of knowledge that makes them more like divine beings, raising new concerns about their potential.
  • The verse shows that immortality was not part of humanity’s state after the fall; God actively intervenes to prevent humans from living forever in their fallen condition.
  • This verse connects to the larger story by explaining why Adam and Eve are barred from Eden, setting up the need for redemption and the unfolding relationship between God and humanity.

Where else these words appear

“Behold” Hebrew H2005 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 29:7 And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them.
  • Leviticus 10:18 Behold, the blood of it was not brought in within the holy place: ye should indeed have eaten it in the holy place, as I commanded.
  • Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

“live” Hebrew H2425 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 5:5 And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.
  • Numbers 21:8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
  • Nehemiah 6:11 And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.