Genesis 3:17 Meaning and Explanation
“And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God curses the ground because Adam listened to his wife instead of obeying God's command.
The Context of Genesis 3:17
God addresses Adam's transgression and pronounces a curse on the ground.
What Does Genesis 3:17 Mean?
Adam's specific fault is identified: he hearkened to his wife's voice above God's command. God does not say he should not have listened to his wife, but that he prioritized her voice over obedience to God. This choice has consequences for creation itself.
The ground is cursed 'for thy sake'—because of Adam's transgression. What was given for abundance and sustenance will now resist him. He will labor and toil in sorrow all his life to extract food from the earth. The curse affects not only Adam but the creation itself.
Genesis 3:17 in the Original Language
adamah (אַדָּמָה), ground — the cultivatable earth from which Adam's name derives, now cursed through his disobedience
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 3:17
What does Genesis 3:17 mean?
God curses the ground because Adam listened to his wife instead of obeying God's command.
What is the context of Genesis 3:17?
God addresses Adam's transgression and pronounces a curse on the ground.