Genesis 3:4 Meaning and Explanation
“And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The serpent directly contradicts God, denying that death will follow disobedience.
The Context of Genesis 3:4
The serpent directly contradicts God's warning about the tree's consequences.
What Does Genesis 3:4 Mean?
The serpent's response is stark and direct: it contradicts God's word absolutely. Where God said death would come, the serpent insists it will not. This is the pivotal moment where the woman faces a clear conflict between two testimonies.
The serpent presents itself as having knowledge superior to or different from God's. By denying the consequence, it plants doubt about whether God was telling the truth, or whether God has authority to enforce such a consequence.
Genesis 3:4 in the Original Language
mot (מוּת), surely die — emphatic form meaning to die without doubt; the serpent negates this certainty
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 3:4
What does Genesis 3:4 mean?
The serpent directly contradicts God, denying that death will follow disobedience.
What is the context of Genesis 3:4?
The serpent directly contradicts God's warning about the tree's consequences.