But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
What does Genesis 2:17 mean?
Let us never set up our own will against the holy will of God. There was not only liberty allowed to man, in taking the fruits of paradise, but everlasting life made sure to him upon his obedience.
Key themes
Read with
Keep this verse inside Genesis 2:16-17 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Genesis 2:17
But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil,.... Of the name of this tree, and the reasons of it; see Gill on Genesis 2:9 .
Key words
- knowledge
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But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil,.
- evil
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But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil,.
Context in Genesis 2
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Genesis 2 belongs to the early movement of the book, especially the section often described as primeval history from creation to Babel. Genesis opens the whole Bible with creation, fall, flood, Babel, and the long patriarchal story that carries the reader from Eden to Egypt. Read this chapter with the wider themes of creation, fall, and covenant in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
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