Definition: Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire [shall be] to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 3:16. It's a really important and complex passage in the Bible that speaks about the beginning of sin and the consequences for humanity. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse describes God’s plan to introduce suffering into the world, specifically focusing on Adam and Eve. It essentially says God is going to cause pain and difficulty for them – and for all of us – because of their disobedience. Let's look at it piece by piece: “Unto the woman…” : This refers to Eve. “…he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception.” : God tells Eve that she will experience significant pain and a difficult pregnancy. He’s promising her a lot of sadness and challenges related to childbirth. It's not just a little bit of heartache; it's going to be a great amount of suffering. “In sorrow thou shalt bring forth children…” : This is the key part. God tells Eve that she will bear a child, but this child will be born with a painful and difficult destiny. “…and thy desire [shall] be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.” : This is where it gets really significant. God says that Eve’s desire for her husband – their love and connection – will become a source of conflict and power imbalance. He intends for the man to take control of her, essentially making him the head of the family. What's the Big Meaning? This verse is often interpreted as the beginning of what we call "the Fall" in the story of Genesis. It’s a moment where humanity turns away from God and begins to make choices that lead to suffering and division. It highlights: Free Will: Humans are given the ability to choose, but this choice leads to problems. The Problem of Sin: The verse establishes a fundamental problem – sin ( disobeying God) causes pain and injustice. God’s Justice: It shows that God is just and will hold people accountable for their choices. Important Note: This is a complex passage, and there are different interpretations among theologians and biblical scholars. However, the core message remains: disobedience leads to suffering, and it's a crucial reminder of our relationship with God and each other. --- Resources if you want to learn more: Bible Gateway: [https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/verses/Genesis%3A16](https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/verses/Genesis%3A16) GotQuestions.org: [https://www.gotquestions.org/Genesis-3-16.html](https://www.gotquestions.org/Genesis-3-16.html) Would you like me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Discuss its significance within the larger story of Genesis? Compare it to another Bible passage?