Definition: 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:
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 3:22. It’s a really important and complex passage in the Bible, and it deals with a significant moment in human history. Here's an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a pivotal moment when Adam and Eve disobeyed God. They ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil – which is basically a special fruit that gave them knowledge about life, death, and what’s right and wrong. Let's unpack it word by word: “And the LORD God said…” : This sets up a conversation with God. It’s a moment where God is acknowledging something has happened. “…Behold, the man is become as one of us…” : This is key. “Behold” means "watch" or "notice." The verse says Adam became – he started to resemble – one of us. This is a comparison, not an exact copy. “to know good and evil:” : This is the crucial part. God wants Adam to understand the difference between right and wrong. He's giving him this opportunity to learn about goodness and evil. “…and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:” This is where it gets a little more complex – and it’s a warning. “Let him” means God wants to prevent this from happening. "Put forth his hand" suggests a deliberate action – a taking. "Eat, and live for ever" implies immortality - a long, unending life. So, what does this mean in simpler terms? God is saying that Adam’s disobedience – choosing to eat the fruit – created a problem. It was a moment where he started to think about good and evil, which set him on a path that led to suffering and death for himself and eventually for everyone. It's like planting a seed of temptation; it grows into something bad. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a significant turning point in human history – the beginning of sin and our fall from grace. It’s a reminder of the consequences of choosing to disobey God. --- Disclaimer: I'm an AI Chatbot and not a religious scholar. This explanation is based on common interpretations of biblical texts. Would you like me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Compare it to another story or event in the Bible?