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Genesis 3:1

וְהַנָּחָשׁ֙
nâchâsh
and the — a snake (from its hiss) הָיָ֣ה
hâyâh
to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary) עָר֔וּם
ʻârûwm
cunning (usually in a bad sense) מִכֹּל֙
kôl
from — properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense) חַיַּ֣ת
chay
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה
sâdeh
the — a field (as flat) אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc. עָשָׂ֖ה
ʻâsâh
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יְהוָ֣ה
Yᵉhôvâh
(the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִ֑ים
ʼĕlôhîym
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙
ʼâmar
and — to say (used with great latitude) אֶל
ʼêl
near, with or among; often in general, to הָ֣אִשָּׁ֔ה
ʼishshâh
the — a woman אַ֚ף
ʼaph
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though כִּֽי
kîy
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed אָמַ֣ר
ʼâmar
to say (used with great latitude) אֱלֹהִ֔ים
ʼĕlôhîym
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative לֹ֣א
lôʼ
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles תֹֽאכְל֔וּ
ʼâkal
to eat (literally or figuratively) מִכֹּ֖ל
kôl
from — properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense) עֵ֥ץ
ʻêts
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) הַגָּֽן
gan
the — a garden (as fenced)
Genesis 3:1 · Masoretic Text (WLC)
AMPLIFIED · 1 of 3
Now the serpent was more
Wordplay & Root Pattern
The Hebrew word for the serpent's "subtlety" (arum) is a near-homonym of the word describing Adam and Eve as "naked" (arummim) in the verse …crafty
Wordplay & Root Pattern
The Hebrew word for the serpent's "subtlety" (arum) is a near-homonym of the word describing Adam and Eve as "naked" (arummim) in the verse … (subtle, skilled in deceit) than any living creature
Wordplay & Root Pattern
The Hebrew word for the serpent's "subtlety" (arum) is a near-homonym of the word describing Adam and Eve as "naked" (arummim) in the verse … of the field which the Lord God had made. And the serpent (Satan) said to the woman, “Can it really be that God has said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” [Rev 12:9-11]
Amplified® Bible Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631 All rights reserved. http://www.lockman.org
Rabbi's unlock
◆Genesis 3:1New

The serpent's opening move isn't a lie — it's a question: "Did God really say...?" Up to this point in the story, God alone has defined what counts as good. The question doesn't attack that arrangement directly; it just quietly opens the possibility that the humans might be allowed to check God's definition against their own judgment. That's the whole temptation in miniature, before a single bite is taken.

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↔ Rabbi noticed a connection

"Naked" (arummim) — the near-homonym this verse's "subtle" (arum) is playing against.

Revelation 12:9 finally names this serpent explicitly - "the devil and Satan" - the figure left unidentified in Eden getting his name at the Bible's close.

Genesis 3:1 · WEB

Now the serpent was more subtle than any animal of the field which Yahweh God had made. He said to the woman, “Has God really said, ‘You shall not eat of any tree of the garden?’”

Genesis 2:25 · WEB

The man and his wife were both naked, and they were not ashamed.

Revelation 12:9 · WEB

The great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

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Today's memory verse · from this session
“Now the serpent was more crafty (subtle, skilled in deceit) than any living creature of the field which the Lord God had made. And the serpent (Satan) said to the woman, “Can it really be that God has said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” [Rev 12:9-11]”
Genesis 3:1
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