Eve is a well-known biblical figure. Surprisingly, she’s only mentioned by name four times in the Bible, twice in Genesis and twice in the New Testament.
Sometimes called the mother of humanity, she is best known for picking the fruit God specifically prohibited—and giving some to her husband.
Eve often receives the heaviest criticism for disobeying God. Adam, however, is likewise culpable. He could have—and should have—put a stop to eating the forbidden fruit. More contemptible is the serpent, who lies to seduce her into disobeying God.
Because of their actions, all three—Adam, Eve, and the serpent—suffer consequences, which they pass on to future generations, including ours.
Looking specifically at Eve, she receives three punishments for her disobedience: pain in childbirth, a desire to control her husband, and him ruling over her.
So before Adam and Eve messed up, we can assume things must have been the opposite for women: childbirth would have been easy, women did not seek to control their husbands, and men did not rule over their wives.
The judgment Eve receives transfers forward to future generations, with women trying to control men and men wanting to rule women. However, in the beginning, there is neither controlling nor ruling. There is equality, with God intending men and women to live as equals.
Do we try to control those around us? Do we let others rule over us? How might God want us to change?
[Discover more about Eve in Genesis 2–4, 2 Corinthians 11:3, and 1 Timothy 2:13.]
Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.
A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.
