“Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21).
Adam and Eve sinned. They became aware of their nakedness (Genesis 3:6-7). They were afraid and tried to hide their nakedness from God.
First, they tried to cover themselves. “They sewed fig leaves together and made themselves covering.” (Genesis 3:7). The NASB reads, “loin coverings.” The ESV reads “loincloths.” The KJV and ASV read “aprons.”
Second, they tried to hide themselves “from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden” (Genesis 3:8). It seems that they did not think that their fig leaves coverings were adequate.
The LORD God made tunics of skin and clothed them (Genesis 3:21). (1) He made them tunics. The KJV and ASV read “coats.” The NASB, ESV, and NIV read “garments.” William W. Grasham writes, “The Hebrew word… refers to a ‘tunic’ that was worn next to a person’s body, often with long or half sleeves and reaching to the knees or ankles (see Genesis 37:3; Exodus 28:4)” (William W. Grasham, Genesis, p.142, Truth For Today Commentary, General Editor Eddie Cloer). (2) He made them tunic of skin. Again, consider the comments of William W. Grasham, “The word for ‘skin’… refers to the hide of an animal (see Genesis 27:16; Leviticus 4:11). Although the author did not explore the theme of sacrifice here, it seems obvious that an animal had to die as a result of Adam and Eve’s sin.” (ibid). Many believe that animal sacrifice began here. Garry Brantley comments, “In Adam and Eve’s case, it might be that the animals from which God made the skins to clothe their naked bodies represented the first sin offering” (Garry Brantley, Reason & Revelation, Vol. 15, No. 3, 1995). Sarah Fallis comments, “Where did God get the skin for the tunics? The scripture doesn’t say but reason would force the conclusion that an animal’s blood was shed to provide those coats of skin… somewhere in the garden, an innocent animal was slain (…a lamb?) to provide a covering for the shame of sin” (Sarah Fallis, The Drama of Redemption, p. 17). Rex A. Turner, Sr. comments, “There is really no doubt but that the first animal sacrifices were made in the garden of Eden.” (Rex. A. Turner Sr., Systematic Theology, p. 110). (3) He clothed them. He covered their shame. What a gracious God!
About Bryan Hodge
I am a minister and missionary to numerous countries around the world.
He Covered Their Shame
“Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21).
Adam and Eve sinned. They became aware of their nakedness (Genesis 3:6-7). They were afraid and tried to hide their nakedness from God.
First, they tried to cover themselves. “They sewed fig leaves together and made themselves covering.” (Genesis 3:7). The NASB reads, “loin coverings.” The ESV reads “loincloths.” The KJV and ASV read “aprons.”
Second, they tried to hide themselves “from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden” (Genesis 3:8). It seems that they did not think that their fig leaves coverings were adequate.
The LORD God made tunics of skin and clothed them (Genesis 3:21). (1) He made them tunics. The KJV and ASV read “coats.” The NASB, ESV, and NIV read “garments.” William W. Grasham writes, “The Hebrew word… refers to a ‘tunic’ that was worn next to a person’s body, often with long or half sleeves and reaching to the knees or ankles (see Genesis 37:3; Exodus 28:4)” (William W. Grasham, Genesis, p.142, Truth For Today Commentary, General Editor Eddie Cloer). (2) He made them tunic of skin. Again, consider the comments of William W. Grasham, “The word for ‘skin’… refers to the hide of an animal (see Genesis 27:16; Leviticus 4:11). Although the author did not explore the theme of sacrifice here, it seems obvious that an animal had to die as a result of Adam and Eve’s sin.” (ibid). Many believe that animal sacrifice began here. Garry Brantley comments, “In Adam and Eve’s case, it might be that the animals from which God made the skins to clothe their naked bodies represented the first sin offering” (Garry Brantley, Reason & Revelation, Vol. 15, No. 3, 1995). Sarah Fallis comments, “Where did God get the skin for the tunics? The scripture doesn’t say but reason would force the conclusion that an animal’s blood was shed to provide those coats of skin… somewhere in the garden, an innocent animal was slain (…a lamb?) to provide a covering for the shame of sin” (Sarah Fallis, The Drama of Redemption, p. 17). Rex A. Turner, Sr. comments, “There is really no doubt but that the first animal sacrifices were made in the garden of Eden.” (Rex. A. Turner Sr., Systematic Theology, p. 110). (3) He clothed them. He covered their shame. What a gracious God!
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About Bryan Hodge
I am a minister and missionary to numerous countries around the world.