Then the man and his wife heard the voice of the LORD GodThis phrase indicates the personal relationship between God and humanity. The "voice of the LORD God" suggests a direct communication, emphasizing God's desire for fellowship with Adam and Eve. This moment occurs after the fall, highlighting the shift from innocence to awareness of sin. The term "LORD God" combines the covenant name Yahweh with Elohim, underscoring both His personal and sovereign nature.
walking in the garden in the breeze of the day
The imagery of God "walking" suggests His immanence and accessibility. The "breeze of the day" likely refers to the cool part of the day, possibly late afternoon or early evening, a time when people would typically rest and reflect. This setting contrasts with the tension of the narrative, as it was a time meant for communion, now marred by sin.
and they hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God
Adam and Eve's attempt to hide signifies the immediate impact of sin, which is separation from God. This act of hiding reflects guilt and shame, emotions that were absent before the fall. Theologically, it illustrates the human tendency to flee from God when confronted with sin, a theme echoed throughout Scripture, such as in Jonah's flight from God's command.
among the trees of the garden
The garden, initially a place of life and abundance, becomes a place of concealment and fear. The trees, once symbols of provision and beauty, are now used as a means to hide from God. This setting foreshadows the need for redemption and restoration, themes that are fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus Christ, who restores the broken relationship between God and humanity.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The LORD GodThe Creator, who is depicted as walking in the garden, indicating a personal and relational aspect of God.
2.
The Man (Adam)The first human created by God, who is now hiding due to his disobedience.
3.
The Woman (Eve)The first woman, who, alongside Adam, is hiding from God after eating the forbidden fruit.
4.
The Garden of EdenThe perfect dwelling place created by God for Adam and Eve, symbolizing peace and communion with God.
5.
The Breeze of the DayThis phrase suggests a specific time when God would commune with Adam and Eve, indicating a routine fellowship.
Teaching Points
The Nature of SinSin leads to separation from God and a desire to hide from His presence. Recognize the impact of sin on our relationship with God.
God's PursuitDespite their disobedience, God seeks out Adam and Eve, demonstrating His desire for reconciliation. Reflect on God's relentless pursuit of a relationship with us.
The Importance of ObedienceDisobedience disrupts the harmony of our relationship with God. Strive for obedience to maintain fellowship with Him.
The Reality of God's PresenceWe cannot hide from God; He is omnipresent. Live with the awareness of God's constant presence in our lives.
Restoration through ChristThe broken fellowship in Eden is restored through Jesus Christ. Embrace the reconciliation offered through Him.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Genesis 3:8?
2.How does Genesis 3:8 illustrate the consequences of disobedience to God's command?
3.What does "the sound of the LORD God" reveal about His presence?
4.How can we apply Genesis 3:8 to recognize God's presence in our lives?
5.What scriptural connections exist between Genesis 3:8 and God's omnipresence in Psalm 139?
6.How should believers respond when they feel the need to hide from God?
7.Why did Adam and Eve hide from God in Genesis 3:8?
8.How does Genesis 3:8 illustrate humanity's relationship with God?
9.What does God's presence in the garden signify in Genesis 3:8?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 3?
11.What does salvation mean without guilt?
12.If God wants a relationship with us, why does He remain invisible instead of revealing Himself physically?
13.Did God physically walk in the garden in Genesis?
14.What does the Bible say about God versus Satan?What Does Genesis 3:8 Mean
Then the man and his wife– Scripture focuses on Adam and Eve together, reminding us of the shared responsibility they now bear (Genesis 2:24;Romans 5:12).
– Their unity—formerly joyful and innocent—has just been marred by disobedience (Genesis 3:6-7).
heard the voice of the LORD God– “Voice” highlights God’s personal, relational communication. SeePsalm 29:4 for the power of that voice.
– God comes seeking, not hiding—foreshadowingLuke 19:10 where the Son of Man “came to seek and to save the lost.”
walking in the garden– God’s presence is depicted in a tangible way, underscoring that fellowship was designed to be intimate (Leviticus 26:12;Revelation 21:3).
– The garden is not mythic but a real place God chose for communion with humanity (Genesis 2:8-17).
in the breeze of the day– A calm, daily rhythm is implied; communion with God was meant to be regular and peaceful (Psalm 5:3).
– Contrast: sin has turned a moment that should have been delightful into a scene of dread (Isaiah 59:2).
and they hid themselves– The instinct to hide shows immediate spiritual death: separation and shame (John 3:19-20).
– Humanity’s first attempt at self-made covering (Genesis 3:7) fails to deal with guilt, pointing to our need for God’s provision (Genesis 3:21;2 Corinthians 5:21).
from the presence of the LORD God– Sin always drives a wedge between people and the holy God (Habakkuk 1:13).
– Yet God still pursues; compareJonah 1:3 where fleeing God’s presence never succeeds.
among the trees of the garden– The very gifts God gave become their hiding place, illustrating how created things can be misused to avoid Him (Romans 1:25).
– No tree could conceal them from the all-seeing Lord (Psalm 139:7-12); only divine mercy would ultimately cover their sin.
summaryGenesis 3:8 records the tragic first fracture in humanity’s fellowship with God: after sin, Adam and Eve hear their Creator’s familiar approach but respond with fear and hiding. The verse highlights God’s pursuing heart, mankind’s immediate alienation, and the futility of self-concealment. Even here, the stage is set for redemption, as the same God who walked in Eden will one day walk among us in Christ to restore what was lost.
(8)
And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden.--The matter-of-fact school of commentators understand by this that there was a thunderstorm, and the guilty pair hearing for the first time the uproar of nature, hid themselves in terror, and interpreted the mighty peals as meaning their condemnation. Really it is in admirable keeping with the whole narrative; and Jehovah appears here as the owner of the Paradise, and as taking in it His daily exercise; for the verb is in the reflexive conjugation, and means "walking for pleasure." The time is "the cool (literally,
the wind) of the day," the hour in a hot climate when the evening breeze sets in, and men, rising from their noontide slumber, go forth for labour or recreation. In this description the primary lesson is that hitherto man had lived in close communication with God. His intellect was undeveloped; his mental powers still slumbered; but nevertheless there was a deep spiritual sympathy between him and his Maker. It is the nobler side of Adam's relationship to God before the fall.
Hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God.--This does not imply a visible appearance, for the whole narrative is anthropomorphic. The Fathers, however, saw in these descriptions the proof of a previous incarnation of the Divine Son (see Note onGenesis 12:7). Next, we find in their conduct an attempt to escape from the further result of sin. The first result was shame, from which man endeavoured to free himself by covering his person; the second was fear, and this man would cure by departing still farther from God. But the voice of Jehovah reaches him, and with rebuke and punishment gives also healing and hope.
Verse 8. -
And they heard the voice of the Lord God. Either
(1) the noise of his footsteps (cf.Leviticus 26:33;Numbers 16:34;2 Samuel 5:24; Knobel, Delitzsch, Keil, Kalisch, Macdonald); or
(2) the thunder that accompanied his approach (cf.Exodus 9:23;Job 37:4, 5;Psalm 29:3, 9; Murphy, Bush); or
(3) the sound of his voice (Calvin, Lange, Wordsworth); or . . .
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Then the manהָֽאָדָ֜ם(hā·’ā·ḏām)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120:Ruddy, a human beingand his wifeוְאִשְׁתּ֗וֹ(wə·’iš·tōw)Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 802:Woman, wife, femaleheardוַֽיִּשְׁמְע֞וּ(way·yiš·mə·‘ū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8085:To hear intelligentlythe voiceק֨וֹל(qō·wl)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6963:A voice, soundof the LORDיְהוָ֧ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of IsraelGodאֱלֹהִ֛ים(’ĕ·lō·hîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativewalkingמִתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ(miṯ·hal·lêḵ)Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1980:To go, come, walkin the gardenבַּגָּ֖ן(bag·gān)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 1588:An enclosure, gardenin the breezeלְר֣וּחַ(lə·rū·aḥ)Preposition-l | Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 7307:Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spiritof the day,הַיּ֑וֹם(hay·yō·wm)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117:A dayand they hid themselvesוַיִּתְחַבֵּ֨א(way·yiṯ·ḥab·bê)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2244:To withdraw, hidefrom the presenceמִפְּנֵי֙(mip·pə·nê)Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440:The faceof the LORDיְהוָ֣ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of IsraelGodאֱלֹהִ֔ים(’ĕ·lō·hîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativeamongבְּת֖וֹךְ(bə·ṯō·wḵ)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8432:A bisection, the centrethe treesעֵ֥ץ(‘êṣ)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6086:Tree, trees, woodof the garden.הַגָּֽן׃(hag·gān)Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 1588:An enclosure, garden
Links
Genesis 3:8 NIVGenesis 3:8 NLTGenesis 3:8 ESVGenesis 3:8 NASBGenesis 3:8 KJV
Genesis 3:8 BibleApps.comGenesis 3:8 Biblia ParalelaGenesis 3:8 Chinese BibleGenesis 3:8 French BibleGenesis 3:8 Catholic Bible
OT Law: Genesis 3:8 They heard the voice of Yahweh God (Gen. Ge Gn) 
