But the LORD God called out to the manThis phrase indicates a direct and personal interaction between God and humanity. The use of "LORD God" combines the covenant name of God, Yahweh, with Elohim, emphasizing both His personal relationship and His sovereign power. This calling out signifies God's initiative in seeking a relationship with humanity, even after sin has entered the world. It reflects God's omniscience and His desire for accountability and reconciliation. This moment foreshadows the redemptive pursuit seen throughout Scripture, culminating in Jesus Christ, who came to seek and save the lost (
Luke 19:10).
“Where are you?”
This question is not about God's lack of knowledge but is an invitation for Adam to reflect on his spiritual state and the consequences of his disobedience. It highlights the broken fellowship between God and man due to sin. Theologically, it underscores the concept of conviction, where God prompts individuals to recognize their separation from Him. This question echoes throughout Scripture, as God continually calls His people to repentance and restoration. It also prefigures the call to humanity to return to God, as seen in the ministry of Jesus and the apostles (Acts 3:19).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The LORD GodThe Creator, who is omniscient and omnipresent, initiates a conversation with Adam. This highlights God's personal relationship with humanity.
2.
AdamThe first man created by God, who has just disobeyed God's command by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam represents humanity's fallen state.
3.
The Garden of EdenThe perfect place created by God for Adam and Eve, now tainted by sin. It serves as the setting for this pivotal moment in human history.
4.
The FallThe event where Adam and Eve disobeyed God, leading to the introduction of sin into the world. This moment marks the beginning of humanity's separation from God.
Teaching Points
God's Pursuit of HumanityDespite Adam's sin, God seeks him out. This demonstrates God's desire for relationship and reconciliation with humanity.
The Nature of SinSin leads to separation from God, as seen in Adam's hiding. Recognizing this helps us understand the gravity of sin in our own lives.
Self-ExaminationGod's question, "Where are you?" invites us to reflect on our spiritual state and relationship with Him.
God's Omniscience and OmnipresenceUnderstanding that God knows all and is everywhere can bring comfort and accountability in our daily walk.
The Need for RepentanceAdam's account reminds us of the importance of acknowledging our sins and turning back to God.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Genesis 3:9?
2.How does Genesis 3:9 illustrate God's desire for relationship with humanity?
3.What does "Where are you?" reveal about God's omniscience and human accountability?
4.How can Genesis 3:9 guide us in recognizing our spiritual condition today?
5.Connect Genesis 3:9 with Psalm 139:7-8 on God's presence and pursuit.
6.How should we respond when God calls us to account for our actions?
7.Why does God ask "Where are you?" if He is omniscient in Genesis 3:9?
8.How does Genesis 3:9 reflect God's relationship with humanity?
9.What theological implications arise from God's question in Genesis 3:9?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 3?
11.Does God communicate with people today?
12.Why would an all-knowing God ask Adam and Eve where they were (Genesis 3:9)?
13.Does God actively seek a relationship with us?
14.How did God interact with humanity in the Old Testament?What Does Genesis 3:9 Mean
But• The single conjunction signals a sharp contrast with the shame-filled hiding in verse 8.
• God does not leave the first couple in secrecy; He breaks the silence.
• Scripture often uses the same pivot to introduce divine mercy (Ephesians 2:4-5;Romans 5:8).
the LORD God• The covenant name underscores the personal Creator who formed Adam (Genesis 2:7) and still pursues him.
• His sovereignty is undiminished; disobedience has not dethroned Him (Psalm 33:13-15).
• Yet the intimate title “LORD” shows relational intent, just as He spoke to Moses from the bush (Exodus 3:6) and later called His sheep by name (John 10:3).
called out• Initiative belongs to God; He speaks first, seeking the sinner who will not seek Him (Luke 19:10).
• The verb portrays urgency and grace, echoed when He reasons with wayward Judah (Isaiah 1:18) and knocks at the door of lukewarm Laodicea (Revelation 3:20).
• Divine speech exposes guilt but at the same time opens the way for restoration.
to the man• The address is personal; God deals with Adam individually before Eve, reflecting headship established in creation (1 Timothy 2:13).
• Humanity’s representative now faces the Maker; through this one man sin entered the world (Romans 5:12).
• Even in judgment the relationship remains direct and conversational, displaying dignity given to the image-bearer.
“Where are you?”• The question is not for God’s information; it invites Adam to recognize distance caused by sin (Isaiah 59:2).
• It highlights lost fellowship, unlike the unhindered communion of Eden’s earlier moments.
• The call presses for confession, much as David later sensed God’s inescapable presence (Psalm 139:7).
summaryGenesis 3:9 reveals a pursuing God interrupting human hiding. The contrast word “But” introduces hope, “the LORD God” affirms His sovereign yet personal nature, “called out” shows initiating grace, “to the man” personalizes accountability, and “Where are you?” exposes separation while inviting return. The verse stands as Scripture’s first gospel overture, a pattern repeated throughout redemptive history as God seeks sinners and offers restoration through His own gracious initiative.
Verses 9, 10. -
And the Lord God called unto Adam. Adam's absence was a clear proof that something was wrong. Hitherto he had always welcomed the Divine approach.
And said unto him, Where art thou? Not as if ignorant of Adam's hiding-place, but to bring him to confession (cf.
Genesis 4:9).
And I was afraid, because I was naked. Attributing his fear to the wrong cause - the voice of God or his insufficient clothing; a sign of special obduracy (Calvin), which, however, admits of a psychological explanation, viz., that" his consciousness of the effects of sin was keener than his sense of the sin itself" (Keil), "
although all that he says is purely involuntary self-accusation" (Delitzsch), and "the first instance of that mingling and confusion of Bin and punishment which is the peculiar characteristic of our redemption-needing humanity" (Lange).
And I hid myself.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
So the LORDיְהוָ֥ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of IsraelGodאֱלֹהִ֖ים(’ĕ·lō·hîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativecalled outוַיִּקְרָ֛א(way·yiq·rā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121:To call, proclaim, readtoאֶל־(’el-)Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, tothe man,הָֽאָדָ֑ם(hā·’ā·ḏām)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120:Ruddy, a human being“Where [are] you?”אַיֶּֽכָּה׃(’ay·yek·kāh)Interrogative | second person masculine singular
Strong's 335:Where?, how?
Links
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OT Law: Genesis 3:9 Yahweh God called to the man (Gen. Ge Gn) 
