The Meaning of Genesis 3:23 Explained

Genesis 3:23

KJV: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.

YLT: Jehovah God sendeth him forth from the garden of Eden to serve the ground from which he hath been taken;

Darby: Therefore Jehovah Elohim sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he was taken.

ASV: therefore Jehovah God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Therefore the LORD  God  sent him forth  from the garden  of Eden,  to till  the ground  from whence he was taken. 

What does Genesis 3:23 Mean?

Study Notes

Therefore the Lord God
The Second Dispensation: Conscience. By disobedience man came to a personal and experimental knowledge of good and evil--of good as obedience, of evil as disobedience to the known will of God. Through that knowledge conscience awoke. Expelled from Eden and placed under the second, or ADAMIC COVENANT, man was responsible to do all known good, to abstain from all known evil, and to approach God through sacrifice. The result of this second testing of man is stated in Genesis 6:5 and the dispensation ended in the judgment of the Flood. Apparently "the east of the garden" Genesis 3:24 where were the cherubims and the flame, remained the place of worship through this second dispensation. See for the other six dispensations:
INNOCENCE
HUMAN GOVERNMENT
PROMISE
LAW
GRACE
KINGDOM
Be fruitful
The Edenic Covenant, the first of the eight great covenants of Scripture which condition life and salvation, and about which all Scripture crystallizes, has seven elements. The man and woman in Eden were responsible:
(1) To replenish the earth with a new order--man;
(2) to subdue the earth to human uses;
(3) to have dominion over the animal creation;
(4) to eat herbs and fruits;
(5) to till and keep the garden;
(6) to abstain from eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil;
(7) the penalty--death. See, for the other seven covenants:
ADAMIC (See Scofield " Genesis 3:14 ")
NOAHIC (See Scofield " Genesis 9:1 ")
ABRAHAMIC (See Scofield " Genesis 15:18 ")
MOSAIC (See Scofield " Exodus 19:25 ")
PALESTINIAN (See Scofield " Deuteronomy 30:3 ")
DAVIDIC (See Scofield " 2 Samuel 7:16 ")
NEW (See Scofield " Hebrews 8:8 ")
DISPENSATION
A dispensation is a period of time during which man is tested in respect of obedience to some specific revelation of the will of God. Seven such dispensations are distinguished in Scripture. (See Scofield " Genesis 1:28 ") , note 5.
And God blessed them
The First Dispensation: Innocency. Man was created in innocency, placed in a perfect environment, subjected to an absolutely simple test, and warned of the consequence of disobedience. The woman fell through pride; the man deliberately. 1 Timothy 2:14 God restored His sinning creatures, but the dispensation of innocency ended in the judgment of the Expulsion Genesis 3:24 See, for the other dispensations;
Conscience (See Scofield " Genesis 3:23 ")
Human Government (See Scofield " Exodus 19:1-435 ")
Promise (See Scofield " Genesis 12:1 ")
Law (See Scofield " Exodus 19:8 ")
Grace (See Scofield " John 1:17 ")
Kingdom (See Scofield " Ephesians 1:10 ")
Be fruitful
The Edenic Covenant, the first of the eight great covenants of Scripture which condition life and salvation, and about which all Scripture crystallizes, has seven elements. The man and woman in Eden were responsible:
(1) To replenish the earth with a new order--man;
(2) to subdue the earth to human uses;
(3) to have dominion over the animal creation;
(4) to eat herbs and fruits;
(5) to till and keep the garden;
(6) to abstain from eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil;
(7) the penalty--death. See, for the other seven covenants:
ADAMIC (See Scofield " Genesis 3:14 ")
NOAHIC (See Scofield " Genesis 9:1 ")
ABRAHAMIC (See Scofield " Genesis 15:18 ")
MOSAIC (See Scofield " Exodus 19:25 ")
PALESTINIAN (See Scofield " Deuteronomy 30:3 ")
DAVIDIC (See Scofield " 2 Samuel 7:16 ")
NEW (See Scofield " Hebrews 8:8 ")
And God blessed them
The First Dispensation: Innocency. Man was created in innocency, placed in a perfect environment, subjected to an absolutely simple test, and warned of the consequence of disobedience. The woman fell through pride; the man deliberately. 1 Timothy 2:14 God restored His sinning creatures, but the dispensation of innocency ended in the judgment of the Expulsion Genesis 3:24 See, for the other dispensations;
Conscience (See Scofield " Genesis 3:23 ")
Human Government (See Scofield " Genesis 8:21 ")
Promise (See Scofield " Genesis 12:1 ")
Law (See Scofield " Exodus 19:8 ")
Grace (See Scofield " John 1:17 ")
Kingdom (See Scofield " Ephesians 1:10 ")
Be fruitful
The Edenic Covenant, the first of the eight great covenants of Scripture which condition life and salvation, and about which all Scripture crystallizes, has seven elements. The man and woman in Eden were responsible:
(1) To replenish the earth with a new order--man;
(2) to subdue the earth to human uses;
(3) to have dominion over the animal creation;
(4) to eat herbs and fruits;
(5) to till and keep the garden;
(6) to abstain from eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil;
(7) the penalty--death. See, for the other seven covenants:
ADAMIC (See Scofield " Genesis 3:14 ")
NOAHIC (See Scofield " Genesis 9:1 ")
ABRAHAMIC (See Scofield " Genesis 15:18 ")
MOSAIC (See Scofield " Exodus 19:25 ")
PALESTINIAN (See Scofield " Deuteronomy 30:3 ")
DAVIDIC (See Scofield " 2 Samuel 7:16 ")
NEW (See Scofield " Hebrews 8:8 ")
the Lord said in heart
The Third Dispensation: Human Government. Under Conscience, as in Innocency, man utterly failed, and the judgment of the Flood marks the end of the second dispensation and the beginning of the third. The declaration of the Noahic Covenant subjects humanity to a new test. Its distinctive feature is the institution, for the first time, of human government--the government of man by man. The highest function of government is the judicial taking of life. All other governmental powers are implied in that. It follows that the third dispensation is distinctively that of human government. Man is responsible to govern the world for God. That responsibility rested upon the whole race, Jew and Gentile, until the failure of Israel under the Palestinian Covenant ( Deuteronomy 28:1 to Deuteronomy 30:10 ) brought the judgment of the Captivities, when "the times of the Gentiles" (See); Luke 21:24 ; Revelation 16:14 began, and the government of the world passed exclusively into Gentile hands; Daniel 2:36-45 ; Luke 21:24 ; Acts 15:14-17 . That both Israel and the Gentiles have governed for self, not God, is sadly apparent. The judgment of the confusion of tongues ended the racial testing; that of the captivities the Jewish; while the Gentile testing will end in the smiting of the Image (Daniel 2.) and the judgment of the nations Matthew 25:31-46 .
See, for the other six dispensations:
INNOCENCE (See Scofield " Genesis 1:28 ")
CONSCIENCE (See Scofield " Genesis 3:23 ")
PROMISE (See Scofield " Genesis 12:1 ")
LAW (See Scofield " Exodus 19:8 ")
GRACE (See Scofield " John 1:17 ")
KINGDOM (See Scofield " Ephesians 1:10 ")
Now the Lord
The Fourth Dispensation: Promise. For Abraham, and his descendants it is evident that the Abrahamic Covenant (See Scofield " Genesis 15:18 ") made a great change. They became distinctively the heirs of promise. That covenant is wholly gracious and unconditional. The descendants of Abraham had but to abide in their own land to inherit every blessing. In Egypt they lost their blessings, but not their covenant. The Dispensation of Promise ended when Israel rashly accepted the law Exodus 19:8 . Grace had prepared a deliverer (Moses), provided a sacrifice for the guilty, and by divine power brought them out of bondage Exodus 19:4 but at Sinai they exchanged grace for law. The Dispensation of Promise extends from Ezekiel 39:25-29 to Exodus 19:8 , and was exclusively Israelitish. The dispensation must be distinguished from the covenant. The former is a mode of testing; the latter is everlasting because unconditional. The law did not abrogate the Abrahamic Covenant Galatians 3:15-18 but was an intermediate disciplinary dealing "till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made"; Galatians 3:19-29 ; Galatians 4:1-7 . Only the dispensation, as a testing of Israel, ended at the giving of the law.
See, for the other six dispensations: (See Scofield " Genesis 8:21 ") .
INNOCENCE ( Genesis 1:28 ) CONSCIENCE ( Genesis 3:23 ) HUMAN GOVERNMENT ( Genesis 8:21 ) LAW ( Exodus 19:8 ) GRACE ( John 1:17 ) KINGDOM ( Ephesians 1:10 )
we will do
The Fifth Dispensation: Law. This dispensation extends from Sinai to Calvary--from Exodus to the Cross. The history of Israel in the wilderness and in the land is one long record of the violation of the law. The testing of the nation by law ended in the judgment of the Captivities, but the dispensation itself ended at the Cross.
(1) Man's state at the beginning 1711624987_9 .
(2) His responsibility Exodus 19:5 ; Exodus 19:6 ; Romans 10:5 .
(3) His failure 2 Kings 17:7-17 ; 2 Kings 17:19 ; Acts 2:22 ; Acts 2:23 .
(4) The judgment 2 Kings 17:1-6 ; 2 Kings 17:20 ; 2 Kings 25:1-11 ; Luke 21:20-24
For Another Point of View: See Topic 301180
See, for the other six dispensations: INNOCENCE ( Genesis 1:28 ); CONSCIENCE ( Genesis 3:23 ); HUMAN GOVERNMENT ( Genesis 8:20 ); PROMISE ( Genesis 12:1 ); GRACE ( John 1:17 ); KINGDOM ( Ephesians 1:10 )
(See Scofield " Genesis 1:28 ") . See Scofield " Genesis 3:23 ". See Scofield " Genesis 8:21 ". See Scofield " Genesis 12:1 ". See Scofield " John 1:17 ". See Scofield " Ephesians 1:10 ".
grace
Grace. Summary:
(1) Grace is "the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man.. . not by works of righteousness which we have done" Titus 3:4 ; Titus 3:5 .
It is, therefore, constantly set in contrast to law, under which God demands righteousness from man, as, under grace, he gives righteousness to man Romans 3:21 ; Romans 3:22 ; Romans 8:4 ; Philippians 3:9 . Law is connected with Moses and works; grace with Christ and faith; John 1:17 ; Romans 10:4-10 . Law blesses the good; grace saves the bad; Exodus 19:5 ; Ephesians 2:1-9 . Law demands that blessings be earned; grace is a free gift; Deuteronomy 28:1-6 ; Ephesians 2:8 ; Romans 4:4 ; Romans 4:5 .
(2) As a dispensation, grace begins with the death and resurrection of Christ Romans 3:24-26 , Romans 4:24 ; Romans 4:25 . The point of testing is no longer legal obedience as the condition of salvation, but acceptance or rejection of Christ, with good works as a fruit of salvation,; John 1:12 ; John 1:13 ; John 3:36 ; Matthew 21:37 ; Matthew 22:24 ; John 15:22 ; John 15:25 ; Hebrews 1:2 ; 1 John 5:10-12 . The immediate result of this testing was the rejection of Christ by the Jews, and His crucifixion by Jew and Gentile Acts 4:27 . The predicted end of the testing of man under grace is the apostasy of the professing church: See "Apostasy" (See Scofield " Romans 11:25-27 ") 2 Timothy 3:1-8 and the resultant apocalyptic judgments.
(3) Grace has a twofold manifestation: in salvation Romans 3:24 and in the walk and service of the saved Romans 6:15 .
See, for the other six dispensations:
Innocence, (See Scofield " Genesis 1:28 ")
Conscience, (See Scofield " Genesis 3:23 ")
Human Government, (See Scofield " Genesis 8:21 ")
Promise, (See Scofield " Genesis 12:1 ")
Law, (See Scofield " Exodus 19:8 ")
Kingdom, (See Scofield " Ephesians 1:10 ") .
dispensation of the fullness of times
The Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. This, the seventh and last of the ordered ages which condition human life on the earth, is identical with the kingdom covenanted to David. 2 Samuel 7:8-17 ; Zechariah 12:8
Summary;
Luke 1:31-33 ; 1 Corinthians 15:24 , and gathers into itself under Christ all past "times":
(1) The time of oppression and misrule ends by Christ taking His kingdom. Isaiah 11:3 ; Isaiah 11:4 .
(2) The time of testimony and divine forbearance ends in judgment. Matthew 25:31-46 ; Acts 17:30 ; Acts 17:31 ; Revelation 20:7-15 .
(3) The time of toil ends in rest and reward. 2 Thessalonians 1:6 ; 2 Thessalonians 1:7 .
(4) The time of suffering ends in glory. Romans 8:17 ; Romans 8:18 .
(5) The time of Israel's blindness and chastisement ends in restoration and conversion. 2 Timothy 3:1 ; Genesis 12:1 .
(6) The times of the Gentiles end in the smiting of the image and the setting up of the kingdom of the heavens. Daniel 2:34 ; Daniel 2:35 ; Revelation 19:15-21 .
(7) The time of creation's thraldom ends in deliverance at the manifestation of the sons of God. Genesis 3:17 ; Isaiah 11:6-8 ; Romans 8:19-21 .

Context Summary

Genesis 3:22-24 - Offerings By Cain And Abel
It was good that man should be driven from Eden. Soft comfort enervates. The natives of the South Sea Islands are moral pulp. Man goes forth from the Eden of innocence, of home, of the land of his birth, to create gardens out of deserts, and to become a pilgrim to the abiding City of God. Angels of Love forbid our return. Heaven lies before us, the City gleams with light on the far horizon. For the Tree of Life see Revelation 2:7. The inner motive of Cain's ruthless deed is supplied in 1 John 3:12. Abel, deeply conscious of sin, felt that a sacrifice was needed; therefore his faith saved him and links him with all who believe. See Hebrews 11:4. Cain had no sense of sin, and thought a gift of produce enough. But all the while sin was crouching at the door, like a hungry tiger, waiting for the chance to enter. Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation! "Thou shouldst rule." [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 3

1  The serpent deceives Eve
6  Both she and Adam transgress the divine command, and fall into sin
8  God arraigns them
14  The serpent is cursed
15  The promised seed
16  The punishment of mankind
21  Their first clothing
22  Their expulsion from paradise

What do the individual words in Genesis 3:23 mean?

therefore sent him Yahweh God out of the garden of Eden to till - the ground from which he had been taken -
וַֽיְשַׁלְּחֵ֛הוּ יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים מִגַּן־ עֵ֑דֶן לַֽעֲבֹד֙ אֶת־ הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֻקַּ֖ח מִשָּֽׁם

וַֽיְשַׁלְּחֵ֛הוּ  therefore  sent  him 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁלַח  
Sense: to send, send away, let go, stretch out.
יְהוָ֥ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
אֱלֹהִ֖ים  God 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
מִגַּן־  out  of  the  garden 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, common singular construct
Root: גַּן 
Sense: garden, enclosure.
עֵ֑דֶן  of  Eden 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: עֵדֶן 
Sense: the first habitat of man after the creation; site unknown.
לַֽעֲבֹד֙  to  till 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: עָבַד  
Sense: to work, serve.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה  the  ground 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֲדָמָה 
Sense: ground, land.
אֲשֶׁ֥ר  from  which 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
לֻקַּ֖ח  he  had  been  taken 
Parse: Verb, QalPass, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: יָקַח 
Sense: to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away.
מִשָּֽׁם    - 
Parse: Preposition-m, Adverb
Root: שָׁם  
Sense: there, thither.