Genesis 3:9 kjv

And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

Genesis 3:9 nkjv

Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?"

Genesis 3:9 niv

But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?"

Genesis 3:9 esv

But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, "Where are you?"

Genesis 3:9 nlt

Then the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?"

Genesis 3 verses

Genesis 3 9 Meaning

Genesis 3:9 records the Lord God's direct call to Adam after he and Eve had disobeyed God and attempted to hide. The question, "Where are you?" is not a literal query from an ignorant God, as God is all-knowing. Instead, it serves as a profound rhetorical and theological summons, designed to expose Adam's spiritual condition, his fear, and his broken relationship with God, thereby prompting an acknowledgment and confession of his sin. This marks God's very first initiative towards fallen humanity, demonstrating His relentless pursuit of His creation, even amidst their rebellion and the subsequent need for judgment.

Genesis 3 9 Context

Genesis 3:9 is uttered immediately after the momentous event of humanity's fall into sin. In the preceding verses (Gen 3:1-8), Adam and Eve, enticed by the serpent, directly disobey God's clear prohibition (Gen 2:16-17) by eating from the forbidden tree. This act immediately introduces sin, shame, and fear into their existence. They realize their nakedness, attempt to cover themselves clumsily, and, most significantly, hide from God's presence among the garden's trees (Gen 3:7-8). This verse thus marks God's very first response to the newly broken covenant, initiating a crucial dialogue that, while leading to judgment, also prefigures the grand narrative of redemption. Historically and culturally, this passage would have stood in stark contrast to pagan conceptions of indifferent or absent deities, portraying the God of Israel as intimately involved, just, righteous, and actively engaged with His creation, even in their fallen state.

Genesis 3 9 Word analysis

• But / Then: (וַיִּקְרָא֙ – wa-yiqra - prefix 'and' functions often as "then"). This opening particle signals a direct, immediate divine reaction following humanity's concealment. It shifts the narrative focus to God's intervention.
• the LORD God: (Yahweh Elohim - יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֔ים). This double designation is profoundly significant. Yahweh is God's personal, covenantal, and redemptive name, emphasizing His relational commitment. Elohim is the generic, majestic name for God, highlighting His power, sovereignty, and role as Creator. The combination underscores that the powerful, personal Creator, who entered into covenant with humanity, is now the one pursuing them after their breach of that covenant.
• called: (qara - קָרָא). This verb means "to call out," "to summon," "to address with authority." It is the same word used for God's creation declarations ("God called the light Day" – Gen 1:5) and for His summons to covenant figures like Abraham (Gen 12:1). Here, it signifies God taking decisive, authoritative initiative to break the silence and hiddenness, demanding an account.
• to the man: (el-ha'adam - לָאָדָם). Primarily refers to Adam as the individual head of creation and the federal representative of humanity. Biblically, responsibility for the Fall is often traced back to Adam (Rom 5:12-21). "Adam" itself is also the Hebrew word for "humanity" or "mankind," subtly implying that this confrontation represents God's dealing with fallen humanity in general.
• and said to him: (wa-yomer lo - וַיֹּאמֶר֙ אֵלָ֔יו). A common Hebrew formula for direct verbal communication, emphasizing the personal and deliberate nature of God's address to Adam.
• “Where are you?”: (Ayeka? - אַיֶּכָּֽה). This is the focal point of the verse, a rhetorical question packed with theological weight.
  • Not a geographical inquiry: God is omniscient (Psa 139:7-12) and omnipresent (Jer 23:24), so He already knows Adam's physical location.
  • A spiritual/relational probe: The question penetrates beyond the physical to Adam's spiritual and relational standing. It asks, "Where are you in our relationship, now that you have sinned against me?" "Where are you in relation to your original uprightness and the perfect fellowship we shared?"
  • A call to account and confession: Its purpose is to induce self-awareness, break through Adam's fear-driven hiding, and prompt him to acknowledge his disobedience and its consequences. It is a divine invitation to communicate his new reality and brokenness.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "The LORD God called... and said": This phrase underlines the profound initiative of God. He is not indifferent to their sin or content to let them hide in their shame. He actively seeks out and confronts His fallen creation, initiating the process that will lead both to judgment and the eventual unfolding of His redemptive plan. This is a characteristic act of God's sovereign care.
  • "to the man... 'Where are you?'": This grouping highlights the targeted, yet profoundly universal, nature of the question. Addressed directly to Adam as the representative head, it probes the new existential reality of humanity estranged from God. The rhetorical force of "Ayeka?" aims to elicit a response that reveals the spiritual depth of the fall, initiating a crucial dialogue of accountability. It also foreshadows God's relentless pursuit of humanity throughout history, demonstrating that God is always seeking, always drawing individuals back to Himself (Luke 19:10).

Genesis 3 9 Bonus section

• This initial divine "search" lays the foundation for God's redemptive actions throughout the Bible. The concept of God "seeking" humanity, especially the lost, becomes a central theme, powerfully embodied in Jesus Christ (Luke 19:10).
• The profound and evocative nature of "Ayeka" signifies God's ultimate desire for honest engagement and relationship, even when one is exposed in their sin and shame. It implies a divine concern that extends beyond mere obedience to the state of the heart.
• Adam's subsequent reply in Genesis 3:10, where he explains his hiding not in terms of his sin but his nakedness, shows the depth of his brokenness and spiritual dullness, indicating God's need to continue drawing out the confession of the core issue.
• This verse subtly underscores that the initiative for reconciliation always originates with God, a cornerstone of Christian doctrine regarding salvation and grace.

Genesis 3 9 Commentary

Genesis 3:9 marks a pivotal moment in biblical theology, revealing fundamental truths about God and humanity. Despite knowing full well where Adam was hiding and what he had done, the Lord God still called out to him, not for information, but for the purpose of confrontation and restoration. This is a God who pursues His fallen creation, not abandons them. The "Where are you?" is an act of initiating grace, urging Adam to move beyond denial and fear to acknowledge his state. It serves as a call to introspection, forcing Adam to confront the internal separation caused by sin, which resulted in his physical hiding. This verse beautifully portrays God's enduring desire for relationship, even in the midst of holiness demanding judgment, setting the stage for the unfolding of His redemptive plan throughout Scripture. It demonstrates that true spiritual healing begins when humanity steps out of hiding and faces God's loving but direct inquiry.