Genesis 3:16 Commentary
THOMAS SCOTT COMMENTARY
Verse 16. The woman was first in the transgression, and had tempted Adam, as the serpent had tempted her; she therefore next received her sentence, respecting the sufferings to which she and her daughters would be subjected. It can hardly be conceived that any pain or sorrow would have been connected with pregnancy, or child-bearing, had not sin been committed: but now the Lord threatened to multiply the woman’s sorrows, even those of her conception; so that, in a world of suffering, the pains and sufferings of the female sex are greatly multiplied indeed, almost beyond expression.—It might, therefore, have been expected, that on this account women would generally prefer the single state, and thus prevent the increase of the human species: but God (according to the most probable meaning of the expression here used) hath so ordered it, that marriage is notwithstanding generally chosen even by the suffering sex.—The authority of the husband, when exercised uniformly with wisdom and tenderness, would have increased mutual felicity; but, by the entrance of sin, it is often converted into unreasonable and unfeeling despotism, and becomes an additional source of misery to vast numbers of unhappy females: and they, too, are equally prone to neglect the duties of their station, which occasions a still further increase of misery and distraction. To prevent or mitigate these evils, submission in things lawful is here commanded, notwithstanding this change in the conduct of the husband, which seems also to be predicted.—‘It is well, that enmity was not put between the mean and woman, in the manner that it is betwixt her seed and that of the serpent.’—Henry.
THOMAS HAWEIS COMMENTARY
Verse 16: As the woman is second in guilt, she is next in sentence. She is to share with the man in his curse too; but she hath a burden on her, peculiarly her own.
1. An increase of sorrows in conception and child-bearing. Of all agonizing pains, these are acute to a proverb, while wearisome days and nights precede them; and fear, as well as anguish embitters them. Note, 1. Every groan of travail is the cry of sin; and every sorrow we feel, springs from this root. If our sorrows are multiplied, no wonder our sins are so: at the worst we must acknowledge they are less than our iniquities deserve. 2. We should regard the word of God in every sorrow: this alone can reconcile the heart to patient submission, I was dumb, I opened not my mouth, because thou didst it, Ps 39:1-13
2. Her state of subjection pronounced. While innocence remained, if some superiority was placed in man, so gentle and affectionate was the sway that woman rather seemed the equal partner to the throne; but since sin hath entered, her yoke is heavier. Her husband rules, and as the fallen mind is now disturbed with pride and angry passions, these breed disquiet, and often make obedience real punishment. Happy those, who instead of complaining of their suffering, lament their sin. To disobey or murmur, or affect equality, much more superiority, is not only a violation of the divine law, but an insult on the divine judgment.
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