Moses 5:11-15
From Feast upon the Word (http://feastupontheword.org). Copyright, Feast upon the Word.
The Pearl of Great Price > The Book of Moses > Chapter 5
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Contents |
Questions
Verse 11
- Can transgression be good? If the fall brought about all the good things that Eve mentions here, why did God prohibit partaking of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil (cf. Moses 3:17)?
- Transgression vs. sin: Eve refers to the fall as a transgression--is this the same as sin? If not, what is the difference?
Lexical notes
- Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes
Exegesis
Verse 11
In verse 11 Eve tells us that were it not for her and Adam's transgression, they would never have had children, known good and evil or had eternal life. (See also 2 Ne 2:22-23.) One way to read this is that there was no way for Adam and Eve to have children, know good and evil and have eternal life, except by breaking a commandment given to them by God. Alternatively we could read Eve as saying that were it not for eating of the tree of life, which she did when God told her not to, Eve and Adam would not have received these blessings. That reading is consistent with the idea that were the same acts to happen under the direction of God, she would have received these blessings without transgressing God's commandments. Note that Moses 6:53 tells us that Adam had to be forgiven for this transgression. Presumably Eve did too. To some the fact that God forgave them suggests that they had done something God did not want them to do.
Adam and Eve's words
Adam prophesies (v.10), then Eve hears and gladly proclaims (v.11). It is interesting how closely their words parallel:
Adam: “…for because of my transgression my eyes are opened Eve: “Were it not for our transgression … we never should have known good and evil Adam: in this life I shall have joy Eve: and the joy of our redemption Adam: and again in the flesh I shall see God.” Eve: and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.”
The only real difference is that Eve mentions seed. They certainly were on the same page in their understanding of the gospel. Then they together bless God, and together teach their children.
Related links
Verse 11
- Transgression vs. sin: See RobertC's subpage on the fall for more links, discussion, and analysis of the distinction between a sin and transgression as it pertains to the fall.
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