Genesis 3:9
Genesis 3:9 in Multiple Translations
But the LORD God called out to the man, “Where are you?”
And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
And Jehovah God called unto the man, and said unto him, Where art thou?
And the voice of the Lord God came to the man, saying, Where are you?
The Lord God called out to Adam, “Where are you?”
But the Lord God called to the man, and said vnto him, Where art thou?
And Jehovah God calleth unto the man, and saith to him, 'Where [art] thou?'
The LORD God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?”
And the LORD God called to Adam, and said to him, Where art thou?
And the Lord God called Adam, and said to him: Where art thou?
But Yahweh God called to the man, saying to him, “Why are you trying to hide from me?”
God called out to the man, “Where are you?”
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 3:9
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 3:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּקְרָ֛א
יְהוָ֥ה
אֱלֹהִ֖ים
אֶל
הָֽ/אָדָ֑ם
וַ/יֹּ֥אמֶר
ל֖/וֹ
אַיֶּֽ/כָּה
וַ/יִּקְרָ֛א
qârâʼ
H7121
to call
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
יְהוָ֥ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
אֱלֹהִ֖ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
הָֽ/אָדָ֑ם
ʼâdâm
H120
the man (Adam)
Art | N-ms
וַ/יֹּ֥אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
ל֖/וֹ
Prep | Suff
אַיֶּֽ/כָּה
ʼay
H335
where?
Part | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 3:9
וַ/יִּקְרָ֛א
qârâʼ
H7121
"to call"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to call out to someone or something, often by name. It's used in many situations, like calling for help or reading aloud. In Genesis, God calls out to Adam in the Garden.
Definition: : call_to/invite/entreat 1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound 1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God) 1a3) to proclaim 1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read 1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow 1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to call oneself 1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named 1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen
Usage: Occurs in 689 OT verses. KJV: bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 49:1; Judges 1:26.
יְהוָ֥ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אֱלֹהִ֖ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
הָֽ/אָדָ֑ם
ʼâdâm
H120
"the man (Adam)"
Art | N-ms
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being
Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:7; Psalms 8:5.
וַ/יֹּ֥אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
ל֖/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
אַיֶּֽ/כָּה
ʼay
H335
"where?"
Part | Suff
The Hebrew word for where or how, used to ask questions about location or method, as seen in various Bible translations, including how, what, or which way.
Definition: 1) whereto ?, whence? 2) which?, how? (in prefix with other adverb)
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: how, what, whence, where, whether, which (way). See also: Genesis 3:9; Job 2:2; Proverbs 31:4.
Study Notes — Genesis 3:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 3:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 3:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 3:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 3:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 3:9
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 3:9
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 3:9
- Sermons on Genesis 3:9
Context — God Arraigns Adam and Eve
7And the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; so they sewed together fig leaves and made coverings for themselves.
8Then the man and his wife heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the breeze of the day, and they hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.
9But the LORD God called out to the man, “Where are you?”
10“I heard Your voice in the garden,” he replied, “and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” 11“Who told you that you were naked?” asked the LORD God. “Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 4:9 | And the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I do not know!” he answered. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” |
| 2 | Genesis 16:8 | “Hagar, servant of Sarai,” he said, “where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I am running away from my mistress Sarai,” she replied. |
| 3 | Genesis 18:20–21 | Then the LORD said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great. Because their sin is so grievous, I will go down to see if their actions fully justify the outcry that has reached Me. If not, I will find out.” |
| 4 | Joshua 7:17–19 | He had the clans of Judah come forward, and the clan of the Zerahites was selected. He had the clan of the Zerahites come forward, and the family of Zabdi was selected. And he had the family of Zabdi come forward man by man, and Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was selected. So Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and make a confession to Him. I urge you to tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me.” |
| 5 | Revelation 20:12–13 | And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And there were open books, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds. |
| 6 | Genesis 11:5 | Then the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the sons of men were building. |
Genesis 3:9 Summary
[In this verse, God is calling out to Adam and asking him to acknowledge his sin and come back to a place of relationship with Him. This question is not about God's lack of knowledge, but about Adam's need to acknowledge his mistake and turn back to God. As seen in Genesis 3:10, Adam's response is one of fear and hiding, but God's desire is for Adam to come out of hiding and into a deeper relationship with Him. This is similar to the way God calls out to us today, inviting us to come back to Him and experience His love and mercy, as seen in Luke 15:11-32.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did God ask Adam 'Where are you?' when He already knew where Adam was?
God asked this question not because He was unaware of Adam's location, but because He wanted Adam to acknowledge his sin and come to a place of repentance, as seen in Genesis 3:10 where Adam confesses his fear and hiding. This question also highlights God's desire for intimacy and relationship with humanity, as expressed in Genesis 3:8.
Is God's question 'Where are you?' a sign of God's anger or frustration with Adam?
While God's question may seem confrontational, it is actually an expression of God's love and concern for Adam, as seen in the gentle and merciful way God interacts with Adam throughout the Genesis 3 narrative, such as in Genesis 3:11 where God asks Adam about his actions.
How does this verse relate to the concept of sin and hiding from God?
This verse illustrates the idea that sin causes us to hide from God, just as Adam and Eve hid among the trees in the garden, as described in Genesis 3:8. This concept is also seen in other parts of the Bible, such as Psalm 51:3, where David acknowledges his sin and cries out to God for mercy.
What does this verse reveal about God's character and nature?
This verse shows that God is a relational God who desires to interact with humanity and have a personal relationship with us, as seen in the way He calls out to Adam and engages in a conversation with him, similar to the way God walks with Enoch in Genesis 5:24.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I try to 'hide' from God, and how can I come out of hiding and into a deeper relationship with Him?
- How does God's question 'Where are you?' speak to my own experiences of feeling lost or disconnected from God?
- In what ways can I apply the concept of repentance and acknowledging my sin, as seen in Adam's response in Genesis 3:10, to my own life and relationship with God?
- What does this verse teach me about God's heart and desire for intimacy with humanity, and how can I respond to that desire in my own life?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 3:9
And the Lord God called unto Adam,.... The Jerusalem Targum is, the Word of the Lord God, the second Person in the Trinity; and this is the voice he is said to have heard before: and said unto him, where [art] thou?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 3:9
And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? The Lord God called unto Adam, where art thou?
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 3:9
The Lord God called with a loud voice: Thou whom I have so highly obliged, whither and wherefore dost thou run away from me, thy Friend and Father, whose presence was lately so sweet and acceptable to thee? In what place, or rather in what condition, art thou? What is the cause of this sudden and wonderful change? This he asks, not that he was ignorant of it, but to make way for the following sentence, and to set a pattern for all judges, that they should examine the offender, and inquire into the offence, before they proceed to punishment.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 3:9
Genesis 3:9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where [art] thou?Ver. 9. Where art thou?] Not as if God knew not; for he searcheth Jerusalem with lights; yea, himself is the "father of lights," the great eye of the world, to whom the sun itself is but a snuff. He hath "seven eyes upon one stone"; yea, "his eyes run to and fro through the earth"; and "all things are naked and open" - naked, for the outside, and open, for the inside - "before the eyes of Him with whom we have to deal." Simple men hide God from themselves, and then think they have hid themselves from God; like the struthiocamelus, they thrust their heads into a hole, when hunted, and then think none seeth them. But he "searcheth" - so one may do, yet not find - "and knoweth." "He seeth" - so one may do, yet not observe - "and pondereth." Though men hide their sins, as close as Rachel did her idols, or Rahab the spies; though they dig deep to hide their counsels, God can and will detect them, with a woe to boot. For "hell and destruction are before him"; how then can Saul think to be hid behind the stuff, or Adam behind the bush? At the voice of the Lord he must appear, will he, nill he, to give account of his fear, of his flight. This he doth (but untowardly) in the words following. Pliny
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 3:9
9–13. The Enquiry The certainty of tone with which the following questions are put indicates either perfect knowledge or accurate perception, and reduces the guilty man to a speedy confession. The questions are put, not to obtain information, but to give opportunity for self-examination and acknowledgment of guilt. The endeavour of the man and woman to put the blame on others is a lifelike trait.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 3:9
9. Where art thou — àéëä, where — thou? or, where (shall I find) thee? How is it that I must now search for thee, who hast been wont to watch for my coming, and hail it with delight?
Sermons on Genesis 3:9
| Sermon | Description | |
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A Missional Encounter by Jackie Pullinger | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Moses and the encounter with God on Mount Sinai. The people were afraid of approaching God because of His power and might. Howeve |
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(Hebrews - Part 9): What Is Man That Thou Art Mindful of Him? by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the wickedness of mankind and how our daily conduct is evidence of our guilt. He argues that anyone who doubts the fall of man and the iniqu |
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The Voice of God's Love by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of revelation and how it relates to our understanding of the human condition. He acknowledges that we already know that the creati |
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(Prophecy) Introduction to Prophecy by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the role of a prophet and the importance of being a seer, someone who sees and understands God's plans and purposes. The speaker emphasizes th |
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Help, I'm Stuck by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker shares a heartwarming story about his grandson playing a game called "Help, I'm stuck." He reflects on how this game mirrors his own prayer life, where |
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04 Building Fellowship as Husband & Wife by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of God's order in earthly families as a foundation for building the church. It contrasts the focus on family in the New Testament with the lac |
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Accepted by God by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having a passionate and persistent prayer life. He uses two parables from the Bible to illustrate this point. The first pa |