The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917], at sacred-texts.com
Genesis Chapter 3
The serpent
The serpent, in his Edenic form, is not to be thought of as a writhing reptile. That is the effect of the curse (Gen 3:14). The creature which lent itself to Satan may well have been the most beautiful as was the most "subtle" of creatures less than man. Traces of that beauty remain despite the curse. Every movement of a serpent is graceful, and many species are beautifully coloured. In the serpent, Satan first appeared as "an angel of light" (Co2 11:14).
And the Lord God said
The Adamic Covenant conditions the life of fallen man -- conditions which must remain till, in the kingdom age, "the creation also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the sons of God" (Rom 8:21). The elements of the Adamic Covenant are:
(1) The serpent, Satan's tool, is cursed (Gen 3:14), and becomes God's illustration in nature of the effects of sin -- from the most beautiful and subtle of creatures to a loathsome reptile! The deepest mystery of the atonement is intimated here. Christ, "made sin for us," in bearing our judgment, is typified by the brazen serpent; (Num 21:5-9); (Joh 3:14); (Co2 5:21). Brass speaks of judgment -- in the brazen altar, of God's judgment, and in the laver, of self-judgment.
(2) The first promise of a Redeemer (Gen 3:15). Here begins the "Highway of the Seed," Abel, Seth, Noah (Gen 6:8-10); Shem (Gen 9:26); (Gen 9:27); Abraham (Gen 12:1-4); Isaac (Gen 17:19-21) Jacob (Gen 28:10-14); Judah (Gen 49:10); David (Sa2 7:5-17) Immanuel-Christ; (Isa 7:9-14); (Mat 1:1); (Mat 1:20-23); (Jo1 3:8); (Joh 12:31).
(3) The changed state of the woman (Gen 3:16). In three particulars:
(a) Multiplied conception;
(b) motherhood linked with sorrow;
(c) the headship of the man (cf) (Gen 1:26); (Gen 1:27) The entrance of sin, which is disorder, makes necessary a headship, and it is vested in man; (Ti1 2:11-14); (Eph 5:22-25); (Co1 11:7-9).
(4) The earth cursed (Gen 3:17) for man's sake. It is better for fallen man to battle with a reluctant earth than to live without toil.
(5) The inevitable sorrow of life (Gen 3:17).
(6) The light occupation of Eden (Gen 2:15) changed to burdensome labour (Gen 3:18); (Gen 3:19).
(7) Physical death (Gen 3:19); (Rom 5:12-21);
See "Death (spiritual)" (Gen 2:17).
(See Scofield) - (Eph 2:5).
See for the other covenants:
EDENIC
(See Scofield) - (Gen 1:28).
NOAHIC
(See Scofield) - (Gen 9:1)
ABRAHAMIC
(See Scofield) - (Gen 15:18).
MOSAIC
(See Scofield) - (Exo 19:25)
PALESTINIAN
(See Scofield) - (Deu 30:3).
DAVIDIC
(See Scofield) - (Sa2 7:16).
NEW
(See Scofield) - (Heb 8:8).
thou shalt bruise his heel
The chain of references which begins here includes the promises and prophecies concerning Christ which were fulfilled in His birth and works at His first advent. See, for line of unfulfilled promises and prophecies:
"Christ (second advent)" (Deu 30:3).
(See Scofield) - (Act 1:11)
"Kingdom"; (Gen 1:26-28); (Zac 12:8)
"Kingdom (New Testament)"; (Luk 1:31); (Co1 15:28)
"Day of the Lord"; (Isa 2:10); (Rev 19:11).
return
death (physical).
(Gen 5:5); (Gen 3:19); (Heb 9:27).
Eve
That is, living, or life-giver.
coats of skins
Coats of skins: Type of "Christ, made unto us righteousness" -- a divinely provided garment that the first sinners might be made fit for God's presence.
See Righteousness, garment (Gen 3:21); (Rev 19:8).
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 (Gen 6:5) and the dispensation ended in the judgment of the Flood. Apparently "the east of the garden" (Gen 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
(See Scofield) - (Gen 1:28)
HUMAN GOVERNMENT
(See Scofield) - (Gen 8:21)
PROMISE
(See Scofield) - (Gen 12:1)
LAW
(See Scofield) - (Exo 19:8)
GRACE
(See Scofield) - (Joh 1:17)
KINGDOM
(See Scofield) - (Eph 1:10).
Cherubims
See note, (See Scofield) - (Eze 1:5).