Women in the book of genesis
Women in the book of genesisThe Women of Genesis: Root of All Evil
In the Book of Genesis, the New Revised Standard Version, women play a very significant behind-the-scenes role in many of the events that affect the main characters. One of the most representative themes in the book shows man's view of woman by the role women play in almost every episode. They are often depicted as deceiving seductresses, causing more trouble than they are worth. Probably the most monumental of events is that of the creation of Adam and Eve and the temptation of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Almost immediately in the beginning of the book, woman stirs up trouble and dooms all mankind. It is almost inevitable that the women created after such a tragedy should follow in Eve's footsteps. Eve did not necessarily condemn herself and Adam and all humans to come by deceit or seduction. Her evil wrongdoing came in the form of temptation. As the serpent presented the option of tasting the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, Eve became full of pride in believing she could be like God with this wisdom, (Genesis 3:5). When God found Adam and Eve hiding from him and asked him if he ate from the tree, Adam's reply was that Eve gave him the fruit and he ate. He did not take sole responsibility for eating the fruit but made sure to point out that it was the woman's idea to eat it. Even the punishments given out to the three violators illuminate the guiltiest of sinners. God punishes Adam by making him have to work for all his food and punishes the serpent by causing conflict between him and man. But the punishment of woman seems to be the most severe. To Eve, He condemns painful, hard child births and leaves her to be ruled by her husband, (Genesis 3:16). The solemn harshness of Eve's punishment suggests that even God is most displeased with the woman. The story of Abraham and Sarah also depicts woman as a troublemaker. This time it is woman's beauty that stirs up trouble for man. Abraham fears for his life because of his wife's comeliness, (Genesis 12:11-12). He resorts to lying in order to save his own life. He realizes his wife's beauty is something to be admired by all men; men that will kill to have her. Then after he lies to save his life he is reprimanded twice for trying to camouflage her as his sister. Abraham gets kicked out of Egypt when pharaoh learns that Sarah is his wife. Later, when Abraham and Sarah travel to Gerar and King Abimalech takes Sarah, God warns the king of his impending doom. Sarah causes trouble yet again. Genesis 20:18 says, "for the Lord had closed fast all the wombs of the...
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