God’s Word for You

Genesis 3:20 Mother Eve

by Pastor Timothy Smith on Wednesday, September 23, 2026

20 The man gave his wife the name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.

This verse tells us so much more than that Adam gave his wife her name, and what it means. Adam’s place as head of the family did not end; his role continued, but it was flawed.

Now, Adam gave his wife a name. He had done this for the animals, at least according to their different kinds—deer, owl, trout, and so on. But now he did more for his wife than simply call her “woman.” He loved her, and he gave her a name all her own.

Her name, Eve (in Hebrew, closer to “Cheva”), means “living.” Some readers might recognize the Jewish toast, L’Chaim, pronounced “la chayim,” which means “to life!”

Adam explains the name: “Because she is the mother of all the living.” Adam, upon hearing the gospel that God proclaimed, had faith created anew in his heart, as did Eve. Luther explains, “It is clear from this passage that after Adam had received the Holy Spirit (that is, along with his faith), he had become marvelously enlightened, and that he believed and also understood the saying concerning the woman’s Seed who would crush the head of the serpent. Moreover, he wanted to give an outward indication of this faith of his and lend distinction to it by means of his wife’s name” (LW 1:220).

We see that although the sentence of death was only just repeated, “For dust you are, and to dust you shall return,” Adam shows his faith in the promise of the coming Savior. He and his wife would live long enough to conceive children and raise their family. For without their own sons and daughters, there would be no future husbands and wives to carry out the command to be fruitful and multiply, nor a family from which the promised Savior would come.

Eve would be the mother of all mankind, both the righteous and the unrighteous. It is right for us to remember and honor her. According to Moses, she was still having children when she was 130 years old (Genesis 4:25, 5:3). We will consider how that could possibly have been the case when we meditate on those verses, but we know that God gave the ancient patriarchs very long lives, much longer than the longest lives today. And to have enjoyed such long lives, they must also have enjoyed excellent and vibrant health (and they were not plagued with such modern, er, conveniences such as tobacco and caffeine).

Eve’s name stands before the sentence of death, but not in defiance. Eve’s name stands as a confession of faith, a reminder to Adam and Eve and a reminder to us that there is something more than death at the end of our existence. There is also the resurrection to eternal life for those with faith. Where there is sin, there is death. That was God’s threat and that stands as God’s judgment and punishment. But where there is forgiveness (which really means “to pardon” or “to grant release”), then the sentence of death is lifted and removed. Now we know from experience that people with faith nevertheless perish on this earth, but if death is removed, then it must follow that the dead will be raised from death. This is the promise, expressed over and over again in Scripture, even going back to Abraham and Job (Genesis 22:5; Job 19:25-27), that we will rise from the dead and live once again. Paul teaches us, “That is why it is said, ‘Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you” (Ephesians 5:14). We forgiven children of God will rise to everlasting life, and mother Eve’s name reminds us of that comforting news.

In Christ,
Pastor Timothy Smith

 

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