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Book of Genesis - Chapter 3 - Verse 15

3:15
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Meaning

Genesis 3:15 speaks of the consequences of the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. God, addressing the serpent, predicts a perpetual conflict between the serpent and the woman, as well as between their descendants. This enmity symbolizes the ongoing battle between good and evil, with the serpent representing Satan and sin, while the woman represents humanity. The verse also alludes to the eventual victory of the woman's seed over the serpent, foreshadowing the triumph of Jesus Christ over Satan. Despite suffering a wound (bruised heel), the seed of the woman will deliver a fatal blow to the serpent (bruised head), indicating the ultimate defeat of evil. This verse is foundational for understanding the promise of a savior who will redeem humanity and conquer sin, providing hope for the deliverance of all who put their trust in God.

Theological Overview

Many theologians see this verse, found in Genesis 3:15, as the first prophecy of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. The enmity between the serpent (Satan) and the woman represents the ongoing spiritual battle between good and evil throughout human history. The mention of "her seed" is significant as it refers to the virgin birth of Jesus, making him the seed of the woman without an earthly father. The phrase "it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel" is often interpreted as a foreshadowing of Jesus' victory over Satan through his death on the cross and subsequent resurrection. In this interpretation, Jesus deals a fatal blow to Satan's power while only suffering a temporary wound himself. This verse sets the stage for the ultimate defeat of evil through the redemptive work of Jesus, offering hope and redemption to all who believe in him.

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