The Desire Of The Woman: Genesis 3:16 Revisited

Daniel K. Bediako, Phd, And Josiah B. Andor

Abstract

This paper sought to interpret tešûqâ as used in Gen 3:16 through an analysis of structure and clause functions within the pericope (3:14-19) and to relate the text to the theme of conflict. The study focused on the divine pronouncement against the woman (3:16) after the entrance of sin. As part of the pronouncement, God told the woman that her desire (tešûqâ) shall be against her husband but he shall rule (māšal) over her (3:16b). Placing 3:16b within the bigger structure, this study concludes that the woman’s “desire” (tešûqâ) and the man’s “rule” (māšal) in 3:16 occur in a context where the woman’s desire is to control the man, but the man was mandated to rule over her. This conclusion is further applied to the theme of conflict from a theological and practical perspective.