The mystery of the first sin

The Inner Logic

In Hebrew, the plural for “naked” isעֲרוּמִּים (arumim) and the word “cunning” in Genesis 3:1 isעָרוּם (arum) – they come from the same root. Why would the same root mean both naked and cunning? Moving from one stem to another; to be naked, to uncover, to be impudent, cunning – we discover that these words have a hidden connection in Hebrew. 
      

Spiritual Nakedness

Now we understand that it’s not physical, but spiritual nakedness that is first meant here: being outside of God’s covering. According to some Jewish commentaries, before Adam and Eve sinned, their bodies were clothed with light, because God Himself was their covering. However, when they sinned, they placed themselves outside God's covering, which is why they had to use garments – while the Serpent was outside of God’s covering from the very beginning. 
     

Discover the Hidden Treasures

Thus, for a Hebrew reader the word “naked” (arumim) in Genesis 2:25 immediately connects the couple with the “cunning” (arum), the nature of the serpent. This last sentence of Chapter 2 introduces the subsequent story of human disobedience—it’s an extremely important bridge, connecting one chapter to another in Hebrew, but disappearing in translation. Enroll in our course Discovering the Hebrew Bible and you will discover the hidden treasures of the Scriptures.