The First “Woman” of Creation: Queen Mother Eve (Genesis 1-3)

The first in a series of modest expansions on notes of Dr. Brant Pitre.


1. Some Characteristics of Eve
a. Created without Sin (along with Adam)
b. Queen over Creation (Gen 1:26-28)
Then God said: Let us make human beings in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the tame animals, all the wild animals, and all the creatures that crawl on the earth. God created mankind in his image; in the image of God he created them; male and female* he created them.  God blessed them and God said to them: Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it.* Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that crawl on the earth.
c. Called “Woman” Before the Fall (Gen 2:22, 23, 3:2, 4, etc.)
The LORD God then built the rib that he had taken from the man into a woman.  When he brought her to the man, the man said: “This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; This one shall be called ‘woman,’ for out of man this one has been taken.”
The woman answered the snake: “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden;
But the snake said to the woman: “You certainly will not die!
d. Brought Death into the World (Sirach 25:24)
With a woman sin had a beginning, and because of her we all die.
e. Named “Eve” (havah): “Mother of all the Living (hayah)” (Gen 3:20)
The man gave his wife the name “Eve,” because she was the mother of all the living.

2. The Fall:
a. Characters:
1. an angel (i.e., the Serpent, either the animal possessed by Satan, or Satan appearing as a serpant)
2. a woman;
3. a man
b. Woman “with” the Man brings death/suffering into the world (Gen 3:6)
The woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and the tree was desirable for gaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.


3. The Future “Woman”: The Protoevangelium (Gen 3:15)
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; They will strike at your head, while you strike at their heel.
a. Enmity between the Serpent and “the Woman” (not Eve)
b. Enmity between the “seed” of Satan and “seed” of the Woman
c. Who Crushes the Serpent?
1. The Woman (“She shall crush” Douay Rheims)
2. Her Seed/Offspring (“He shall crush” NAB)
3. Either Way: a royal action of Future King or Queen (Psalm 89:23; 110:1-2)
No enemy shall outwit him, nor shall the wicked defeat him.
“Sit at my right hand, while I make your enemies your footstool.” The scepter of your might:the LORD extends your strong scepter from Zion. Have dominion over your enemies!