Who
The first woman, formed from Adam’s side, whom he called Eve “because she would be the mother of all the living” (Genesis 3:20). Deceived by the serpent, she took the forbidden fruit and gave it to her husband, and with him lost the grace in which they were made. Yet God promised enmity between the serpent and “the woman”, and that her offspring would crush its head (Genesis 3:15). From Justin Martyr and Irenaeus on, the Fathers set Mary beside her as the new Eve: “the knot of Eve’s disobedience was loosed by the obedience of Mary” (Irenaeus, Against Heresies III.22.4).
Key verses
- Genesis 3:15
I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel.”
- Genesis 3:20
The man called his wife Eve because she would be the mother of all the living.
- Genesis 4:1
The man knew Eve his wife. She conceived, and gave birth to Cain, and said, “I have gotten a man with the LORD’s help.”
Where the Bible names her
Named 5 times in 4 books.
- ✓ In the deuterocanon, which the verse index does not cover: found in the text and checked by hand.
Verse index: TIPNR, STEPBible.org (Tyndale House), CC BY 4.0.
Family
- Husband
Discussed by
Comments on the verses that name her (8 of 55).
- Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata, or Miscellanies Book 3
Ac Valentiniani quidem, qui desuper ex divinis emissionibus deduxere conjugationes, acceptum habent matrimonium: Basilidis autem sectatores, “Cum interrogassent, inquiunt, apostoli, nun sit melius uxorem non ducere,…
- Athanasius of Alexandria, Against the Arians II.1
Chapter XIV.—Texts explained; Fourthly, Hebrews iii. 2 Introduction; the Regula Fidei counter to an Arian sense of the text; which is not supported by the word ‘servant,’ nor by ‘made’ which occurs in it; (how can…
- Gregory of Nazianzus, Orations Oration 2
Introduction to Oration II. It is generally agreed that this oration was not intended for oral delivery. Its object was to explain and defend S. Gregory’s recent conduct, which had been severely criticised by his…
- Hippolytus of Rome, Exegetical Fragments §2
On Genesis. Gen. i. 5 And it was evening, and it was morning, one day. Hippolytus. He did not say “night and day,” but “one day,” with reference to the name of the light. He did not say the “first day;” for if he had…
- Tertullian, An Answer to the Jews Chapter 2
The Law Anterior to Moses. Stand we, therefore, foot to foot, and determine we the sum and substance of the actual question within definite lists. For why should God, the founder of the universe, the Governor of the…
- Ephrem the Syrian, Nineteen Hymns on the Nativity of Christ in the Flesh Hymn 3
Blessed be that first day of thine, Lord, wherewith this day of Thy Feast is stamped! Thy day is like Thee, in that it shows mercy unto men, in that it is handed down and comes with all generations. This is the day…
- Basil the Great, On the Holy Spirit Chapter 4
That v: not found “of whom” in the case of the Son and of the Spirit. That “through whom” is said also in the case of the Father, and “of whom” in the case of the Son and of the Spirit. 7. After thus describing the…
- Tertullian, On the Apparel of Women I.5
Of Precious Stones and Pearls. But, in the next place, what am I to interpret those jewels to be which vie with gold in haughtiness, except little pebbles and stones and paltry particles of the self-same earth; but…