Genesis3:16

Once again the grammatical construct is used where the same word is repeated in order to create emphasis. Most scholars feel that this multiplying is intended to describe the next two phrases, not just the first one. Both “conception,” which is interpreted in various ways, and labor and delivery will be difficult, troublesome or painful.

This word has the same root as the word for “pain” used in the next clause. It can be translated as “sorrow, toil, hardship or pain.”

The Hebrew says “hardship and conception” but most scholars agree that this is a literary device in which a phrase of two or three words is used to express one concept, or where one describes the other even though it is not an adjective. Examples in English would be “nice and warm,” or “good and angry.” The first part of the verse has been rendered by translators in a variety of ways. Usually they choose to turn its focus to the act of giving birth because of the word “pain or hardship.” But that is described in the next phrase. It seems best to me to either keep this phrase as a reference to the process of getting pregnant, or to the pregnancy as a whole, from start to finish. The latter is also communicated by the use of “bookends,” the first phrase points to the beginning of the process and the second points to the end of the same.

This word means “a strong desire, a running after with great intensity.” It describes something that is desired very much, but it does not qualify if it is a good thing or a bad thing being desired. The context here rules out the idea of sexual attraction, for it is a punishment that is being pronounced. There are two possibilities left. 1). The first is that she will never be fully independent of the man, but will always seek her sense of fulfillment in him. It is said that most females find their sense of worth and satisfaction, not in their business accomplishments or education, but in their relationship with their husband. In contrast, the man often finds his sense of worth and satisfaction in his accomplishments outside of the home. 2) The second possibility is more intense, showing a greater contrast. The context includes what she had just done, she had stepped out of her role as a helper, and had taken the lead in making a decision about the fruit, and then she led her husband into following her. For these reasons it seems best to translate it as “you will desire to dominate your husband.”

This word means to “dominate or rule.” The main point here is that she will not wish to remain under his leadership. In this statement God is not changing the original arrangement, rather He is indicating that her attitude toward that arrangement has been changed and it will remain changed. This means that there will be a continual struggle within her between what God has established and what she wants to do. Originally, she was created to be a helper, to play a supporting role, one that is very important, so much so that she will sometimes prove to be his rescuer. Originally there was a healthy balance of teamwork and cooperation. The team had a captain, and that was the man. The woman started out being happy to play the role she was given. However, that attitude changed, and the biblical narrative implies that it was due to the influence of the serpent and her following of his influence. At any rate, ever since the Garden of Eden, men have been tempted to go passive and women have been tempted to become domineering. Neither of these is what God designed, and neither one will produce good results in a marriage relationship.