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What is the Significance of Adams and Eves Nakedness?

Skwim

Veteran Member
Tlaloc said:
One could possibly argue the realisation of nakedness is to be exposed to the realities of the human state and our eventual physical mortality.
But the reality at the time, before they bit the apple, was that it was what it was, and supposedly there was no physical mortality.

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Buttercup said:
What I find interesting about Adam and Eve's nakedness is that yes, it is a metaphor for their innocence. However, once they sinned by eating the forbidden fruit, they felt shame by their nakedness. How crappy is that? Not a great way for a "parent" to instill good feelings about one's body, is it?
Good point.

God had warned them this would happen.

''We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat of it, nor shall you touch it, lest ye die.'" Genesis 3:2, 3
As if they had any idea what dying consisted of.

Seems a rather harsh penalty for disobedience.
Yup, which goes to show that those who concocted they tale weren't concerned with its logic.

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Terrywoodenpic said:
There is no reason to suppose that nakedness nor clothes had any thing to do with modesty,and certainly not anything to do with God.
Sure there is. We're told that having eaten the apple they were ashamed of their nudity.

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Katzpur said:
I believe it has to do with their sexual innocence. And by "innocence" I don't mean that they'd never had sex; I mean that they didn't even realize they were naked. In other words, their sexual feelings had not matured. They were not sexually drawn to one another. It was not until after they ate the forbidden fruit that they became sexually aware and sexually active.
Are you implying that had they not eaten the apple they would never of had sex? That they would be the first and last humans?

The Bible doesn't say they were ashamed, though, does it?
Genesis 3:7 (NLT)
"At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves."
Besides in Genesis 2:25 the matter of shame is conspicuously put on the table.
"The man and his wife were naked, but they were not ashamed."
Which is obviously laying the groundwork for their later state of shamefulness.

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savagewind said:
A naked body you can see. Clothes cause a covering of it so you can't see it. A naked mind you can see. God clothed the mind so now you can't see it. Can you read minds? How do you know it was never possible or that it isn't possible?
What's this "it" you speak of?
 

savagewind

Veteran Member
Premium Member
What's this "it" you speak of?
It is the body you can't see when the body has enough clothes on it. It is the mindful opinion you can't see when the mind has a guard on it. My mind is guarded and I am sure most people's minds are guarded. Where did the guard come from?
 

Around

New Member
I'm guessing it was an attempt by early humans to explain to themselves why they were clothed. We can understand that humans needed protection from the elements, and pockets, and adornment for mating, etc. and so evolved a propensity to be concerned with attire. But they didn't know about that. This was them explaining that concern to themselves with a just-so story.




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Aman777

Bible Believer
Is there any more or greater significance to Adams and Eves nakedness than that it represents their innocence?

For instance, in the Gilgamesh epic, one of the characters is introduced as a wild man who runs around naked. Later, his wildness is brought to an end by his having sex with a woman. So, it would seem that his nakedness might have had something to do with his sexual innocence. Or perhaps, it had more to do with his lack of being civilized. Different interpretations seem possible.

So, is there more than one interpretation for the nakedness of Adam and Eve? If so, what are the interpretations?

Dear Sunstone, Adam lived with Jesus for Billions of years before Eve was made. Notice that she was the last creature fashioned by the Hands of Jesus. He knew that Adam would sin because of his love for her. Adam lived in an indestructable body with a Shekinah Glory, like that of Jesus, which surrounded he and Eve. The Glory or Brightness hid the immortal bodies of Adam and Eve, from the world.

When they sinned, they lost their Shekinah Glory and for the first time, knew that they were naked for they had lost their covering Glory. Exactly like the sons of God (prehistoric people) who evolved from the water, Adam and Eve, without their glory, were identical to the creatures of flesh, who evolved from the common ancestor of Apes. The only difference was their intelligence level which was like God's. Gen 3:22

Today, they are with Jesus, for BOTH were "Created" in God's Image, or born again, Spiritually, in Christ, at the SAME time. Gen 1:27 and Gen 5:1-2 Soon, they will again be in their immortal bodies with a Shekinah Glory like that of Jesus. God Bless you.

In Love,
Aman
 

Pegg

Jehovah our God is One
Is there any more or greater significance to Adams and Eves nakedness than that it represents their innocence?

For instance, in the Gilgamesh epic, one of the characters is introduced as a wild man who runs around naked. Later, his wildness is brought to an end by his having sex with a woman. So, it would seem that his nakedness might have had something to do with his sexual innocence. Or perhaps, it had more to do with his lack of being civilized. Different interpretations seem possible.

So, is there more than one interpretation for the nakedness of Adam and Eve? If so, what are the interpretations?

all the animals in the garden of Eden were naked too....and they still are.

;)
 

sojourner

Annoyingly Progressive Since 2006
Is there any more or greater significance to Adams and Eves nakedness than that it represents their innocence?

For instance, in the Gilgamesh epic, one of the characters is introduced as a wild man who runs around naked. Later, his wildness is brought to an end by his having sex with a woman. So, it would seem that his nakedness might have had something to do with his sexual innocence. Or perhaps, it had more to do with his lack of being civilized. Different interpretations seem possible.

So, is there more than one interpretation for the nakedness of Adam and Eve? If so, what are the interpretations?
Since there were no clothes, there were no male models, and thus no one to commit assassinations in the name of fashion. Once male models entered the scene, our innocence was done...
 

Skwim

Veteran Member
It is the body you can't see when the body has enough clothes on it. It is the mindful opinion you can't see when the mind has a guard on it. My mind is guarded and I am sure most people's minds are guarded. Where did the guard come from?
Thanks for answering, and sorry for bothering you. For whatever reason my mind missed the obvious, leading to my stupid question. :facepalm:
 

dgirl1986

Big Queer Chesticles!
I always thought it was a bit dodgy that after eating the fruit that gave them knowledge they felt naked and hid their nudity from god. Doesnt that kinda point to ....oh I dunno....inappropriateness?
 

Ingledsva

HEATHEN ALASKAN
Does a loin cloth seriously help protect from cold weather? Although remote tribes may still wear loin cloths today, I don't think they help much with inclement weather. My guess is they're worn for other reasons.
Maybe you could clarify your view on the book of Genesis a little for me. It's been a few years since I've posted with regularity and I'm afraid I don't remember your views on bible literacy. :)

If you acknowledge that Adam and Eve are humankind's starting point via the Old Testament scripture, wouldn't you also have to accept scripture that before the fruit eating they were not ashamed of their nakedness but after they were ashamed?


Even today in mostly naked tribes, it is the male that covers his dangling penis. Women often wear nothing but a decorative belt or necklace.

My guess is that protection from brush - leads to penis coverings of some kind or other.


*
 

Ingledsva

HEATHEN ALASKAN
Dear Sunstone, Adam lived with Jesus for Billions of years before Eve was made. Notice that she was the last creature fashioned by the Hands of Jesus. He knew that Adam would sin because of his love for her. Adam lived in an indestructable body with a Shekinah Glory, like that of Jesus, which surrounded he and Eve. The Glory or Brightness hid the immortal bodies of Adam and Eve, from the world.

When they sinned, they lost their Shekinah Glory and for the first time, knew that they were naked for they had lost their covering Glory. Exactly like the sons of God (prehistoric people) who evolved from the water, Adam and Eve, without their glory, were identical to the creatures of flesh, who evolved from the common ancestor of Apes. The only difference was their intelligence level which was like God's. Gen 3:22

Today, they are with Jesus, for BOTH were "Created" in God's Image, or born again, Spiritually, in Christ, at the SAME time. Gen 1:27 and Gen 5:1-2 Soon, they will again be in their immortal bodies with a Shekinah Glory like that of Jesus. God Bless you.

In Love,
Aman


WHAT? It doesn't say anything about a billion years.

Also, if you look at the Adam and Chavvah story in the Hebrew, you will find they are one being - that is split apart for procreation purposes. She is NOT created last, or from a rib, etc.



*
 

Ingledsva

HEATHEN ALASKAN
Shalom Sunstone, I personally believe that Adam and Eve were created just as ALL humans, with an inclination to sin, and their nakedness indicates this. It was after they gave in to sin, and it's desire, that they REALIZED their nakedness/sinfulness. They did not BECOME naked after sinning, and Elohim even asked, "Who told thee that thou [wast] naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?" Their eyes or understanding was OPENED to realize their naked or sinful condition, and they wanted to cover it, just as all sinners want to try to do when they sin, they want to cover it up. Well, that is my take on it. Blessings in The Name, ImAHebrew.


I don't agree with this.


I don't think their blissful nakedness represents a sinful nature.


They eat from a tree of the KNOWLEDGE of right and wrong, representing opposites.


Gen 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

They lived in a state of "right," - and not until they ate of the tree of Knowledge of "opposites" did they have a sense of "naked," also having negative connotations.


They lived in the state of "life" and found the opposite "death" only after eating of the Tree of KNOWLEDGE of "opposites."


A lot of ancient religions teach that for creation you must have opposites.


One something, becomes opposites, a male and female force, which come together to create reality, the universe, etc.


In these religions, ONE always splits into two, which then have the ability to CREATE.


*
 

Desert Snake

Veteran Member
What I find interesting about Adam and Eve's nakedness is that yes, it is a metaphor for their innocence. However, once they sinned by eating the forbidden fruit, they felt shame by their nakedness. How crappy is that? Not a great way for a "parent" to instill good feelings about one's body, is it?

"And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons." Genesis 3:7 KJV

Yeah, well, Eve wasn't supposed to eat of the fruit.

Funny, we have freewill then everyone places the blame elsewhere.:thud:

Weird thing is that it's often non-xians who seem really intent on the 'no-freewill' idea, even though it has no backing from science or rational thought, you have to wonder why, I don't go around blaming Thor for sending rain while I'm pitnicking.
 
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Buttercup

Veteran Member
Yeah, well, Eve wasn't supposed to eat of the fruit.

Funny, we have freewill then everyone places the blame elsewhere.:thud:

Weird thing is that it's often non-xians who seem really intenet on the 'no-freewill' idea, even though it has no backing from science or rational thought, you have to wonder why, I don't go around blaming Thor for sending rain while I'm pitnicking.

'Can you pass the cheese?? yes the white...thanx/...'
I have no problem with the Christian definition of free will. I lived it for 25 years and understand it very well. But, you're missing the elephant in the room...Sure, God told them not to eat the fruit and they did. Was the punishment just? I don't think so. I have four kids and they did many a thing wrong through the years. I can't imagine punishing them with death because they broke a lamp.
 

Thief

Rogue Theologian
I see the garden as a petri dish.
The alteration Of Man's body and spirit would be a very controlled effort.

I don't see the 'choice' as a booby trap.

Yes they were told.....'do not'....
They did.

The choice they made gave indication Man would be that creature desiring knowledge even as death is pending.

This characteristic is needed in that hour of your last breath.
If you care not to 'see'.....maybe then....you won't.

Dead men don't see....or hear...or touch.
They just lay in their graves and rot.
 

Glaurung

Denizen of Niflheim
Skwim said:
But the reality at the time, before they bit the apple, was that it was what it was, and supposedly there was no physical mortality.

Christian teaching has it that the fallen state of this world is a consequence of sin. The Genesis account describes the introduction of sin into this word and the consequences thus suffered by everything subject to this world which includes suffering, the susceptibility towards personal sin, (for humans) and ultimately death.

Regardless, since the question of this thread is concerned with the possible interpretations of the nakedness of Adam and Eve, and not the validity of the story itself, your objection is irrelevant.
 
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Pegg

Jehovah our God is One
I always thought it was a bit dodgy that after eating the fruit that gave them knowledge they felt naked and hid their nudity from god. Doesnt that kinda point to ....oh I dunno....inappropriateness?

Yes it does, but only to the inappropriateness of their own thoughts... not of their nakedness.
 

Ken Brown

Well-Known Member
I don't agree with this. (Eventually, that will change.)

I don't think their blissful nakedness represents a sinful nature. (The Scriptures are very clear, nakedness represents sinfulness, just check them out and you will see.)

They eat from a tree of the KNOWLEDGE of right and wrong, representing opposites. (To be sure, right and wrong are opposites, but prior to committing an act of disobedience, Adam and Eve lacked the KNOWLEDGE of knowing about those opposites.)

Gen 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

They lived in a state of "right," - and not until they ate of the tree of Knowledge of "opposites" did they have a sense of "naked," also having negative connotations.

They lived in the state of "life" and found the opposite "death" only after eating of the Tree of KNOWLEDGE of "opposites."

A lot of ancient religions teach that for creation you must have opposites.

One something, becomes opposites, a male and female force, which come together to create reality, the universe, etc.

In these religions, ONE always splits into two, which then have the ability to CREATE.*
Shalom Ingledsva, you are very close to understanding about opposites. Elohim purposely created Adam and Eve to be OPPOSITE from Him, so that He could eventually create the SPIRITUAL Man and Woman, Yeshua and His Bride. The carnal man and woman HAD to be first, and the carnal man and woman were created NAKED, and that nakedness shows or represents their carnal or sinful nature. But the Spiritual Man and Woman are not found to be unclothed, or in a naked state, they are clothed in righteousness and truth, and that produces Eternal Life, not the death as to what Adam and Eve's nakedness produced. So we are pretty close in agreeing about opposites being used to create. Blessings in The Name, ImAHebrew.
 

`mud

Just old
Premium Member
Why would Adam and Eve know that 'death' existed, have they seen any death occur.
How many serpents that talked, appear in genisis, or how many at all ?
Since 'God' created the two of them, and was familiar with their nakedness, of what were they 'ashamed' ?
I can see where they were aware of committing a sin, but where did 'God' tell them what sin was.
'God' simply said: 'take and eat not of the fruit in the inner forest..' and warned of death, also did not explain it's meaning.
Goes with sentence one doesn't it, the commands are as simple as the meanings, pure childish mythology.
Where in genisis was sexual coitus mentioned for the first time ?
I guess Moses didn't need to include any instructions, except for the 'death' thing.
All over the eating of a peice of fruit, childish thinking from a childish mind !
~
nuff stuff
~
'mud
 
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