Question:
Dr. Lindstrom In Genesis 3:16 the last part of the verse states “and thy desire shall be to thy husband”. I have heard several Pastors say that the word “desire” does not mean wanting your husband but they say it means that the woman wants to rule over her husband. I have tried to research this in Strong’s Concordance but can only find it saying what one would think the word desire means “wanting her husband”. What is your understanding on this word “desire” used in this context. Thank You so much for your help and your ministry on the radio. Jay
Answer:
The king James Version Study Bible gives several options: Thy desire has been variously interpreted: (1) a physical desire strong enough to compensate for the pain of childbirth; (2) her natural desire to submit to her husband’s leadership; or (3) perhaps a desire “against” her husband in not being willing to submit to him because of her fallen sinful nature (cf. Eph. 5:22; 1 Tim. 3:4, 11). The word for “desire” is used only three times in the Bible. Its proper etymology in Hebrew would be “control,” “to urge, drive on, impel.” According to Edward William Lane, An English Lexicon, Bk. 1. P1. 4. London, William and Norgate. 1872). p? 1470. This is sometimes today referred to as the “Battle of the sexes.”