What Does Enmity Mean in the Bible?
What Does Enmity Mean in the Bible? Enmity means deep hostility or opposition — most famously the hostility God placed between the serpent and the woman in Genesis 3:15.
Key verse: Genesis 3:15 (KJV)
Enmity means deep hostility or opposition — most famously the hostility God placed between the serpent and the woman in Genesis 3:15.
Enmity means deep hostility or opposition — most famously the hostility God placed between the serpent and the woman in Genesis 3:15.
"And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." — Genesis 3:15 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
The word enmity in Scripture describes profound hostility, hatred, or opposition between two parties. The first and most significant use is in Genesis 3:15, where God declares enmity between the serpent and the woman, and between their seeds — the first prophecy of the Messiah's victory over Satan. The New Testament uses the word to describe the natural state of unredeemed humanity toward God: the carnal mind is 'enmity against God.' Paul also speaks of friendship with the world as enmity with God. The cross is the place where enmity is abolished — Christ reconciles sinners to God and breaks down the wall between Jew and Gentile.
Key Scripture References
"And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."
"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."
"Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances... and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby."
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Frequently asked questions
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Deep Dive Commentary
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Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Genesis. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Genesis on day 11 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
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