What Does Enmity Mean in the Bible — In Biblical Context
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)
The Biblical Context
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.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Genesis 3:15, sits inside Genesis 3. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"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."
Supporting Passages
"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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