Genesis 2:16 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

God commanded the woman too, (as appears both from the permission for eating herbs and fruits given to her, together with her husband, Genesis 1:28-29, and from Genesis 3:1-3, and from Eve's punishment), and that either immediately, or by Adam, whom God enjoined to inform her thereof. Thou mayest freely eat; without offence to me, or hurt to thyself. The words in Hebrew have the form of a command, but are only a permission or indulgence, as 1 Corinthians 10:25-27.

Genesis 2:16

16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: