NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living.
15 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Genesis 3:20 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living. <sup>Eve: Heb. Chavah: that is Living</sup>
21 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
The man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.
15 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Then the man — Adam — named his wife Eve, because she would be the mother of all who live.
20 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
The Man, known as Adam, named his wife Eve because she was the mother of all the living.
18 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Now the man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all [the] living.
17 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
15 words
KJV
21 words
ESV
15 words
NLT
20 words
MSG
18 words
NASB
17 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Genesis 3:20?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Genesis 3:20 in 6 translations: New International Version, King James Version, English Standard Version, New Living Translation, The Message, New American Standard Bible. Each uses a different translation philosophy — from word-for-word (KJV, ESV, NASB) to thought-for-thought (NIV, NLT) to paraphrase (MSG).
Which translation of Genesis 3:20 is best?
No single translation is "best" — it depends on your purpose. For deep study, use the ESV or NASB (word-for-word). For devotional reading, the NIV balances accuracy and readability. The NLT and MSG are excellent for understanding the general meaning in modern English. Comparing multiple translations helps grasp the full richness of the text.
What is the difference between literal and dynamic Bible translations?
Literal (formal equivalence) translations like KJV, ESV, and NASB translate word-for-word from the original Hebrew/Greek. Dynamic equivalence translations like NIV and NLT translate thought-for-thought for clarity. The MSG is a paraphrase that captures the spirit in contemporary language. Each approach has strengths — that's why comparing translations is valuable.