
Two days after Christmas, as I began to plan out my intentions and goals for how I wanted my 2025 to look like for my all around well being, and of course for the new content on my blog, with help from the holy spirit
Quickly, I felt a prompt in my spirit to read the enter bible, with the intention of seeing how each book in the bible has the ability to still point us to Jesus, and how I can learn about myself in light of who God is.
So, I’ve began with the book of Genesis, and this post will be specifically referencing chapter 3 vs 15, a foundational verse in the Bible that contains a profound prophecy, rich with theological significance.
It is spoken by God as part of His judgment on the serpent, after the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
In this verse, God declares: “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
(Genesis 3:15, NIV)
At first glance, this might seem like an obscure reference to the ongoing conflict between humanity and the serpent, but as we read it in the context of Scripture, it unfolds as the first promise of redemption through Jesus Christ.
In this post, I will attempt to explore the layers of meaning in Genesis 3:15, its connection to the broader narrative of Scripture, and how it points forward to the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and Satan.
Where It All Began
To understand the significance of Genesis 3:15, we must first recall the tragic events that led up to this verse.
Adam and Eve, created in perfect fellowship with God, were placed in the Garden of Eden with one command: “Do not eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil”.
However, they were deceived by the serpent who we then see identified later in Revelation 12vs 9 as Satan, and in an act of disobedience, they ate from the tree, resulting in the fall of all humanity.
Their act of rebellion brought devastating consequences: Adam and Eve’s eyes were opened to their nakedness and guilt, and they experienced shame and fear for the first time.
Their relationship with God was broken, and sin entered the world, bringing with it death and suffering.
The serpent, who had led them into sin, was cursed by God.
It is in the midst of this curse that God makes the promise found in Genesis 3:15, often understood as the first glimmer of hope in the Bible; which reads
“I Will Put Enmity Between You and the Woman”
The first part of God’s pronouncement is that He will put enmity between the serpent and the woman, and between their offspring.
The “serpent” here symbolizes Satan, the tempter, and the embodiment of evil and rebellion against God.
The “woman” likely represents Eve, but as Scripture unfolds, we come to see that this “woman” is also symbolic of humanity.
The hostility or enmity that God declares between the serpent and the woman, is not just about personal conflict between Eve and the literal serpent
But a broader spiritual conflict between the forces of evil and humanity, particularly us the descendants of Eve.
This enmity begins with the fallout of the fall itself, as sin and evil enter the world.
The serpent will always be at odds with humanity, tempting, accusing, and leading us into sin.
Yet, even in this curse, there is a promise of eventual victory; a victory that will come through the offspring of the woman.
The offspring of a woman of in this context, the seed of a woman is significant because unlike the “seed of the man”, it implies that a supernatural conception, a direct reference to the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, who ultimately would fulfil this prophesy.
This seed of the woman is the one who will engage in a battle with the serpent, a battle that is seen as a cosmic struggle between Christ and Satan throughout scripture.

“He Will Crush Your Head, and You Will Strike His Heel”
The second part of the verse contains the heart of the promise: “He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” This is a powerful prophetic statement that points to the ultimate victory over evil as Jesus Christ will then come and fulfil this prophesy.
- Crushing the Head of the Serpent: The imagery of a head being crushed is a symbol of total defeat and destruction. The “He” in this statement is understood by Christian tradition to refer to the “offspring” of the woman, a male descendant who would rise up to defeat the serpent. As we see in the New Testament, this “He” is Jesus Christ. The crushing of the serpent’s head signifies the final and decisive victory of Jesus over Satan and evil, a victory that would be secured at the cross and finalized in His resurrection.
- Striking the Heel: The second part of the prophecy, that the serpent will strike the heel of the offspring, signifies that the serpent will wound the Savior, but the wound will not be fatal. This is a direct reference to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, where Satan seemed to triumph by orchestrating the death of Jesus on the cross. However, this wound, though painful, is not a defeat for Jesus; it is part of God’s redemptive plan. Jesus would rise from the dead, triumphing over death and Satan, and providing the means of salvation for all humanity that chose to believe in Him.
The “First Gospel” and Its Fulfillment in Christ
After doing some research, I’ve to find that Genesis 3:15 is often called the “Protoevangelium” by the theologians because it is the first hint of the gospel of salvation.
From the moment of the fall, God begins to reveal His plan for redemption.
Rather than leaving humanity in hopelessness and despair, God promises that one day the serpent, who represents evil, temptation, and sin, will be utterly defeated by the “offspring” of the woman (Mary).
This prophecy is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who, as the Seed of the woman, was born of Mary, lived a sinless life, and through His death on the cross, crushed the head of Satan, defeating the power of sin and death.
The apostle John writes about this victory in 1 John 3:8:“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” NIV
In His resurrection, Jesus vindicates this promise, showing that even though the serpent “struck His heel” through the crucifixion, He would rise again, crushing Satan’s power and securing eternal life for all who believe in Him.
As the book of Revelation confirms, this victory over the serpent is complete: Satan is defeated, and the people of God are ultimately victorious in Christ (Revelation 20:10).
The Ongoing Spiritual Battle
While Genesis 3:15 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the enmity between the serpent and the woman, and between their respective offspring, continues throughout history.
The church, as the spiritual offspring of the woman, still faces opposition from the forces of evil.
In Revelation 12, we see a symbolic portrayal of this battle between the woman (symbolizing Israel and the church) and the dragon (Satan), who attempts to devour her child (Jesus) but is thwarted by God’s intervention.
This ongoing conflict reminds us that we are still in a spiritual battle, but the victory has already been secured by Jesus.
As believers, we can stand firm in the confidence that Satan’s ultimate defeat is assured, and our victory in Christ is secure.
As Paul writes in Romans 16:20:“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” NIV.

The Hope of Final Victory
Genesis 3:15 not only promises that Christ would defeat Satan, but it also gives us hope for the ultimate restoration of all things.
The final and full crushing of Satan’s head will come when Christ returns in glory, casting out sin, death, and evil forever.
In Revelation 21:4 NIV, we read: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
The victory that began in Genesis 3:15 and was secured at the cross will be fully realized in the new heavens and new earth. Evil will be no more, and the eternal peace of God will reign forever.
The Gospel in the Beginning
So, when we now read Genesis 3:15, let us now keep in mind that it is not just a verse about the fall of humanity, but a promise of redemption that echoes throughout Scripture.
It marks the first whisper of the gospel, the first declaration that God has a plan to overcome evil and restore His creation.
This promise finds its ultimate fulfillment in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who crushed the serpent’s head and secured victory over sin and death.
As we reflect on this verse, we are reminded of God’s incredible grace and faithfulness. From the very beginning, He had a plan to save us.
The gospel was not an afterthought; it was God’s purpose from the foundation of the world.
Genesis 3:15 gives us hope, not only for our present struggles but also for the final victory that is ours in Christ.
The serpent may strike, but in the end, Christ triumphs. And in Him, we share in that triumph as well.
I’ve been reading through the Bible, and this really spoke to me after just reading it this month! Thank you for digging deep and pointing us to the good news!
Wow,. I started a one year Bible reading plan and read Genesis already but never saw that scripture this way. Thanks for this revelation. The devil may strike but in the end Christ triumph. Hallelujah…..