20. And Adam called his wife's name Eve;] He had before called her "woman" as her common name, or a name for her and all her sex, because she was taken out of man: and now he called her Eve, because he had found she was still to be "the mother of all living." Before CHRIST 4004. to bad. Their first clothing : and casting out of Paradise. wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
31. — did the Lord God make coats of skins.] This is not to be understood literally. God is frequently said to do that which is done by His order and approbation. Dr. Kennicott.
It is probable that they were the skins of beasts slain in sacrifice, which was then first instituted in ratification of the gracious covenant, just made by God with our first parents; and which was intended the better to represent to them their guilt, and that the promised Seed should vanquish the devil, and redeem them by shedding His blood. Bp. Patrick.
— coats of skins.] Skins have been worn as clothing by many nations; the Tartars, the Hungarians, the Laplanders, the Finlanders, the Russians, still wear skins or furs; the ancient heroes of Greece and of Asia covered themselves with the spoils of lions, of tigers, and wild animals; while the ancient Germans wore short coats of sheep-skins. A skin in its natural state is an effectual defence against both heat and cold; and for duration nothing surpasses it. Script. illustr. Expos. 1.