3:7 naked. The sudden recognition of their nakedness indicates the realization of Adam and Eve that their descendants, as well as themselves, would suffer the effects of this original sin. The ability and instruction to be fruitful, given by God as a unique blessing, now would also convey the curse of sin and death. Adam was the federal head of the human race, and it was “through the offence of one many be dead” (Romans 5:15).

3:7 fig leaves. The hasty fabrication of fig leaf aprons might conceal their procreative organs from each other, but could hardly hide their sin from God. Neither will the “filthy rags” of self-made “righteousnesses” (Isaiah 64:6) cover sinful hearts today. The “garments of salvation” and the “robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10) can be provided only by God, just as God provided coats of skins for Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21).

3:21 coats of skin. This action is very instructive in several ways: (1) God considers clothing so vital in this present world that He himself provided it for our first parents; (2) the aprons fashioned by Adam and Eve were inadequate, testifying in effect that man-made efforts to prepare for God’s presence will be rejected; (3) the clothing provided by God required shedding the blood of two animals, probably two sheep, who were thus the first creatures actually to suffer death after Adam’s sin, illustrating the basic Biblical principle of substitutionary atonement (or “covering”), requiring the shedding of innocent blood as a condition of forgiveness for the sinner.