Do women have menstrual pains because of Eve’s sin?
Question:
Is it because of Eve's sin that women go through menstrual periods or the pains that come with it?
Answer:
"To the woman He said: "I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you."" (Genesis 3:15).
The verse in Hebrew literally states "(to the woman) (he said) (multiplying) (I will multiply) (your pains) (and your pregnancy) (in pain) (you will bear) (children) (and to your husband) (your desire) (but he) (he will rule over you)." Some translators read this as a list of two things: difficulties in pregnancy and pain in childbirth. Others read this as a list of three things: (1) pain, difficulty, or hardship, (2) difficulties in being pregnant, and (3) pain in childbirth. Since there is a conjunction in the word for being pregnant, I'm inclined to say a list of three is the more accurate. Since the last two have to deal with pregnancy and childbirth, it is highly likely the first is also of the reproductive system and indicates pains during menstruations.
