roots. The Man and Woman are naked (ʿărûmmîm) whereas the snake is sly (ʿārûm). Desirous of real wisdom, the couple mistakenly thinks that the snake’s slyness18 is what they seek. The pun continues when, expecting to open their eyes with new wisdom, they discover only that they are without clothing, simply naked (ʿêrummim). The serpent does not ask questions of the woman, as most translations, including the NRSV, imply (“Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?”). Rather he