Adam confesses to fear because he is guilty and knows it (v. 11), and for this reason he hid himself. He admits to fear but not to sin. In effect, Adam was saying that it was the majesty of God that caused him to fear and to hide himself rather than his sin and guilt. He was naked and therefore ashamed before God. In so excusing himself Adam was in effect commending himself to God for his sensitivity to the Presence of God. God’s question, a challenge rather than a query, was, “Who told thee that