together they were to be fruitful and multiply (1:28). They will be able to multiply, and the seed of the woman will crush the serpent’s head (3:15), but God promises to make the bearing of seed painful for the woman (3:16). Secondly, the conception of the triumphant seed will be difficult not only because of increased pain but because the ‘one flesh’ harmony (2:23–25) enjoyed before the transgression (3:1–6) has been polluted by fear and shame (3:7–13). The woman will have a new desire to usurp