| Abstract
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This paper explores Origen’s and Augustine’s interpretations of Gen. 3,21, which regards the coats of skins that God gave to Adam and Eve after they had sinned. I propose the notion of man’s “state of intermediateness” as a basis for examining both authors’ understanding of the skin tunics, and for revealing the similarities and distinctive dissimilarities in their interpretations. I also investigate how Origen’s and Augustine’s different readings of the two accounts of man’s creation, in Gen. 1,27 and Gen. 2,7, can be connected with their understanding of Gen. 3,21. I conclude by showing how despite some striking similarities that link Augustine’s interpretation of the skin coats to Origen’s view, and even despite the fact that Augustine reiterates an already-established symbolism, his exegesis of the skin tunics still bears a particular relevance and originality. This paper explores Origen’s and Augustine’s interpretations of Gen. 3,21, which regards the coats of skins that God gave to Adam and Eve after they had sinned. I propose the notion of man’s “state of intermediateness” as a basis for examining both authors’ understanding of the skin tunics, and for revealing the similarities and distinctive dissimilarities in their interpretations. I also investigate how Origen’s and Augustine’s different readings of the two accounts of man’s creation, in Gen. 1,27 and Gen. 2,7, can be connected with their understanding of Gen. 3,21. I conclude by showing how despite some striking similarities that link Augustine’s interpretation of the skin coats to Origen’s view, and even despite the fact that Augustine reiterates an already-established symbolism, his exegesis of the skin tunics still bears a particular relevance and originality.
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