Why did God ask a ?

Question

In Genesis chapter three of the Bible God asks a ?

"Where have you hidden yourself Adam" referring to Adam and Eve after they committed the first sin recorded...
isn't God supposed to be all knowing ?
Then didn't he know exactly where Adam was?
I think i know the answer but this is a thought provoker :)

Answer 1

Of course He knew. He was underlining the shame they felt when they realized they have failed God by doing the one thing he forbid them to do. Haven't you ever asked a question you know the answer to? Especially when reprimanding your kids?

Answer 2

I think a better question is "why did god let that damn snake loose on earth?"

He created the universe right? Why not put the snake on Mars or Jupiter? Why not on the sun? As a matter of fact, why damn us all because the prototype humans didn't work the way he thought they would? He's the one that put the damn snake there in the first place. Nevermind the fact that he could have put the tree in the bottom of the ocean with the fish instead of in the garden with the human prototypes.

p.s. you should have known they'd get you with the "God already knew the answer" answer. I hope you are setting up a better question with this one. Something like, "If God spoke directly to Adam about his sin, why do we need priests to tell us about them now?" and then, "If we lost contact to god through sin, is it fair for us to suffer for his mistakes?" They'll say God does not make mistakes, he gives us free will, and then you say... If god really wanted us to live eternally, he would have put that tree on the other side of the world" They'll say it was a test, you say, why test if you already know the answer! Then refer them back to this question.

Answer 3

Of course God knew where Adam and Eve were. He wanted Adam to step up and admit his sin. God saw everything that happened, he wasn't suprised.

Answer 4

its like pat said in the answer above me.

more importantly, why would he punish Adam and Eve for eating from a forbidden tree, if he's all knowing and knew they were going to do it anyway?
its like me feeding my cat something that i know it's just going to throw up! WHY THE HELL WOULD I DO IT?!?! I DONT WANT TO CLEAN UP THE MESS!!
i just want to bang my head against the wall. there isn't an answer. there just isn't a good one. the nearest "good" answer that's even out there is "because god wanted to punish us, and putting something there for Adam and Eve that was tempting enough for them to do, he could punish them like he wanted, and ultimately, god is really a sort of sadomasochist." that's the only legitimate answer.

Answer 5

God already knew. It was supposed to make Adam and Eve think about how far they have already fallen.

Answer 6

Adam was lost and didn't know it God knew where he was , and that Adam was lost. God asked that question so that Adam would know he was lost.

Answer 7

Yes, God already knew. I think He wanted to see what their answer would be. Would they admit they sinned? Would they lie and say they didn't sin? Would they put the blame on what they did on someone else? I think God knew what their answer might be but God gave them the choice on how to answer Him.

Answer 8

Sure God knew. The question is more of an asking why rather then where.

Answer 9

Did you see how they learned shame also. They changed in the wink of an eye.To the best of my knowledge I think Satan tricked them into doing something which enabled his spirit of sin/Lawlessness to enter humanity causing man to fall. Also when Christ ascended into heaven the Holy spirit was sent to those who would receive the spirit into their soul thus greater is he who is in those who believe and except Christ than he who is in the world.

Answer 10

Anytime God asks a question, He's waiting to see if we're smart enough to get why He's asking the question. He asks in order that we might see something about ourselves that needs some attention.