What does Genesis 3:13 mean?

When directly questioned by God about whether he had eaten from the forbidden tree, Adam threw all of the responsibility on his wife, and God—anyone but himself. Adam's claim is not only that Eve gave him the fruit, but Adam goes so far as to remind God that the woman is there by God's decision. Adam has already failed in his responsibility to be the leader and guardian of his wife. And he compounded it by trying to blame others for his actions.

Here, God turns His gaze on Eve and asks her a more open-ended question: What have you done? Eve's response still shifts some of the blame, but it is far simpler, more direct, and more apologetic than Adam: "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."

What we see in both responses is the beginning of another consequence for sin: broken human relationships. In fact, in God's pronouncements about what will follow humanity's choice to sin will become the normal course of life. These include deep strains in marriage relations, and in all the marriages to follow.

Before dealing with mankind, however, God first turns to the serpent.