Actually Eve's befuddled answer to the serpent in the Garden illustrates that she did not have full knowledge. It wasn't a matter that she was "confused" as I thought for a long time. It was simply that she only had a partial understanding of God's command.
Why this is the scriptures are unclear. God gave Adam the actual command. It can be presumed that Adam passed the command to his wife since husbands are suppose to instruct their wives (1 Cor 14:35) and Eve did have some knowledge of what God had said imperfect as that knowledge may have been. Whether Adam poorly communicated the information or Eve, over the course of time, failed to remember it properly we don't know. What we do know is that Eve failed to have the proper interpretation.
It's important to realize here that the scriptures states over and over that God is the author of wisdom, knowledge and understanding. The book of Proverbs is devoted to this truth. Eve's failed memory shows a lack of understanding and Adam's caveliar attitude shows a lack of wisdom-both which comes from God. This was not a "choice" by Adam as some would have us believe. Rather it was that God did not give Adam the wisdom so that he could make the right choice.
It's important to understand this because for years it has always bothered me that the scriptures state that sin came into the world through Adam, yet it was Eve that actually ate the fruit first and one could say that Eve tempted Adam leading to his and our ruin. Didn't sin actually come into the world through Eve? Also, where was God? Why didn't He prevent it?
The answer IMO lies in the deception of Eve which Paul mentions twice. Her poor understanding led to her downfall but not the condemnation of the world as Adam's sinful attitude. Sin is still sin whether one is deceived or not (Paul warns Christians in a number of places not to be deceived). God could have prevented it by 1) not allowing the serpent in the garden, 2) giving Eve a better mind to understand God's word, and 3) giving Adam greater wisdom in deciding what to do. He didn't do any of this.
God wants us to rely upon Him for wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Not on ourselves. Had Adam or Eve done this everything would have been different. But man's steps are ordained by the Lord.
The answer IMO lies in the deception of Eve which Paul mentions twice. Her poor understanding led to her downfall but not the condemnation of the world as Adam's sinful attitude. Sin is still sin whether one is deceived or not (Paul warns Christians in a number of places not to be deceived). God could have prevented it by 1) not allowing the serpent in the garden, 2) giving Eve a better mind to understand God's word, and 3) giving Adam greater wisdom in deciding what to do. He didn't do any of this. God wants us to rely upon Him for wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Not on ourselves. ...
Bears repeating! Thanks for your full answer. That answers a lot of my "Garden" questions I have had for some time. :)