Genesis 2:4-7

The Creation of Man and Woman

4 1These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens.
5 When no 2bush of the field[a] was yet in the land[b] and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up--for the LORD God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man 3to work the ground,
6 and a mist[c] was going up from the land and was watering the whole face of the ground--
7 then the LORD God formed the man of 4dust from the ground and 5breathed into his 6nostrils the breath of life, and 7the man became a living creature.

Genesis 2:4-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 2

In this chapter are contained a summary of the works of creation on the six days, and God's resting from his works on the seventh day, and the sanctification of that, Ge 2:1-4 and an account of various things relating to several parts of the creation enlarged on and explained, and of various circumstances omitted in the preceding chapter, which could not so well be taken notice of there; as of a mist arising out of the earth, which watered the herbs and plants before there was any rain to fall upon them, or a man to cultivate them, Ge 2:5,6 and of the matter and manner of man's formation, Ge 2:7 and of the planting of the garden of Eden, and the trees that were in it, and the rivers that watered it, and sprung from it, and the course they steered, the countries they washed, and what those countries abounded with, Ge 2:8-14 of man's being put into it to dress it, and keep it, and of the grant he had to eat of the fruit of any of the trees in it, excepting one, which was forbidden under a penalty of death, Ge 2:15-17 and of all the creatures, beasts and fowls, being brought to him, to give them names, Ge 2:18-20 and of God's providing an help meet for him, and forming Eve out of one of his ribs, and of their marriage together, and the institution of marriage, Ge 2:21-24 and the chapter is concluded with observing the present state and circumstances of our first parents before they fell, Ge 2:25.

Cross References 7

  • 1. Genesis 1:1
  • 2. [Genesis 1:11, 12]
  • 3. Genesis 3:23
  • 4. Genesis 3:19, 23; Genesis 18:27; Psalms 103:14; Ecclesiastes 12:7; 1 Corinthians 15:47
  • 5. Genesis 7:22; Job 33:4; Isaiah 2:22
  • 6. Job 27:3
  • 7. Cited 1 Corinthians 15:45

Footnotes 3

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.