Genesis 2:18

18 Then the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to live alone. I will make a suitable companion to help him."

Genesis 2:18 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 2:18

And the Lord God said
Not at the same time he gave the above direction and instruction to man, how to behave according to his will, but before that, even at the time of the formation of Adam and which he said either to him, or with himself: it was a purpose or determination in his own mind, and may be rendered, as it is by many, he "had said" ^F2, on the sixth day, on which man was created, [it is] not good that man should be alone;
not pleasant and comfortable to himself, nor agreeable to his nature, being a social creature; nor useful to his species, not being able to propagate it; nor so much for the glory of his Creator: I will made him an help meet for him;
one to help him in all the affairs of life, not only for the propagation of his species, but to provide things useful and comfortable for him; to dress his food, and take care of the affairs of the family; one "like himself" ^F3, in nature, temper, and disposition, in form and shape; or one "as before him" ^F4, that would be pleasing to his sight, and with whom he might delightfully converse, and be in all respects agreeable to him, and entirely answerable to his case and circumstances, his wants and wishes.

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FOOTNOTES:

F2 (rmayw) "dixerat", Vatablus, Drusius, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.
F3 (wdgnk) "simile sibi", V. L. Sam. Syr.
F4 "Tanquam coram eo", Montanus.

Genesis 2:18 In-Context

16 He told him, "You may eat the fruit of any tree in the garden,

17 except the tree that gives knowledge of what is good and what is bad. You must not eat the fruit of that tree; if you do, you will die the same day."

18 Then the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to live alone. I will make a suitable companion to help him."

19 So he took some soil from the ground and formed all the animals and all the birds. Then he brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and that is how they all got their names.

20 So the man named all the birds and all the animals; but not one of them was a suitable companion to help him.