Genesis 2:18

18 The LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for 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 The LORD God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat:

17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it: for in the day that you eat of it you will surely die."

18 The LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."

19 Out of the ground the LORD God formed every animal of the field, and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. Whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.

20 The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every animal of the field; but for man there was not found a helper suitable for him.