Genesis 2:18

18 Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right 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.

---

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 But the LORD God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—

17 except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.”

18 Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”

19 So the LORD God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one.

20 He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. But still there was no helper just right for him.