Genesis 2:4-25

Adam and Eve

4 Here is the story of the heavens and the earth when they were created. The LORD God made the earth and the heavens.

5 At that time, bushes had not appeared on the earth. Plants had not come up in the fields. The LORD God had not sent rain on the earth. And there wasn't any man to work the ground.

6 But streams came up from the earth. They watered the whole surface of the ground.

7 Then the LORD God formed a man. He made him out of the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into him. And the man became a living person.

8 The LORD God had planted a garden in the east. It was in Eden. There he put the man he had formed.

9 The LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground. Their fruit was pleasing to look at and good to eat. The tree that gives life forever was in the middle of the garden. The tree that gives the ability to tell the difference between good and evil was also there.

10 A river watered the garden. It flowed from Eden. From there it separated into four other rivers.

11 The name of the first river is the Pishon. It winds through the whole land of Havilah. Gold is found there.

12 The gold of that land is good. Onyx and sweet-smelling resin are also found there.

13 The name of the second river is the Gihon. It winds through the whole land of Cush.

14 The name of the third river is the Tigris. It runs along the east side of Asshur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.

15 The LORD God put the man in the Garden of Eden. He put him there to work its ground and to take care of it.

16 The LORD God gave the man a command. He said, "You can eat the fruit of any tree that is in the garden.

17 But you must not eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you do, you can be sure that you will die."

18 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 The LORD God had formed all of the wild animals. He had also formed all of the birds of the air. He had made all of them out of the ground. He brought them to the man to see what names he would give them. And the name the man gave each living creature became its name.

20 So the man gave names to all of the livestock. He gave names to all of the birds of the air. And he gave names to all of the wild animals. But Adam didn't find a helper that was right for him.

21 So the LORD God caused him to fall into a deep sleep. While the man was sleeping, the LORD God took out one of his ribs. He closed up the opening that was in his side.

22 Then the LORD God made a woman. He made her from the rib he had taken out of the man. And he brought her to him.

23 The man said, "Her bones have come from my bones. Her body has come from my body. She will be named 'woman,' because she was taken out of a man."

24 That's why a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife. The two of them will become one.

25 The man and his wife were both naked. They didn't feel any shame.

Genesis 2:4-25 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.