Bereshis 2:18

18 And Hashem Elohim said, It is not tov that the adam should be alone; I will make him an ezer (a helper) suitable for him.

Bereshis 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.

Bereshis 2:18 In-Context

16 And Hashem Elohim commanded the adam, saying, Of every etz of the gan thou mayest freely eat;

17 But of the Etz HaDa’as Tov v’Rah, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the yom that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

18 And Hashem Elohim said, It is not tov that the adam should be alone; I will make him an ezer (a helper) suitable for him.

19 And out of the adamah Hashem Elohim formed every beast of the sadeh, and every oph HaShomayim; and brought them unto the adam to see what he would name them; and whatsoever the adam named kol nefesh chayyah, that was shmo.

20 And the adam gave shemot to all behemah, and to the oph HaShomayim, and to every beast of the sadeh; but for Adam there was not found an ezer for him.