Genesis 2:18-24

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

19 Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.

20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam^[a] no suitable helper was found.

21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs^[b] and then closed up the place with flesh.

22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib^[c] he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

23 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.”

24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.

Genesis 2:18-24 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.

Cross References

• 1. Proverbs 31:11; 1 Corinthians 11:9; 1 Timothy 2:13
• 2. Psalms 8:7
• 3. S Genesis 1:20
• 4. S Genesis 1:5
• 5. Genesis 1:24
• 6. Genesis 3:20; Genesis 4:1
• 7. Genesis 15:12; 1 Samuel 26:12; Job 33:15
• 8. 1Co 11:8,9,12; 1 Timothy 2:13
• 9. Genesis 29:14; Ephesians 5:28-30
• 10. S Genesis 1:5
• 11. 1 Corinthians 11:8
• 12. Malachi 2:15
• 13. Matthew 19:5*; Mark 10:7-8*; 1 Corinthians 6:16*; Ephesians 5:31*

Footnotes

• [a] Or "the man"
• [b] Or "took part of the man’s side"
• [c] Or "part"