Genesis 2:20-24

Back to Genesis 2

20 And the man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the heavens, and to every beast of the field; but for man there was not found a help meet for him. 21 And Jehovah God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof: 22 and the rib, which Jehovah God had taken from the man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23 And the man said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Classification

The Principle

This passage contains an explanation of the motivation ("there was not found a help meet for him") and means ("he took one of his ribs") for the creation of Woman. It also describes the joy of man at receiving a proper help-meet, and the primary Biblical definition of marriage, "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."

Categories

This passage belongs to the Principles and Definitions. It describes the instantiation of Marriage. It affects our understanding of Sexuality, Polygamy, and Gender Roles.

Fulfillment

Marriage has abiding relevance for believers. It is a holy institution of God, teaching us about the relationship between Christ and the church, wherein it finds its ultimate fulfillment.

Topics

This principle has direct relevance to an understanding of the following topics:

• Marriage
• Sexuality
• Polygamy
• Gender Roles