- At the end of creation "it was very good," but now "it is not good" that Adam is alone. In chapter 1, it was "good" before man and woman were created, but after it was "very good"
- "helper" is literally "a helper as in front of him" - like him, suited to him, corresponding to him
- The created animals are considered by some commentators unsuccessful attempts to create a helper for Adam.
- Note the creatures (v.20) are of the three spheres of creation - land, sky & water
- The creatures are formed, even though they were already formed in chapter 1
- God, having dominion over the universe, named the parts of the universe and it's time divisions in chapter 1, but lets man name the creatures over which he has dominion
- She is called Issha (woman) because she was take from Ish (man)
- The Rib is an allegory of the relationship of man and woman. Just as the rib is found at the side of the man and is attached to him, even so the wife, the rib of her husband stands at his side to be his helper/counterpart.
- 2:23 is divided into two parts. In Hebrew, part 1 has 3 segments with two words, both accented. The 2nd part has two segments each with 3 words, all accented, totaling 6 accented words. Zo'th ("this," "she," "she") occurs three times in the man's utterance. It is at the beginning, center and end of his speech.
Then the man said,
'This, at last, / is bone of my bones / and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called Woman [Issa] / because she was taken out of Man [Is].'
'This, at last, / is bone of my bones / and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called Woman [Issa] / because she was taken out of Man [Is].'
- 2:24 "Therefore a man leaves..." is not Adam's words, but a comment.
- "A man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife" has been interpreted by some as a reference to matriarchy. However, later note that "he shall rule over you"
18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
19 And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22 And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23 And Adam 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.
