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;
What does Genesis 2:21 mean?
Power over the creatures was given to man, and as a proof of this he named them all. It also shows his insight into the works of God.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Genesis 2:21-25 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Genesis 2:21
The Woman 21. tardemah, "deep sleep," εκστασις ekstasis, Septuagint. tsela, "rib, side, wing of a building." 23. paam, "beat, stroke, tread, anvil." 'ysh, "man," vir. 'ashah, "be firm, as a foundation;" yashah, "be firm as a substance;" 'anash, "be strong;" 'ush, "to give help: hence, the strong, the brave, the defender, the nourisher." 'sah, "woman," feminine of the above; "wife." The second creative step in the constitution of man as the natural head of a race is now described. This supplies the defect that was drawn forth into consciousness in the preceding passage. Man here passes out of solitude into society, out of unity into multiplicity. Here we find ourselves still in the sixth day.
Context in Genesis 2
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Genesis 2 belongs to the early movement of the book, especially the section often described as primeval history from creation to Babel. Genesis opens the whole Bible with creation, fall, flood, Babel, and the long patriarchal story that carries the reader from Eden to Egypt. Read this chapter with the wider themes of creation, fall, and covenant in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
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A collection of passages on hope under pressure, future inheritance, resurrection expectation, and confidence in God’s final faithfulness.