Genesis 2:22 - Exposition

And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he (literally, builded into; aedificavit , Vulgate; ω ̓ κοδο ì μησεν , LXX .) a woman . The peculiar phraseology employed to describe the formation of Adam's partner has been understood as referring to the physical configuration of woman's body, which is broadest towards the middle (Lyra); to the incompleteness of Adam's being, which was like an unfinished building until Eve was formed (Calvin); to the part of the female in building up the family (Delitzsch, Macdonald), to the building up of the Church, of which she was designed to be a type (Bonar);—yet it may be doubted if there is not as much truth in the remark that "by the many words used in the generation of mankind, as creating ( Genesis 1:27 ), making ( Genesis 1:26 ), forming and inspiring ( Genesis 2:7 ), and now building , Moses would set forth this wondrous workmanship for which the Psalmist so laudeth God," Psalms 139:14 (Ainsworth). And brought her unto the man. I .e. led, conducted, and presented her to Adam. "The word implies the solemn bestowment of her in the bonds of the marriage covenant, which is hence called the covenant of God ( Proverbs 2:17 ); implying that he is the Author of this sacred institution" (Bush). On awaking from his slumber Adam at once recognized the Divine intention, and joyfully welcomed his bride.