Genesis 2:23-24
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Adam's immediate recognition of the woman as "bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh" highlights her profound, intrinsic connection to him, not just as a companion, but as a fundamental part of his very being. The name "Woman" (ishah) itself, being a feminine form of "Man" (ish), underscores that she is fully human and equal, a perfect counterpart drawn from his own substance.
Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After God presents all the animals to Adam and he names them, finding none suitable as a companion, God causes Adam to fall into a deep sleep and forms a woman from one of his ribs. Adam awakens and immediately recognizes her as his counterpart, a part of himself, and names her "Woman."
When Adam first sees Eve, his words aren't just a greeting, but a profound declaration of connection. What does he mean by 'bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh'?
Adam's utterance, 'This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh,' is far more than a simple observation. It's a recognition of a shared, fundamental identity.
A Mirror Image
Adam had just named all the animals, realizing none were a suitable companion. When Eve is brought to him, he doesn't see an alien creature. Instead, he sees himself. The phrase 'bone of my bones, flesh of my flesh' signifies that Eve is not merely similar to Adam, but is of the same essential substance. She is, quite literally, a part of him, taken from his very being.
More Than Just Physical
While this speaks to their shared physical makeup—Eve was formed from Adam's rib—it also points to a deeper, relational unity. This isn't just about shared genetics; it's about shared personhood and a divinely ordained partnership. Adam recognizes in Eve a counterpart, someone who completes him in a way no other creature could.
Adam names the animals, but when he names Eve, something shifts. What's the significance of the names 'Man' and 'Woman' in this moment?
The act of naming in Genesis is powerful. It signifies understanding, authority, and recognition of purpose. When Adam names Eve, it's not just a label, but an acknowledgment of her divine origin and role.
The Meaning of 'Woman'
The text explains Eve is called 'Woman' (Hebrew: ) 'because she was taken out of Man' (). This wordplay highlights their interconnectedness. 'Woman' is essentially a 'she-man,' a direct feminine counterpart to 'Man.' This wasn't an arbitrary name; it was descriptive of her creation and her essential unity with Adam.
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A New Beginning
This moment marks the institution of marriage as God designed it: a union where a man and woman leave their former associations to become 'one flesh.' Adam's declaration and naming of Eve are the first words spoken within this new, foundational human relationship, revealing its divine blueprint from the very start.
Understand the original words
azab · Hebrew Verb
A foundational social act signifying the breaking of primary filial ties to form a new, primary covenantal union. It indicates a shift in allegiance and responsibility.
dabaq · Hebrew Verb
To cling, cleave, or adhere to someone or something with strength and devotion; often used to describe the covenantal bond between God and His people or husband and wife.
Primordial Era
Creation of the Heavens and Earth
God speaks the cosmos into existence, forming the heavens, the earth, plants, animals, and finally, humanity.
Primordial Era
Creation of Adam
God forms the first man, Adam, from the dust of the ground and breathes life into him, placing him in the Garden of Eden.
Primordial Era
Naming of the Animals
Adam is given the task of naming all the living creatures, but no suitable companion is found among them.
Primordial Era— this verse
Creation of Eve
God causes a deep sleep to fall on Adam, takes one of his ribs, and fashions it into the first woman, Eve, whom he then presents to Adam.
Primordial Era
Institution of Marriage
Adam joyfully recognizes Eve as part of himself, marking the beginning of marriage as a union of one man and one woman.
This passage echoes the profound intimacy and unity expressed by Adam, calling his wife 'altogether beautiful' and 'without blemish,' mirroring the original perfection of their union before sin.
Ephesians 5:28-32Paul directly quotes and expands on Genesis 2:24, highlighting that the profound marital union and the concept of 'one flesh' established in Eden find their ultimate fulfillment and symbolic meaning in the relationship between Christ and the Church.
1 Corinthians 11:8-9This passage explicitly references the creation narrative, stating that man was not created for woman, but woman for man, drawing from the 'out of man' etiology presented in Genesis 2:23.
Matthew 19:4-5Jesus Himself quotes Genesis 2:24, reinforcing the foundational understanding of marriage as established in Eden. This highlights that the 'one flesh' union initiated with Adam and Eve is God's design for humanity.
wesleyGenesis 2:23: "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."
2:23 And Adam said, this is now bone of my bones - Probably it was revealed to Adam in a vision, when he was asleep, that this lovely creature, now presented to him, was a piece of himself and was to be his companion, and the wife of his covenant - In token of his acceptance of her, he gave her a name, not peculiar to her, but common to her sex; she sh…
clarkeGenesis 2:23: "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."
Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, etc. - There is a very delicate and expressive meaning in the original which does not appear in our version. When the different genera of creatures were brought to Adam, that he might assign them their proper names, it is probable that they passed in pairs before him, and as they passed received their names. To…
Adam's immediate recognition of the woman as "bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh" highlights her profound, intrinsic connection to him, not just as a companion, but as a fundamental part of his very being. The name "Woman" (ishah) itself, being a feminine form of "Man" (ish), underscores that she is fully human and equal, a perfect counterpart drawn from his own substance.
After God presents all the animals to Adam and he names them, finding none suitable as a companion, God causes Adam to fall into a deep sleep and forms a woman from one of his ribs. Adam awakens and immediately recognizes her as his counterpart, a part of himself, and names her "Woman."
After God presents all the animals to Adam and he names them, finding none suitable as a companion, God causes Adam to fall into a deep sleep and forms a woman from one of his ribs. Adam awakens and immediately recognizes her as his counterpart, a part of himself, and names her "Woman."
"Then the man said,
“This at last is bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called Woman,
because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his w…" — Adam's immediate recognition of the woman as "bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh" highlights her profound, intrinsic connection to him, not just as a companion, but as a fundamental part of his…
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Last reviewed October 2026