Gen 2:23-24 | TNotes | STEP | 2:23 Adam recognized the woman as a “helper just right for him” (2:20 ). His celebration of her in poetry and song observed his unity with her, not their distinctions (cp. 29:14 ). • Adam declares that “She will be called ‘woman’ (Hebrew ’ishah ) because she was taken from ‘man’ (Hebrew ’ish ).” He understood the nature of their connection (see Eph 5:28-29 ). Adam had earlier assessed the animals without finding the characteristics he needed in a partner. How different this evaluation is!

dEph 5:28-29►

fHos 2:14-23►

gEph 5:22-32►

‏ Genesis 2:23-24

2:23 ^a Adam recognized the woman as a “helper just right for him” (2:20 ^b). His celebration of her in poetry and song observed his unity with her, not their distinctions (cp. 29:14 ^c).

• Adam declares that “She will be called ‘woman’ (Hebrew ’ishah) because she was taken from ‘man’ (Hebrew ’ish).” He understood the nature of their connection (see Eph 5:28-29 ^d). Adam had earlier assessed the animals without finding the characteristics he needed in a partner. How different this evaluation is!
2:24 ^e Marriage between a man and a woman is not just a human social construct but is rooted in the created order.

• a man leaves ... and is joined: Marriage entails a shift of loyalty from parents to spouse.

• the two are united into one: Marriage and its commitments make it the most fundamental covenant relationship observed among humans. Marriage is a powerful image of Israel’s covenant with God (Hos 2:14-23 ^f) and of Christ’s relationship to the church (Eph 5:22-32 ^g). Marriage is designed as an inseparable, exclusive relationship between a man and a woman. The family unit it creates is the basic building block of human society.