What does Genesis 2:18 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Adam"s creation was not complete because he lacked a "helper" who corresponded to him. This deficiency led God to pronounce Adam"s condition "not good." ^[1] This follows the pattern of the triune God"s own existence in which He is surrounded by His heavenly court. Man should normally live in community even as God does. God not only evaluated Adam"s condition, He also rectified it. [source][source]

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"In Judaism, from the very moment of origins of the Jewish people, marriage was considered to be the ideal state." ^[2] [source]

God"s provision of a wife for Adam is a concrete example of God"s knowing what is good for man. ^[3] Companionship replaced isolation. For companionship to be satisfying, however, there must be oneness in the marriage (cf. Genesis 1:26-27). Self-centered living destroys oneness and companionship. [source][source]

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The term "helper" does not mean a servant. Jesus Christ used the same word (the Greek equivalent) to describe the Holy Spirit who would help believers following the Lord"s ascension ( John 14:16; John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7). It means one who supports us in our task of doing the will of God (cf. Deuteronomy 33:7; Psalm 33:20; Psalm 115:9-11; Psalm 146:5; Hosea 13:9). It is not a demeaning term since Scripture often uses it to describe God Himself (e.g, Psalm 33:20; Psalm 70:5; Psalm 115:9). [source][source]

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"The word help suggests that the man has governmental priority, but both sexes are mutually dependent on each other. The man is created first, with the woman to help the Prayer of Manasseh , not vice versa (see also 1 Timothy 2:13); however, this does not mean ontological superiority or inferiority. The word helper, used for God sixteen of the nineteen times it appears in the Old Testament, signifies the woman"s essential contribution, not inadequacy." ^[4] [source]

"Suitable to him" or "corresponding to him" means "equal and adequate." What was true of Adam (cf. Genesis 2:7) was also true of Eve. They both had the same nature. [source][source]

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"Since Adam and Eve were a spiritual unity, living in integrity without sin, there was no need for instruction here on headship." ^[5] [source]

The ancient Near Eastern texts contain no account of the creation of woman. Moses, however, devoted six verses to her formation compared to only one for Adam ( Genesis 2:7). [source][source]

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Context Summary

Human love is God's best gift to man. Without it even Eden would not be Paradise. That Adam was able to name the animals, affixing a title suggested by some peculiarity or characteristic, indicated his royal supremacy, and, in so far as we live in God, that supremacy is restored. See Daniel 6:22; Mark 1:13. But what is power without love, or a throne without a consort? Eve was, therefore, given to crown his bliss; taken from his side, as afterward the Church from the opened side of Christ. See John 19:34, and Ephesians 5:25. Still God brings Eve to Adam; and such a marriage is truly blessed.

The order of temptation is always the same. The Tempter without, and within the strong desire for sensual gratification, with the secret hope that somehow the consequences may be avoided. The eye inflames passion; passion masters the resistance of the will; the body obeys its impulse; the act of gratification is followed immediately by remorse and guilt. Then we need the second Adam! [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 2

¹  The first Sabbath
⁴  Further details concerning the manner of creation
⁸  The planting of the garden of Eden, and its situation;
¹⁵  man is placed in it; and the tree of knowledge forbidden
¹⁸  The animals are named by Adam
²¹  The making of woman, and the institution of marriage