Eve’s Creation from Adam a Rejoining of Oneness

At the time of Creation, Adam and Eve were one, and God formed Eve to create further oneness with Adam. Eve’s creation promotes oneness in marriage while avoiding any form of separation.

Eve’s Creation

 At Eve’s creation, Adam rejoices with these words, “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.”

He rejoices over his beloved and establishes a connection with her through spoken words of affirmation and appreciation. By God’s design, their creation shows how they are made for each other, reflecting interconnectedness and intimacy, in which even their gender did not form a disconnect but became a means to unite them.

Adam’s Poem

When God formed Eve from Adam, this prompted Adam to declare in God’s presence, “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.” These words initiate a covenant loyalty in which Adam commits to Eve before God and forms the first marriage by God’s initiative. Adam’s declaration for his wife identifies him as her lover in joyous amazement. Despite being asleep, he sacrificially gives a portion of himself to her. His rejoicing affirms Eve’s coming from him to form oneness in their bonded, lover-beloved relationship. While at the same time, the event counters a distinct position between them since Eve came from Adam’s flesh, bones of his bones. Adam’s poetic rendition of who Eve is, fosters emotional closeness and further oneness in their sameness. The statements do not necessarily encourage equality since equality assumes a separateness in positions or rights, but his words promote sameness, potential oneness, and rejoining together.

Adam declares “my bones” from his innermost being. Then he says from my flesh, from his own body, linking an internal emotional response to the beauty before him. Also, her coming from Adam describes an intimate connection since a portion of his inner self is shared. Finally, notice the direction of the flow of care from the husband to the wife – a covenant tendency.

Adam’s Value of Eve

God brought Eve to Adam as his beloved, valuable wife. Adam, despite being asleep, sacrificially gave himself in the forming of Eve. His role initiated by God establishes Adam as the sacrificial lover to his beloved wife. When they came together, they cleaved together and became one flesh to further oneness and connectedness. Nothing in Eve’s creation account separates them. They were one together, then became one again. Connecting, cleaving, and becoming one depicts the overarching theme of the account; in a way to counter the future difficulties of couples that tend to separate, divide, and establish twoness between themselves. A covenant tendency sacrificially gives and pursues oneness.

Pre-Covenant Ideas

Adam’s reference to bones and flesh later attests to covenant ideas. In which a key covenant marriage scholar explains, “As we argued, the fact that the ‘bone of my bones’ formula is well-attested elsewhere within the Old Testament helps to identify these words as covenant-forming verba solemnia, rather than merely an ejaculatory comment of delight.” ^[1]Gordon Paul Hugenberger. Marriage as a Covenant: a study of biblical law and ethics governing marriage, developed from the perspective of Malachi. Netherlands: E.J. Brill, 1994, 230. For modern hearers, the words of Adam concerning his bones and flesh may connote a selfish viewpoint that he now has a match to meet all his needs; however, invoking a covenant commitment together elevates these words to match the marriage mandate that follows. He commits to her with his public words of affirmation in the presence of God. A covenant commits a life-death viewpoint depicted by Adam’s words concerning his life, bones, and flesh with Eve.

From the Side – Eve’s Creation

Eve, not created of the dust of the earth but from the side of Adam, forms an inseparable unity to fellowship in life with Adam. Her forming from Adam’s flesh demonstrates the natural, God-ordained connectedness between them to further instill Adam’s sense in making her the beloved. The depiction of Eve’s creation sets the foundation for covenant marriage to formulate a relational unity between a male and female. This created bond parallels the covenant-ordained principle of becoming one. Adam’s tender affection toward Eve references the creation of her essence and their future relationship. His words of love, she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man, express his emotional commitment to poetically becoming her sacrificial loving husband. His words further grant a lover/beloved identity. Throughout this brief creation, their relationship depicts unity, closeness, and mutual value for each other to move toward further relational oneness.

Defining Marriage

The definition of covenant marriage portrays a sacred unity of oneness between one man and one woman established in God’s presence. When God brought Eve to Adam, he initiated a unity that guided their relationship. Their bonded unity maintains continuity by leaving, cleaving, and becoming (Gen 2:24). A covenant marriage binds people together by a divinely sanctioned act.

Their original marriage sets the standard for humanity in how to dwell together. Also, the creation of Eve presents a value in the woman. Therefore, humanity will now value Eve and womanhood as valuable and unique creation. Created with value, honor, and the person with whom Adam will share oneness.

Today, like the original couple, find the words to compliment and appreciate your spouse. What thrills your heart about him/her? Please share this with them.

[1] Gordon Paul Hugenberger. Marriage as a Covenant: a study of biblical law and ethics governing marriage, developed from the perspective of Malachi. Netherlands: E.J. Brill, 1994, 230.