Devine Scripture

Genesis 2:18

What does Genesis 2:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 2:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 2:18 means

God observed that it was "not good that the man should be alone," identifying the first deficiency in His perfect creation. This statement reveals God’s relational nature and His design for human companionship. The intention was to create a "help meet for him"—a helper suitable and corresponding to man, not a subordinate. This highlights the inherent incompleteness of man in solitude and foreshadows the creation of woman, emphasizing the divine purpose for partnership and mutual support within humanity.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Jehovah God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Jehovah God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the Lord God said, It is not good for the man to be by himself: I will make one like himself as a help to him

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jehovah God saith, `Not good for the man to be alone, I do make to him an helper--as his counterpart.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the Lord God said: It is not good for man to be alone: let us make him a help like unto himself.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Jehovah Elohim said, It is not good that Man should be alone; I will make him a helpmate, his like.

Context

After giving man his commission and the divine command (verses 15-17), this verse shifts God's focus to the man's social condition. It establishes the theological reason for the creation of woman, immediately preceding the detailed account of her formation. This transition underscores God's deep care for humanity's needs, recognizing and addressing man's solitude before even the possibility of sin is further explored.

v.17but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

v.18This passage

v.19And out of the ground Jehovah God formed every beast of the field, and every bird of the heavens; and brought them unto the man to see what he would call them: and whatsoever the man called every living creature, that was the name thereof.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:7

    For a man indeed ought not to have his head veiled, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

  • Genesis 3:12

    And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

  • Genesis 1:31

    And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

  • 1 Timothy 2:11

    Let a woman learn in quietness with all subjection.

  • 1 Peter 3:7

    Ye husbands, in like manner, dwell withyour wivesaccording to knowledge, giving honor unto the woman, as unto the weaker vessel, as being also joint-heirs of the grace of life; to the end that your prayers be not hindered.

  • Ruth 3:1

    And Naomi her mother-in-law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?

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