Devine Scripture

Genesis 2:24

What does Genesis 2:24 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 2:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 2:24 means

This verse states a foundational principle for marriage, flowing directly from the creation of woman from man. "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother" signifies a new primary allegiance, establishing a distinct family unit. "And shall cleave unto his wife" speaks of a deep, inseparable bond of commitment and faithfulness. "And they shall be one flesh" describes the profound unity—physical, emotional, and spiritual—achieved in marriage. This divinely ordained institution reflects God's design for human intimacy, partnership, and procreation, echoing Christ's future relationship with the church.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For this cause will a man go away from his father and his mother and be joined to his wife; and they will be one flesh.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

therefore doth a man leave his father and his mother, and hath cleaved unto his wife, and they have become one flesh.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Wherefore a man shall leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they shall be two in one flesh.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.

Context

This verse serves as a divine commentary and a foundational principle, immediately following Adam's recognition of Eve as his suitable helper (verse 23). It extrapolates from the unique creation of woman to define the institution of marriage for all humanity. This statement is pivotal, establishing the first divine ordinance for human society and setting the stage for understanding the sanctity and purpose of marriage throughout biblical history.

v.23And the man 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.

v.24This passage

v.25And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Corinthians 7:10

    But unto the married I give charge, yea not I, but the Lord, That the wife depart not from her husband

  • Romans 7:2

    For the woman that hath a husband is bound by law to the husband while he liveth; but if the husband die, she is discharged from the law of the husband.

  • Leviticus 22:12

    And if a priest’s daughter be married unto a stranger, she shall not eat of the heave-offering of the holy things.

  • Mark 10:6

    But from the beginning of the creation, Male and female made he them.

  • 1 Timothy 5:14

    I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for reviling:

  • Deuteronomy 10:20

    Thou shalt fear Jehovah thy God; him shalt thou serve; and to him shalt thou cleave, and by his name shalt thou swear.

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