Genesis 2:23 Meaning and Explanation
“And Adam 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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Adam recognizes the woman as bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh, calling her Woman.
The Context of Genesis 2:23
Adam's recognition and naming of woman.
What Does Genesis 2:23 Mean?
Adam recognizes what has happened: the woman shares his very substance. 'Bone of my bones' and 'flesh of my flesh' express a profound identity—she is of him, connected to him by nature, not merely by arrangement. This recognition goes beyond physical similarity to express existential kinship.
Adam names her 'Woman' (Ishshah in Hebrew), a name that connects her to himself (Ish, 'man'). The naming shows Adam's understanding of her place—not as 'other' or inferior, but as corresponding to him, derived from him, and fundamentally linked to him. His joy and recognition in this moment express the fulfillment of God's purpose to end his aloneness.
Genesis 2:23 in the Original Language
ishshah (אִשָּׁה), 'woman' — derived from ish (אִישׁ), 'man'; the names express the fundamental connection between male and female as corresponding persons.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 2:23
What does Genesis 2:23 mean?
Adam recognizes the woman as bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh, calling her Woman.
What is the context of Genesis 2:23?
Adam's recognition and naming of woman.