Humans are the most biologically advanced species that exists. Obviously the less advanced species evolved before the more advanced species. That's how evolution works.
'Cause he was less important. Eve came 2nd 'cause she was more important and thus God saved "the best for last"
-- That's one way of looking at it.
The passages dealing with Adam and Eve are possibly allegorical - designed to teach some central truths in a story like way. They may not be literal - or at least they can be taken in either context, although an allegorical context in some ways makes more sense.
I actually think that Genesis and the part about Adam and Eve is VERY progressive and 'feminine' - especially for its time. I think it is very beautiful when properly understood.
The word Adam (aw-dom) comes from the Hebrew word for 'human being' (well actually for 'man' but those 2 words are roughly interchangeable until the 21st century.The word can also mean 'red-skinned' which is supposedly a description of human beings skin color or ruddy complexion.
So 1st God creates human beings -- {aw-dom}
THEN God creates the ability for 'aw-dom' or humans to reproduce.
To do this he creates Eve which is the Hebrew word for "living" or 'breathe'
God essentially breathes LIFE into humans and this creates "EVE"
So 1st the prototype
Then the ability for this NEW class of being to procreate. It kinda makes a certain amount of logical sense if you think about it in the context of a manufacturing process...right?
He creates Eve from Adam's rib cage -- so that she is the SAME as he is. Adam can't honestly reject her..because the 2 are basically the same (of the same substance or 'essence') Adam also can't reproduce on his own, so God takes a rib from the MIDDLE of Adam's body.
Why the middle?
IF Eve was created out of Adam's head - then she might be OVER him (his superior).
IF Eve was created from Adam's leg or feet - then she might be UNDER him (subservient)
So to be FAIR - God fashions Eve from Adam's rib - so that they are equal.
Ribs also protect the 'heart' which is thought to be where caring and love come from. So Adam should love her, protect her. (and perhaps she should also do the same for him, since they share bones)
Lastly - Eve now enables Adam (human beings) to do something NEW and something that human beings CAN NOT do without her --- reproduce and carry on the species.
So Eve is ESSENTIAL and KEY to God's plan. She is not lesser than Adam, quite the contrary. She is maybe even MORE important from a biological perspective.
The Bible refers to Eve with a special word that is typically translated as 'helpmate' but some scholars have said actually translates as 'one who I can not live without' or 'a part of my own body' Eve is SOOOO essential that Adam recognizes that he can't even go on living without her can not properly function without her. - He is thus IMCOMPLETE without her. So you could say that this is the moment that they love each other. Adam looks at her NOT sexually, but emotionally and practically and realizes her importance as a human being - as an equal person.
This is what ALL healthy relationships are based on - equality.
The Bible also says this about Marriage, early on in Genesis -- (speaking of marriage) What God hath brought together, let NO MAN lay asunder (destroy).
So their UNION is meant to be FOREVER.
______________________
SADLY - this PERFECT relationship doesn't seem to last long. Sin enters the world and immediately man and women's relationship changes. No longer equals. No longer in emotional union. Man and women see that they are naked (lust) and immediately start blaming each other for their mistakes (sin)
God then, among other predictions, claims that relationships between men and women will be troubled. History bears this prediction out. Women often times being seen as lesser than men. Women struggling for equality. Men seeing women as objects of desire, rather than equals and 'essential'
Genesis is thus a microcosm of human relationships from function to dysfunction.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
I think there was reference to the beasts of the earth and the dark times before the creation of man. But I could be wrong about this?
Humans are the most biologically advanced species that exists. Obviously the less advanced species evolved before the more advanced species. That's how evolution works.
born again Christian biologist
To give the man time to practice.
He made man last.
He felt like it.
No idea. Maybe Eve didn't need the trial of her faith before she got a husband like Adam did before he got his wife.
The 1st chapter in the 1st book of the bible and you didn't even get that right.
'Cause he was less important. Eve came 2nd 'cause she was more important and thus God saved "the best for last"
-- That's one way of looking at it.
The passages dealing with Adam and Eve are possibly allegorical - designed to teach some central truths in a story like way. They may not be literal - or at least they can be taken in either context, although an allegorical context in some ways makes more sense.
I actually think that Genesis and the part about Adam and Eve is VERY progressive and 'feminine' - especially for its time. I think it is very beautiful when properly understood.
The word Adam (aw-dom) comes from the Hebrew word for 'human being' (well actually for 'man' but those 2 words are roughly interchangeable until the 21st century.The word can also mean 'red-skinned' which is supposedly a description of human beings skin color or ruddy complexion.
So 1st God creates human beings -- {aw-dom}
THEN God creates the ability for 'aw-dom' or humans to reproduce.
To do this he creates Eve which is the Hebrew word for "living" or 'breathe'
God essentially breathes LIFE into humans and this creates "EVE"
So 1st the prototype
Then the ability for this NEW class of being to procreate. It kinda makes a certain amount of logical sense if you think about it in the context of a manufacturing process...right?
He creates Eve from Adam's rib cage -- so that she is the SAME as he is. Adam can't honestly reject her..because the 2 are basically the same (of the same substance or 'essence') Adam also can't reproduce on his own, so God takes a rib from the MIDDLE of Adam's body.
Why the middle?
IF Eve was created out of Adam's head - then she might be OVER him (his superior).
IF Eve was created from Adam's leg or feet - then she might be UNDER him (subservient)
So to be FAIR - God fashions Eve from Adam's rib - so that they are equal.
Ribs also protect the 'heart' which is thought to be where caring and love come from. So Adam should love her, protect her. (and perhaps she should also do the same for him, since they share bones)
Lastly - Eve now enables Adam (human beings) to do something NEW and something that human beings CAN NOT do without her --- reproduce and carry on the species.
So Eve is ESSENTIAL and KEY to God's plan. She is not lesser than Adam, quite the contrary. She is maybe even MORE important from a biological perspective.
The Bible refers to Eve with a special word that is typically translated as 'helpmate' but some scholars have said actually translates as 'one who I can not live without' or 'a part of my own body' Eve is SOOOO essential that Adam recognizes that he can't even go on living without her can not properly function without her. - He is thus IMCOMPLETE without her. So you could say that this is the moment that they love each other. Adam looks at her NOT sexually, but emotionally and practically and realizes her importance as a human being - as an equal person.
This is what ALL healthy relationships are based on - equality.
The Bible also says this about Marriage, early on in Genesis -- (speaking of marriage) What God hath brought together, let NO MAN lay asunder (destroy).
So their UNION is meant to be FOREVER.
______________________
SADLY - this PERFECT relationship doesn't seem to last long. Sin enters the world and immediately man and women's relationship changes. No longer equals. No longer in emotional union. Man and women see that they are naked (lust) and immediately start blaming each other for their mistakes (sin)
God then, among other predictions, claims that relationships between men and women will be troubled. History bears this prediction out. Women often times being seen as lesser than men. Women struggling for equality. Men seeing women as objects of desire, rather than equals and 'essential'
Genesis is thus a microcosm of human relationships from function to dysfunction.
Mankind was created AFTER everything else.
Mankind was at the tail-end of the creation process.
He didn't.