Keraia
Genesis 2

Genesis 2:7

Man and Woman in the Garden · Genesis 2:4–25
Read Genesis 2

Translations

Modern
Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.
Traditional
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Literal
And YHWH God formed the man from dust of the ground, and He breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living soul.
Latin
Formavit igitur Dominus Deus hominem de limo terræ, et inspiravit in faciem ejus spiraculum vitæ, et factus est homo in animam viventem.

Interlinear

Hebrew
English
Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.

Notes

Genesis 2:7

  • In 1:1–2:3, creation happens by God's command ("Let there be ... And it was so"). This story describes a more personal process of creation (see also 2:8–9, 21–22).

  • from the dust of the ground: In Hebrew, 'adamah means "ground." This forms a wordplay on 'adam, which means "man." The earth is a key reference point for humans, who become dust again at death (3:17–19; 4:11; Job 4:19; 10:8–9; Isaiah 29:16).

  • breathed the breath of life into his nostrils: God gives his breath only to humans, not to other animals. God made humans in his image (Genesis 1:27) and only they can communicate with their Creator (2:16–17; 3:8–13). They are the only ones with spiritual awareness and a moral conscience (see Job 32:8).

Genesis 2:4–25

This story (see study note on 2:4) of the heavens and the earth is not a second creation story. Instead, it expands on 1:1–2:3 with more theological and historical details. The focus shifts to what the universe (kosmos) produced rather than on its creation.

Special attention is given to the first man and woman. As the story continues, it is shaped by contrasts such as good and evil, knowledge and ignorance, life and death, and harmony and conflict.

Events

Glossary

Adam (Person) Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Bible, Quotations of the Old Testament in the New Testament Book of Revelation Chronology of the Bible (Old Testament) Creation Myths Divorce Earth Fall of Man Flesh Genesis, Book of God, Names of Hebrew Language Image of God Intermediate State Jesus Christ, Teachings of Land Man Mesopotamia Monotheism Natural Man New Creation, New Creature Paradise Patriarchs, Period of the Philo Judaeus Pottery Second Coming of Christ Sex, Sexuality Soul Spirit of God Spirit of Jesus Christ Woman

Topics

Adam: The First Man: Creation of Breath of Life Cells Covering of Heads Dry Bones Dust: Man Made From Elevation Evolution God: Creator God: Creator of Man God's Creation Ground: Man Made From Human Beings Human Cloning Human Life Humanism Humanity Humans Life: Breath of Life: from God Man: Created Man: Created: A Living Soul Man: Created: from the Dust Man: God's Purpose in Creation Completed by Making Man: Quickened by the Breath of God Natural Life: God is the Author of Our Souls The Earth: Man: Formed out of The Fetus The Immortal Soul The Soul The Spirit of Man