DO MEN HAVE ONE RIB LESS BECAUSE OF EVE?
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. Because God created Eve out of Adam, do men have one less rib than women?
a) The verses related to the question regarding the creation of women and the possibility of men having one less rib can be found in the book of Genesis.
i) 21 Then the Lord God made the man fall into a deep sleep, and while he was sleeping, he took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the flesh. 22 He formed a woman out of the rib and brought her to him. (Genesis 2:21 - 22)
b) The direct answer to the question is that men do not have one less rib due to the creation of Eve. In regard to Adam, although the Bible is not specific, either he lived the rest of his life missing this part or God healed him immediately after his 'surgery.'
c) Several Bible commentaries offer some fascinating thoughts to consider regarding God's creation of Adam and Eve. The Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary states that Eve (representing all women) was not made from Adam's head in order to surpass him, or made from his feet so that she could be trampled on, but from his rib so that she could be near and dear to his heart. Adam Clarke's Commentary says that some piece of Adam was needed to be used for Eve's creation, and that it was likely some flesh as well as a rib (see Genesis 2:23). The commentary goes on to state that God could have formed Eve from the ground just like he did Adam, but had he done so she might have appeared to have no natural relationship to the first man.
d) The celebrated first century historian Josephus also weighed in regarding God's creation of humans. He said that it was only after God observed Adam wondering at the animals that were made male and female, and noticing he had no such companion, that he decided to create for him a mate.
The End ...
1. Because God created Eve out of Adam, do men have one less rib than women?a) The verses related to the question regarding the creation of women and the possibility of men having one less rib can be found in the book of Genesis.
i) 21 Then the Lord God made the man fall into a deep sleep, and while he was sleeping, he took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the flesh. 22 He formed a woman out of the rib and brought her to him. (Genesis 2:21 - 22)
b) The direct answer to the question is that men do not have one less rib due to the creation of Eve. In regard to Adam, although the Bible is not specific, either he lived the rest of his life missing this part or God healed him immediately after his 'surgery.'
c) Several Bible commentaries offer some fascinating thoughts to consider regarding God's creation of Adam and Eve. The Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary states that Eve (representing all women) was not made from Adam's head in order to surpass him, or made from his feet so that she could be trampled on, but from his rib so that she could be near and dear to his heart. Adam Clarke's Commentary says that some piece of Adam was needed to be used for Eve's creation, and that it was likely some flesh as well as a rib (see Genesis 2:23). The commentary goes on to state that God could have formed Eve from the ground just like he did Adam, but had he done so she might have appeared to have no natural relationship to the first man.
d) The celebrated first century historian Josephus also weighed in regarding God's creation of humans. He said that it was only after God observed Adam wondering at the animals that were made male and female, and noticing he had no such companion, that he decided to create for him a mate.
e) We discover a little bit more about man's creation and God's intention by looking at the meaning of names and references. In the Bible, a man (or men in general) in the Hebrew language is referred to as Ish, which is Strong's Concordance #H376. The first word Adam used to refer to the person made out of his own flesh is Issa or Ishah in the Hebrew (Strong's Concordance #H802, the feminine form of Ish - See Genesis 2:23). When God made Eve out of Adam, he was literally making Ishah out of Ish. It was only AFTER they both sinned and had received their punishment from God that Adam called his wife Eve (Genesis 3:20, which means 'mother of all living').
f) Ultimately, God's "surgery" to provide the man he created with a mate did not seem to adversely affect the health of Adam or his ability to live a long life. In fact, even if he lived with one less rib than Eve, he lived to the ripe old age of 930 years (Genesis 5:5). Adam lived the fourth longest lifespan of any human being in history (Methuselah was the longest at 969 years)!
f) Ultimately, God's "surgery" to provide the man he created with a mate did not seem to adversely affect the health of Adam or his ability to live a long life. In fact, even if he lived with one less rib than Eve, he lived to the ripe old age of 930 years (Genesis 5:5). Adam lived the fourth longest lifespan of any human being in history (Methuselah was the longest at 969 years)!
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