It Is Not Good for Man to Be Alone: What Does Genesis 2:18 Mean?

Genesis 2:18 reads, “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him.” King James Version (KJV)

TranslationGenesis 2:18
ESVThen the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”
NASBThen the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.”
NIVThe LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
NLTThen the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”

Also, see the meaning of Slaves Obey Your Masters in the Bible.

It Is Not Good for Man to Be Alone: Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

2:18-25 Power over the creatures was given to man, and as a proof of this he named them all. It also shows his insight into the works of God. But though he was lord of the creatures, yet nothing in this world was a help meet for man.

From God are all our helpers. If we rest in God, he will work all for good. God caused deep sleep to fall on Adam; while he knows no sin, God will take care that he shall feel no pain. God, as her Father, brought the woman to the man, as his second self, and a help meet for him.

That wife, who is of God’s making by special grace, and of God’s bringing by special providence, is likely to prove a help meet for a man. See what need there is, both of prudence and prayer in the choice of this relation, which is so near and so lasting.

That had need to be well done, which is to be done for life. Our first parents needed no clothes for covering against cold or heat, for neither could hurt them: they needed none for ornament. Thus easy, thus happy, was man in his state of innocence.

How good was God to him! How many favours did he load him with! How easy were the laws given to him! Yet man, being in honour, understood not his own interest, but soon became as the beasts that perish.

Also, see the meaning of Let Your Yes Be Yes and No Be No in the Bible.

Genesis 2:18 | Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

The Lord God said, or, had said, to wit, upon the sixth day, on which the woman was made, Genesis 1:27-28.

Not good; not convenient either for my purpose of the increase of mankind, or for man’s personal comfort, or for the propagation of his kind.

Meet for him; a most emphatical phrase, signifying thus much, one correspondent to him, suitable both to his nature and necessity, one

altogether like to him in shape and constitution, disposition and affection; a second self; or one to be at hand and near to him, to stand continually before him, familiarly to converse with him, to be always ready to succour, serve, and comfort him; or one whose eye, respect, and care, as well as desire, Genesis 3:16, should be to him, whose business it shall be to please and help him.

Also, see the meaning of Be At Peace With All Men in the Bible.

Daniel Isaiah Joseph

Daniel's seminary degree is in Exegetical Theology. He was a pastor for 10 years. As a professor, he has taught Bible and theology courses at two Christian universities. Please see his About page for details.

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