4) This verse opens with the toledoth (generations) of The Heavens and The Earth.
(5) There was not an adam (man) to service the adamah (ground).
(6) The earth is watered by a mist.
(7-9) The LORD God forms the adam (man), a living soul, and plants a Garden eastward in Eden. This Garden is a Holy of Holies in Eden, and obedience is an important requirement.
(10-14) Four streams flow out of Eden to water this garden, which is a spiritual concept of living water within the Holy Place. The four streams signify blessings and are the Pishon (increase), the Gihon (bursting forth), the Hiddeqel (active), and the Perat (sweet water or fruitfulness).
After the flood, the topography changed and new places were named after the original places. However, the original streams remained and are situated near or in Jerusalem.
Gold represents the Father, Bdellium (a possible aromatic resin) represents the Son, and Onyx (a precious stone) represents the Holy Spirit.
(15-18) While the adam (man) is put in the Garden to service and guard it, he is required by YHWH God not to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
(18) YHWH God decides to make an ezer kenegdow (a warrior-helper corresponding to him) for the adam (man).
(19-20) While in his search for an Ezer Kenegdow, Adam names the behemah (quadruped hoofed creatures), the owp (fowl), and the chayat (wild beast).
(21-22) The Rib. The LORD God builds the rib into a ishshah (woman).
The rib (tsela) is the only bone in the body that can regenerate itself. While males have an X and a Y chromosome, females have two copies of the X chromosome. By design, the genetic information in the adam was used to create the ishshah (woman). The first Woman was the first Man’s identical twin.
We see the spiritual concept of this action at the crucifixion. When one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side, tsela, blood and water poured forth. God was building from the Messiah’s side, the bride called His Church.
(23-24) Originally, the wife does not leave her family, but he will leave his.
Perhaps, we have a hint here of a matrilocal or matriarchal family unit.
(25) Innocence. The verse is implying more than being naked, but that their relationship with the YHWH God and each other were pure and untainted by sin.
(1) The bait is being laid for the woman by the serpent. Notice he refers to God and not YHWH.
(2-5) The serpent challenges the woman to eat of the fruit of the tree of good and evil.
The woman is being drawn in by her flesh, her eyes, and trust in her own power (1 Jn. 2:16) the desire of the flesh, and the desire of the eyes, and the pride of life.
(6-7) The woman has failed to be an ezer kenegdo, a source of strength for her husband, and has failed to obey YHWH God. Her husband, who has been given the charge to not eat of the tree of knowledge, is with her and he does not stop her. When they know they are naked, they also know they have transgressed and done evil.
(8) As the voice of YHWH walking in the Garden of Eden is heard, Adam and his wife hide themselves from His presence.
(9-12) When YHWH calls out to Adam, he responds that he is afraid and has hidden himself. Then YHWH questions Adam if he has eaten a part of the tree, and Adam blames the woman.
(13) YHWH questions the woman, who blames the serpent.
(14-15) CENTRAL THEME: The serpent is cursed, and YHWH puts enmity between the serpent’s seed and her Seed.
(16) The woman will toil in having children, and her desire will be toward her husband.
(17-19) Adam will toil the ground, which is cursed for his sake, and he will return to the ground.
(20) Adam names his wife Eve, mother of all living.
(21-24) The LORD God sends them out of the Garden of Eden and places a cherubim and a flaming sword to guard the tree of life. Adam and Eve still dwell in the land of Eden, but not in the Garden.
(1-2) The births and occupations of Cain and Abel are given.
(3-7) Offering grain was an acceptable offering (Lev. 2:14). So, why was Cain’s offering not accepted by YHWH? Cain’s offering would not have been accepted if he did not give of the firstfruits, but kept the best for himself.
(8) The murder of Abel is committed by the hands of his brother Cain.
(9-15) YHWH responds to Abel’s violent death by the hands of his brother. Cain learned there are consequences for his actions.
(16) Since Nod was a pre-diluvium location, we do not know its location. While Adam and Eve continued to abide in Eden, just not in the Garden, Cain dwelt outside of Eden as a fugitive.
(17-22) Cain’s descendants are listed to the seventh generation. Jabal was the first cowboy. Jubal was the inventor of musical instruments such as the kinnor (stringed instrument) and the ugab (organ or pipe). Tubalcain opened the door to bronze and iron. Progress was on its way.
(23-24) Violence and revenge. We are not told why Lamech killed this young man, but vengeance would be 77 times. These lines were narrated in poetic parallelism.
Adah and Zillah, hear my voice,
Wives of Lamech, give ear to my saying.
For a man I have slain for my wound,
And even a young man for my hurt.
For sevenfold is required for Cain,
And for Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
(25-26) Seth replaces Abel with a godly lineage.