Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Genesis, Chapter 2בראשית 2

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Creation's first great cadence does not stop with the making of the world; it deepens here into rest, holiness, and the placing of humanity within a gardened order where gift and command belong together from the beginning. It moves from the sanctified seventh day into a closer portrait of creaturely life before God, showing the human as earth-formed, breath-filled, vocationally charged, and situated within abundance that is real but not autonomous. Eden is not a backdrop for self-invention. It is a prepared place of vocation, generosity, boundary, and communion, where the human is formed from the ground, enlivened by divine breath, and charged to work and keep what God has planted. The movement then turns from place and command to companionship. The naming of the animals reveals both human authority and human incompleteness, because no corresponding helper is found until the woman is built from the man's side and brought to him. Sabbath completion, earth-formed life, garden vocation, prohibition, and one-flesh union are therefore bound together into a single theological portrait: humanity is creaturely rather than self-made, blessed yet commanded, and constituted for communion both with God and with a corresponding partner.

Translation & textual notes

The Hebrew base text here follows the Masoretic Text in the Leningrad tradition as represented by the Westminster Leningrad Codex / MorphHB diplomatic stream imported from OSHB; distinctively copyrighted apparatus from BHS or BHQ is not reproduced. A major hinge within Genesis appears here. Verses 1-3 close the seven-day creation account by presenting God's completion, rest, blessing, and sanctification of the seventh day; the wording is foundational for later Sabbath theology, and the clause 'God completed on the seventh day' in v.2 is one of the classic places where ancient versions and interpreters have discussed whether the MT should be harmonized to 'on the sixth day.' The MT reading is retained. Verse 4 introduces the first toledot heading, and the shift to the divine name יהוה אלהים marks not a second unrelated creation tradition for this project but a deliberate narrative refocusing from cosmic ordering to humanity's situated life before God. Several lexical cruxes remain important: אֵד in v.6 may denote mist, stream, or subterranean moisture; עֵזֶר כְּנֶגְדּוֹ in v.18 is best handled as a 'helper corresponding to him' rather than flattened into a merely subordinate assistant; and the wordplay among אדם, אדמה, איש, and אשה is central to the narrative's literary force. Versification follows the MT.

1

וַיְכֻלּ֛וּ הַשָּׁמַ֥יִם וְהָאָ֖רֶץ וְכָל צְבָאָֽם

Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their host.

Narrative closure: completion of the creation workוַיְכֻלּוּ
The verse functions as the formal close of the six-day work narrated in Genesis 1. Its compressed wording gathers heaven, earth, and their full array into a single completed whole, preparing immediately for the theology of the seventh day.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיְכֻלּ֛וּwere completedconj וַ + Pual wayyiq 3mp · כָּלָה (H3615)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceכָּלָה (H3615) 'to complete, finish'; Pual passive: the cosmos was brought to its completion.
הַשָּׁמַ֥יִםthe heavensart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Subject (first of compound subject)שָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens, sky'; always plural in Hebrew; with אֶרֶץ a merism for all creation.
וְהָאָ֖רֶץand the earthconj וְ + art + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subject (second member of compound)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land, ground'; common gender; second member of the heavens-earth merism.
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (head of final compound member)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every, totality'; construct form governing the genitive צְבָאָם.
צְבָאָֽםtheir hostN (c) sg constr + 3mp suf · צָבָא (H6635)Construct chain (genitival complement)צָבָא (H6635) 'host, army, ordered array'; the full ordered totality of all beings filling heaven and earth.
2

וַיְכַ֤ל אֱלֹהִים֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י מְלַאכְתּ֖וֹ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֑ה וַיִּשְׁבֹּת֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י מִכָּל מְלַאכְתּ֖וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָֽׂה

And on the seventh day God completed his work that he had made, and on the seventh day he ceased from all his work that he had made.

Narrative development: seventh-day completion and cessationוַיְכַ֤ל
The MT's wording places both completion and cessation on the seventh day itself. Rather than smoothing the line, the text is best read as presenting the seventh day as the moment in which creation's work reaches its consummation and gives way to rest; divine rest is not inactivity after fatigue, but royal cessation because the work is whole.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיְכַ֤לcompletedconj וַ + Piel wayyiq 3ms · כָּלָה (H3615)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceכָּלָה (H3615) 'to complete, finish'; Piel active: God brought his work to full completion.
אֱלֹהִים֙GodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subjectאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; plural of fullness/majesty; consistently takes singular verbs when referring to Israel's God.
בַּיּ֣וֹםon the dayprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with the article pointing to the specific seventh day of the creation account.
הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔יthe seventhart + Ordinal adj m sg abs · שְׁבִיעִי (H7637)Attributive adjective (modifying יוֹם)שְׁבִיעִי (H7637) 'seventh', from שֶׁבַע 'seven'; marks the climactic and consecrated day of the creation week.
מְלַאכְתּ֖וֹhis workN f sg constr + 3ms suf · מְלָאכָה (H4399)Direct objectמְלָאכָה (H4399) 'work, task, business'; related to מַלְאָךְ 'envoy'; refers to God's entire creative activity.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhichrelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introducing relative clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834) general relative pronoun; introduces relative clause modifying מְלַאכְתּוֹ.
עָשָׂ֑הhe had madeQal perf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed, prior actionעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make, accomplish'; broad verb of action; refers to the whole body of God's creative work.
וַיִּשְׁבֹּת֙restedconj וַ + Qal wayyiq 3ms · שָׁבַת (H7673)Predicate verb (coordinated main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁבַת (H7673) 'to cease, rest, stop'; root of שַׁבָּת; divine cessation that institutes the sacred day.
בַּיּ֣וֹםon the dayprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; phrase 'on the seventh day' is repeated for structural and theological emphasis.
הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔יthe seventhart + Ordinal adj m sg abs · שְׁבִיעִי (H7637)Attributive adjective (modifying יוֹם)שְׁבִיעִי (H7637) 'seventh'; the day is named twice: the repetition signals its unique theological weight.
מִכָּלfrom allprep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Partitive prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all, totality'; with מִן expresses total, comprehensive cessation from every part of the work.
מְלַאכְתּ֖וֹhis workN f sg constr + 3ms suf · מְלָאכָה (H4399)Genitival complement (object of מִכָּל)מְלָאכָה (H4399) 'work'; repeated for parallel structure: 'from all his work.'
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introducing relative clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative pronoun; second use tying the cessation clause back to the same body of completed work.
עָשָֽׂהhe had madeQal perf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed, prior actionעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make, do'; deliberate repetition of the same verb from the first relative clause.
3

וַיְבָ֤רֶךְ אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶת י֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י וַיְקַדֵּ֖שׁ אֹת֑וֹ כִּ֣י ב֤וֹ שָׁבַת֙ מִכָּל מְלַאכְתּ֔וֹ אֲשֶׁר בָּרָ֥א אֱלֹהִ֖ים לַעֲשֽׂוֹת

And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he ceased from all his work that God had created to make.

Narrative climax: the seventh day blessed and sanctifiedוַיְבָ֤רֶךְ
The seventh day is not merely the day on which God stops; it is positively endowed with blessing and holiness. The verse therefore turns divine rest into sacred time, making the day itself a marked and consecrated reality within the created order.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיְבָ֤רֶךְblessedconj וַ + Piel wayyiq 3ms · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבָּרַךְ (H1288) 'to bless'; Piel: purposeful bestowal of blessing; God actively endows the seventh day with fruitful potential.
אֱלֹהִים֙GodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subjectאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; subject of both bless and sanctify in v.3.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking a definite direct object; untranslated in English.
י֣וֹםdayN m sg constr · יוֹם (H3117)Direct object (head of construct chain)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; in construct with the ordinal; the seventh day is the direct object of God's blessing.
הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔יthe seventhart + Ordinal adj m sg abs · שְׁבִיעִי (H7637)Attributive adjective (modifying יוֹם)שְׁבִיעִי (H7637) 'seventh'; this occurrence is the object of blessing and sanctification.
וַיְקַדֵּ֖שׁmade it holyconj וַ + Piel wayyiq 3ms · קָדַשׁ (H6942)Predicate verb (coordinated main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָדַשׁ (H6942) 'to be holy'; Piel: 'to set apart as holy, consecrate'; the day is declared sacred time within the created order.
אֹת֑וֹitobj marker + 3ms suf · אֵת (H853)Direct object of וַיְקַדֵּשׁ (pronominal)אֵת (H853) with pronominal suffix: the definite object pronoun referring to the seventh day.
כִּ֣יbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'that, because, for'; here introduces the ground for God's blessing and consecration of the day.
ב֤וֹon itprep בְּ + 3ms suf · בְּAdverbial prepositional phrase (locative — on that day)בְּ (prep) 'in, on'; with 3ms suffix: 'on it/in it'; refers to the seventh day as the locus of divine rest.
שָׁבַת֙restedQal perf 3ms · שָׁבַת (H7673)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive actשָׁבַת (H7673) 'to cease, rest'; the completed cessation on the seventh day is the ground for its holiness.
מִכָּלfrom allprep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Partitive prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all, totality'; 'from all his work' — the scope of cessation is total.
מְלַאכְתּ֔וֹhis workN f sg constr + 3ms suf · מְלָאכָה (H4399)Genitival complement (object of מִכָּל)מְלָאכָה (H4399) 'work, task'; third occurrence across vv.2–3, underscoring the completeness of the divine labor that now ceases.
אֲשֶׁרwhichrelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introducing relative clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative pronoun; introduces the relative clause specifying what God had created.
בָּרָ֥אcreatedQal perf 3ms · בָּרָא (H1254)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive creative actבָּרָא (H1254) 'to create'; Qal always has God as subject; creation ex nihilo without named material.
אֱלֹהִ֖יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject (of relative clause verb)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; explicit subject within the relative clause, forming a resumptive chiasm with v.3's opening.
לַעֲשֽׂוֹתto makeprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Purpose infinitive (complement of בָּרָא)→ Infinitive construct: purpose or intended outcomeעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make, do'; the phrase 'created to make' suggests the created order has an ongoing productivity built into it.
4

אֵ֣לֶּה תוֹלְד֧וֹת הַשָּׁמַ֛יִם וְהָאָ֖רֶץ בְּהִבָּֽרְאָ֑ם בְּי֗וֹם עֲשׂ֛וֹת יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶ֥רֶץ וְשָׁמָֽיִם

These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that YHWH God made earth and heavens.

Section heading: transition from cosmic creation to the human-centered earth narrativeאֵ֣לֶּה תוֹלְד֧וֹת
This is the first toledot heading in Genesis, and it signals a shift in narrative focus rather than a simple continuation of the day-by-day sequence. The pairing 'heavens and earth' now yields to 'earth and heavens,' and the divine name expands to YHWH God, marking the movement from the cosmic overview of Genesis 1 to the more local and relational world of Eden.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
אֵ֣לֶּהtheseDemonstrative pronoun cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (of nominal clause)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; plural demonstrative pronoun; the standard opening of a toledot formula in Genesis.
תוֹלְד֧וֹתgenerations ofN f pl constr · תּוֹלְדוֹת (H8435)Predicate nominative (toledot heading)תּוֹלְדוֹת (H8435) 'generations, account, offspring'; from יָלַד 'to beget'; marks a structural heading in Genesis.
הַשָּׁמַ֛יִםthe heavensart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Genitival complement (first)שָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens, sky'; here the ordered appears before אֶרֶץ, then reversed later in v.4 — a deliberate inversion.
וְהָאָ֖רֶץand the earthconj וְ + art + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitival complement (second)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land'; the pair heavens-and-earth in toledot heading frames the whole cosmic scope of what follows.
בְּהִבָּֽרְאָ֑םwhen they were createdprep בְּ + Niphal inf constr + 3mp suf · בָּרָא (H1254)Temporal prepositional phrase (infinitival clause)→ Infinitive construct: temporal verbal nounבָּרָא (H1254) 'to create'; Niphal passive: 'when they were created'; the Niphal inf constr frames the toledot in the moment of creation.
בְּי֗וֹםin the dayprep בְּ + N m sg constr · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phrase (resumptive)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; בְּיוֹם here is quasi-temporal: 'at the time that' — a resumptive pointing to the creation event.
עֲשׂ֛וֹתof makingQal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Verbal noun (complement of בְּיוֹם)→ Infinitive construct: action as verbal nounעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make, do'; inf constr with בְּיוֹם giving 'in the day of YHWH God's making,' a temporal idiom.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHProper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of inf constr (עֲשׂוֹת)יְהוָה (H3068) the divine personal name; first occurrence in Genesis 2; paired with אֱלֹהִים to signal the narrative's turn toward personal divine-human relationship.
אֱלֹהִ֖יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive to יְהוָה (compound divine name)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; combined with יְהוָה throughout Gen 2–3, linking Israel's covenant God to the creator of Gen 1.
אֶ֥רֶץearthN (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object (first, inverted order)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land'; significantly placed before שָׁמַיִם here — the inversion from v.1 signals the narrative's earthward focus.
וְשָׁמָֽיִםand heavensconj וְ + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Direct object (second)שָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens'; second in the pair; the reversed order earth-then-heavens marks the shift in focus to human life on the ground.
5

וְכֹ֣ל שִׂ֣יחַ הַשָּׂדֶ֗ה טֶ֚רֶם יִֽהְיֶ֣ה בָאָ֔רֶץ וְכָל עֵ֥שֶׂב הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה טֶ֣רֶם יִצְמָ֑ח כִּי֩ לֹ֨א הִמְטִ֜יר יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהִים֙ עַל הָאָ֔רֶץ וְאָדָ֣ם אַ֔יִן לַֽעֲבֹ֖ד אֶת הָֽאֲדָמָֽה

Now no shrub of the field had yet come to be on the earth, and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, because YHWH God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no human to work the ground.

Background description: the uncultivated earth before the human vocationוְכֹ֣ל
The verse pauses the forward movement in order to describe the world's condition before cultivated human life begins. Its double 'not yet' and the causal clauses explain why the field is not yet productive: rain has not been given and the human cultivator is not yet present.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וְכֹ֣לand everyconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (head of noun phrase)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every, any'; construct state governing the following noun; introduces the first of two 'not yet' clauses.
שִׂ֣יחַshrub ofN m sg constr · שִׂיחַ (H7880)Construct chain (nominal subject continued)שִׂיחַ (H7880) 'shrub, bush, plant'; occurs only here and Gen 21:15 and Job; refers to wild, uncultivated field plants.
הַשָּׂדֶ֗הthe fieldart + N m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Genitival complement (of שִׂיחַ)שָׂדֶה (H7704) 'open field, cultivated land'; the sphere outside the garden; requires human cultivation to produce.
טֶ֚רֶםnot yetadverb · טֶרֶם (H2962)Temporal adverb (before, not yet)טֶרֶם (H2962) 'before, not yet'; governs the following imperfect; marks a pre-cultivation state.
יִֽהְיֶ֣הhad come to beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (temporal subordinate clause)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — incomplete or unrealized stateהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, exist, come into being'; with טֶרֶם: 'had not yet come to be on the earth.'
בָאָ֔רֶץon the earthprep בְּ + art + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land'; the sphere in which the yet-absent plant life would exist.
וְכָלand everyconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (second not-yet clause)כֹּל (H3605) 'every, all'; parallel to the first clause; introduces the second category of absent vegetation.
עֵ֥שֶׂבplant ofN m sg constr · עֵשֶׂב (H6212)Construct chain (nominal subject continued)עֵשֶׂב (H6212) 'herb, plant, vegetation'; cultivated plants requiring human labor; contrasts with the uncultivated שִׂיחַ.
הַשָּׂדֶ֖הthe fieldart + N m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Genitival complement (of עֵשֶׂב)שָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field'; repeated from word 2; the field awaits both rain and the human farmer.
טֶ֣רֶםnot yetadverb · טֶרֶם (H2962)Temporal adverb (before, not yet)טֶרֶם (H2962) 'not yet, before'; second occurrence; creates a double emphasis on the pre-agricultural condition of the earth.
יִצְמָ֑חhad sprung upQal impf 3ms · צָמַח (H6779)Predicate verb (temporal subordinate clause)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — unrealized actionצָמַח (H6779) 'to sprout, spring up, grow'; here of vegetation that has not yet appeared; the word recurs in plant-growth contexts.
כִּי֩becauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'because, for'; introduces the double cause for the unproductive earth: no rain, no farmer.
לֹ֨אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation (of הִמְטִיר)לֹא (H3808) 'not, no'; standard prose negation; negates the rain-giving action.
הִמְטִ֜ירcaused it to rainHiphil perf 3ms · מָטַר (H4305)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: a completed (non-)actionמָטַר (H4305) 'to rain'; Hiphil causative: 'to cause rain'; YHWH God is the one who sends or withholds rain.
יְהוָ֤הYHWHProper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject (of הִמְטִיר)יְהוָה (H3068) divine personal name; here as subject of the rain-withheld clause, emphasizing divine governance of climate.
אֱלֹהִים֙GodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive (compound divine name)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; paired with יְהוָה as the compound name characteristic of Gen 2–3.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Directional prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, over, on'; governs הָאָרֶץ; rain falls upon the earth.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe earthart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of preposition עַלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land'; the recipient of the absent rain.
וְאָדָ֣םand a humanconj וְ + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Subject (second causal clause — existential)אָדָם (H120) 'human being, humankind'; anarthrous here, emphasizing the category rather than a specific individual; wordplay with אֲדָמָה 'ground.'
אַ֔יִןthere was nonenegative particle · אַיִן (H369)Existential negation (predicate of noun clause)אַיִן (H369) 'there is not, nothing, none'; existential negative particle; 'a human was not' = no human existed.
לַֽעֲבֹ֖דto tillprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָבַד (H5647)Purpose infinitive (specifying human function)→ Infinitive construct: purpose clauseעָבַד (H5647) 'to work, serve, cultivate'; the vocation of tilling the ground; repeated in v.15 as the man's commission.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking the definite direct object הָאֲדָמָה.
הָֽאֲדָמָֽהthe groundart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Direct object (of לַעֲבֹד)אֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, soil, arable land'; distinguished from אֶרֶץ as cultivable soil; key wordplay with אָדָם — humankind is ground-born.
6

וְאֵ֖ד יַֽעֲלֶ֣ה מִן הָאָ֑רֶץ וְהִשְׁקָ֖ה אֶֽת כָּל פְּנֵֽי הָֽאֲדָמָֽה

But a mist used to rise from the earth and water the whole face of the ground.

Background development: moisture provided before rain and cultivationוְאֵ֖ד
The verse supplies the environmental counterpart to v.5. Even before rain is mentioned and before the human tills the soil, the ground is not utterly dry: moisture rises from below and waters the face of the earth, preparing for the human's formation from that same ground.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וְאֵ֖דbut a mistconj וְ + N m sg abs · אֵד (H108)Subject (of background clause)אֵד (H108) 'mist, stream, subterranean moisture'; a rare word (also Job 36:27); may denote rising vapor or an underground water-source.
יַֽעֲלֶ֣הused to riseQal impf 3ms · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (habitual background imperfect)→ Yiqtol: habitual/iterative — customary past actionעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up, ascend, rise'; the imperfect here describes a repeated or ongoing moisture-rising before cultivation began.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Source prepositional phraseמִן (H4480) 'from, out of'; marks the origin of the moisture — it rises from the earth, not falling from above.
הָאָ֑רֶץthe earthart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of preposition מִןאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land'; the source of the rising moisture; contrasts with rain coming from above.
וְהִשְׁקָ֖הwateredconj וְ + Hiphil weq 3ms · שָׁקָה (H8248)Predicate verb (sequential weqatal)→ Weqatal: sequential action following the yiqtolשָׁקָה (H8248) 'to give drink, water, irrigate'; Hiphil causative: the mist causes the ground to be watered.
אֶֽת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking the definite compound object that follows.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (head of construct chain)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, entirety'; construct governing פְּנֵי; 'the whole face of the ground' expresses total coverage.
פְּנֵֽיface ofN (c) pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Construct chain (genitival)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face, surface'; always plural; פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה = 'the face/surface of the ground,' a standard Hebrew idiom.
הָֽאֲדָמָֽהthe groundart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Genitival complement (of פְּנֵי)אֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, soil'; the ground watered by the mist is the same from which the man will be formed in v.7.
7

וַיִּיצֶר֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהִ֜ים אֶת הָֽאָדָ֗ם עָפָר֙ מִן הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה וַיִּפַּ֥ח בְּאַפָּ֖יו נִשְׁמַ֣ת חַיִּ֑ים וַֽיְהִ֥י הָֽאָדָ֖ם לְנֶ֥פֶשׁ חַיָּֽה

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

mainlinethen
The wayyiqtol chain carries the narrative forward from the unwatered ground to the climactic formation and animation of the human. The verse moves in three tightly linked acts: forming from the soil, breathing life, and the resulting emergence of the human as a living creature.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיִּיצֶר֩formedconj וַ + Qal wayyiq 3ms · יָצַר (H3335)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָצַר (H3335) 'to form, fashion, shape'; the potter's shaping of clay; used of the deliberate, skilled making of the human from dust.
יְהוָ֨הYHWHProper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068) divine personal name; the covenant God who now acts as artisan-creator fashioning the human.
אֱלֹהִ֜יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive (compound divine name)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the compound יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים identifies the creator with Israel's covenant deity.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking הָאָדָם as definite direct object.
הָֽאָדָ֗םthe humanart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Direct object (of יִּיצֶר)אָדָם (H120) 'human, man, humankind'; now with article; the specific creature being formed; its name echoes אֲדָמָה 'ground.'
עָפָר֙dustN m sg abs · עָפָר (H6083)Adverbial accusative (material of formation)עָפָר (H6083) 'dust, loose soil, dry earth'; the raw material of human physicality; recalled at death in Gen 3:19.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Source prepositional phraseמִן (H4480) 'from, out of'; marks the source of the dust — taken from the ground.
הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔הthe groundart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Object of preposition מִןאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, soil'; the human is formed from the very ground he will be commissioned to till; foundational wordplay.
וַיִּפַּ֥חbreathedconj וַ + Qal wayyiq 3ms · נָפַח (H5301)Predicate verb (second main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָפַח (H5301) 'to breathe, blow'; the intimate act of God breathing directly into the man's nostrils gives life in a uniquely personal way.
בְּאַפָּ֖יוinto his nostrilsprep בְּ + N m dual constr + 3ms suf · אַף (H639)Locative prepositional phraseאַף (H639) 'nostril, nose, face'; dual because two nostrils; the point of divine breath-transfer establishing living animation.
נִשְׁמַ֣תbreath ofN f sg constr · נְשָׁמָה (H5397)Direct object (of וַיִּפַּח, head of construct)נְשָׁמָה (H5397) 'breath, vital breath'; closely related to נֶשֶׁם 'breath'; the divine breath that animates; distinct from רוּחַ but overlapping.
חַיִּ֑יםlifeN m pl abs · חַיִּים (H2416)Genitival complement (of נִשְׁמַת)חַיִּים (H2416) 'life, living'; always plural in this sense; נִשְׁמַת חַיִּים = 'breath of life,' the animating divine energy.
וַֽיְהִ֥יbecameconj וַ + Qal wayyiq 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (resultative main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; resultative use: the man became — a new state emerges from forming and breathing.
הָֽאָדָ֖םthe humanart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Subject (of resultative clause)אָדָם (H120) 'human'; resumes as subject of the resultative; the same creature now has a new mode of existence.
לְנֶ֥פֶשׁa beingprep לְ + N (c) sg abs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Predicate complement (with לְ of result)נֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, person, living being, throat'; lamed of result; the human becomes a נֶפֶשׁ — a unified animated person.
חַיָּֽהlivingAdj f sg abs · חַי (H2416)Attributive adjective (modifying נֶפֶשׁ)חַי (H2416) 'living, alive'; נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה describes the animated, conscious person — the same phrase used of animals in Gen 1:20, 24.
8

וַיִּטַּ֞ע יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהִ֛ים גַּן בְעֵ֖דֶן מִקֶּ֑דֶם וַיָּ֣שֶׂם שָׁ֔ם אֶת הָֽאָדָ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָצָֽר

Then Yahweh God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he placed the man whom he had formed.

mainlinethen
The narrative continues with two coordinated wayyiqtol actions: Yahweh God prepares the garden setting and then installs the human within it. The relative clause ties this placement directly back to the forming of verse 7.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיִּטַּ֞עplantedconj וַ + Qal wayyiq 3ms · נָטַע (H5193)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָטַע (H5193) 'to plant'; the deliberate planting of a garden — YHWH God as gardener, preparing a special space for the human.
יְהוָ֧הYHWHProper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068) divine personal name; subject of both planting and placing in this verse.
אֱלֹהִ֛יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive (compound divine name)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; compound name continues; YHWH God acts as both world-maker and personal gardener.
גַּןa gardenN (c) sg abs · גַּן (H1588)Direct objectגַּן (H1588) 'garden, enclosure'; an enclosed, cultivated space; in Eden, a prepared place of abundance and vocation.
בְעֵ֖דֶןin Edenprep בְּ + Proper noun · עֵדֶן (H5731)Locative prepositional phraseעֵדֶן (H5731) 'Eden'; possibly from עֵדֶן 'delight, pleasure' or a geographic term; the location of the garden.
מִקֶּ֑דֶםin the eastprep מִן + N m sg abs · קֶדֶם (H6924)Directional prepositional phraseקֶדֶם (H6924) 'east, ancient time, front'; 'in/toward the east' or 'of old'; orients the garden geographically.
וַיָּ֣שֶׂםplacedconj וַ + Qal wayyiq 3ms · שִׂים (H7760)Predicate verb (coordinated main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשִׂים (H7760) 'to set, place, put'; the act of installing the human in the prepared garden — purposeful placement, not casual.
שָׁ֔םthereadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial modifier (locative)שָׁם (H8033) 'there'; deictic adverb pointing to the just-mentioned garden in Eden.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking הָאָדָם as definite object of וַיָּשֶׂם.
הָֽאָדָ֖םthe humanart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Direct objectאָדָם (H120) 'human'; the creature formed in v.7 is now placed in the garden prepared for him.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhomrelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introducing relative clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative pronoun; ties the placement back to the forming action of v.7.
יָצָֽרhe had formedQal perf 3ms · יָצַר (H3335)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed, prior actionיָצַר (H3335) 'to form, fashion'; the same root as v.7; the relative clause identifies the man as the one previously formed from dust.
9

וַיַּצְמַ֞ח יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהִים֙ מִן הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה כָּל עֵ֛ץ נֶחְמָ֥ד לְמַרְאֶ֖ה וְט֣וֹב לְמַאֲכָ֑ל וְעֵ֤ץ הַֽחַיִּים֙ בְּת֣וֹךְ הַגָּ֔ן וְעֵ֕ץ הַדַּ֖עַת ט֥וֹב וָרָֽע

And Yahweh God caused to spring up from the ground every tree that was delightful in appearance and good for food, with the tree of life in the midst of the garden and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

mainlineand
The verse advances the main narrative by describing the garden's provision and then appends the two marked trees that will govern the plot ahead. The broad abundance of pleasant, nourishing trees forms the setting in which the special trees are singled out.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיַּצְמַ֞חcaused to spring upconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiq 3ms · צָמַח (H6779)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceצָמַח (H6779) 'to sprout, grow'; Hiphil causative: God makes trees grow from the ground; the Hiphil emphasizes divine agency.
יְהוָ֤הYHWHProper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068) divine personal name; subject of the garden's planting and provision.
אֱלֹהִים֙GodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive (compound divine name)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; compound name; the one who grew the trees is both creator and covenant God.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Source prepositional phraseמִן (H4480) 'from, out of'; the trees spring up from the ground, connecting their origin to the same soil as the human.
הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔הthe groundart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Object of preposition מִןאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, soil'; the trees rise from the same soil as the man; ground is the common medium of creaturely life.
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (head of noun phrase)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; the abundance of the garden is total: every kind of desirable tree.
עֵ֛ץtreeN m sg abs · עֵץ (H6086)Construct chain complement (appositive to כָּל)עֵץ (H6086) 'tree, wood, timber'; the general category; the garden's provision is framed in terms of trees.
נֶחְמָ֥דdesirableNiphal ptc m sg abs · חָמַד (H2530)Attributive participle (modifying עֵץ)→ Participle: stative quality or abiding characteristicחָמַד (H2530) 'to desire, covet, delight in'; Niphal: 'desirable, pleasant to look at'; the trees are beautiful as well as nourishing.
לְמַרְאֶ֖הin appearanceprep לְ + N m sg abs · מַרְאֶה (H4758)Specification prepositional phrase (sphere of desirability)מַרְאֶה (H4758) 'sight, appearance, vision'; from רָאָה 'to see'; the trees are aesthetically beautiful as well as edible.
וְט֣וֹבand goodconj וְ + Adj m sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Attributive adjective (second quality of עֵץ)טוֹב (H2896) 'good, pleasant, suitable'; used of the trees as edible nourishment; beauty and goodness together characterize the garden.
לְמַאֲכָ֑לfor foodprep לְ + N m sg abs · מַאֲכָל (H3978)Specification prepositional phrase (sphere of goodness)מַאֲכָל (H3978) 'food, something eaten'; from אָכַל 'to eat'; the garden provides both aesthetic pleasure and nutritional sustenance.
וְעֵ֤ץand the tree ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · עֵץ (H6086)Subject (appended nominative phrase)עֵץ (H6086) 'tree'; the conjunction marks a shift from the general abundance to the specific, theologically significant trees.
הַֽחַיִּים֙lifeart + N m pl abs · חַיִּים (H2416)Genitival complement (of עֵץ)חַיִּים (H2416) 'life, living'; the tree of life grants ongoing vitality; its presence in the garden is recalled after the fall in Gen 3:22.
בְּת֣וֹךְin the midst ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Locative prepositional phraseתָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, middle, center'; the tree of life occupies the central position in the garden; spatial significance.
הַגָּ֔ןthe gardenart + N (c) sg abs · גַּן (H1588)Object of preposition בְּתוֹךְגַּן (H1588) 'garden'; the enclosed space planted in v.8; now further described with its significant trees.
וְעֵ֕ץand the tree ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · עֵץ (H6086)Subject (second appended nominative phrase)עֵץ (H6086) 'tree'; the second of the two specially named trees that will drive the plot of Gen 2–3.
הַדַּ֖עַתthe knowledge ofart + N f sg abs · דַּעַת (H1847)Genitival complement (of עֵץ)דַּעַת (H1847) 'knowledge, knowing'; from יָדַע 'to know'; the tree bears the knowledge that governs the prohibition of v.17.
ט֥וֹבgoodAdj m sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)First element of merismטוֹב (H2896) 'good'; one pole of the merism 'good and evil' indicating comprehensive, experiential knowledge.
וָרָֽעand evilconj וָ + Adj m sg abs · רַע (H7451)Second element of merismרַע (H7451) 'evil, bad, harmful'; the opposite pole; together with טוֹב forms a merism: knowing everything — the full range of moral and experiential reality.
10

וְנָהָרּ֙ יֹצֵ֣א מֵעֵ֔דֶן לְהַשְׁק֖וֹת אֶת הַגָּ֑ן וּמִשָּׁם֙ יִפָּרֵ֔ד וְהָיָ֖ה לְאַרְבָּעָ֥ה רָאשִֽׁים

Now a river was going out from Eden to water the garden, and from there it divided and became four headwaters.

backgroundnow
The discourse momentarily shifts from the mainline planting sequence into descriptive background, supplying the water source that makes the garden fruitful. The clause opens the geographic elaboration that runs through the river notices.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְנָהָרּ֙a riverconj וְ + N m sg abs · נָהָר (H5104)Subject (of background clause)נָהָר (H5104) 'river, stream'; the single source river that waters the whole garden before dividing into four.
יֹצֵ֣אgoing outQal ptc m sg abs · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate participle (descriptive/background)→ Participle: ongoing, continuous actionיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out, come forth'; the participle describes the river's persistent, ongoing outflow from Eden.
מֵעֵ֔דֶןfrom Edenprep מִן + Proper noun · עֵדֶן (H5731)Source prepositional phraseעֵדֶן (H5731) 'Eden'; the geographic source of the river; the garden territory is the origin of the world's great waterways.
לְהַשְׁק֖וֹתto waterprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · שָׁקָה (H8248)Purpose infinitive→ Infinitive construct: purpose/intended resultשָׁקָה (H8248) 'to water, irrigate'; Hiphil causative: the river's stated purpose is to provide water for the garden.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking the garden as the definite object of the watering.
הַגָּ֑ןthe gardenart + N (c) sg abs · גַּן (H1588)Direct object (of לְהַשְׁקוֹת)גַּן (H1588) 'garden'; the enclosed space watered by the Edenic river before it divides.
וּמִשָּׁם֙and from thereconj וּ + prep מִן + adverb שָׁם (H8033)Conjunctive adverbial phrase (point of division)שָׁם (H8033) 'there'; וּמִשָּׁם = 'and from there'; marks the place of origin of the four-part division.
יִפָּרֵ֔דdividesNiphal impf 3ms · פָּרַד (H6504)Predicate verb (descriptive imperfect)→ Yiqtol: habitual/descriptive — ongoing characteristicפָּרַד (H6504) 'to separate, divide, part'; Niphal: the river divides itself; describes the geographic reality of the four headwaters.
וְהָיָ֖הand becameconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (resultative state)→ Perfective with conjunction: resulting or consequential stateהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the resulting condition: from one river four headwaters come to be.
לְאַרְבָּעָ֥הfourprep לְ + Cardinal num m · אַרְבָּעָה (H702)Predicate complement (with לְ of result)אַרְבַּע (H702) 'four'; the number of the river branches; four is a number associated with cosmic completeness.
רָאשִֽׁיםheadwatersN m pl abs · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Complement of לְ phrase (the four)רֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head, top, beginning'; pl. רָאשִׁים used here for the heads/beginnings of the four rivers; the river becomes four sources.
11

שֵׁ֥ם הָֽאֶחָ֖ד פִּישׁ֑וֹן ה֣וּא הַסֹּבֵ֗ב אֵ֚ת כָּל אֶ֣רֶץ הַֽחֲוִילָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר שָׁ֖ם הַזָּהָֽב

The name of the first was Pishon; it is the one that flows around the whole land of Havilah, where the gold is.

elaborationשֵׁם
This verse begins the formal naming and description of the river branches introduced in verse 10. The nominal style slows the pace and gives geographic identification rather than event progression.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
שֵׁ֥םthe name ofN m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Subject (nominal clause)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; construct governing הָאֶחָד; the naming formula identifies each river branch.
הָֽאֶחָ֖דthe firstart + Ordinal adj m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Genitival complement (of שֵׁם)אֶחָד (H259) 'one'; used here as an ordinal 'the first'; introducing the catalogue of the four rivers.
פִּישׁ֑וֹןPishonProper noun · פִּישׁוֹן (H6376)Predicate nominative (name of the first river)פִּישׁוֹן (H6376) 'Pishon'; the name of the first river branch; its identification with any modern river is uncertain.
ה֣וּאit isPersonal pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (of relative clause or new predication)הוּא (H1931) '(it) is'; copulative pronoun resuming the river as subject for the following relative description.
הַסֹּבֵ֗בencirclesart + Qal ptc m sg abs · סָבַב (H5437)Predicate participle (relative/descriptive)→ Participle: ongoing, habitual encirclingסָבַב (H5437) 'to go around, encircle, surround'; the Pishon encircles the entire land of Havilah; the participle gives geographic description.
אֵ֚ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking the land of Havilah as the definite object of the encircling.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (head of construct chain)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole'; the Pishon encircles the whole land — not part of it.
אֶ֣רֶץland ofN (c) sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Construct chain (genitival)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, territory'; in construct with the proper name Havilah; designates the geographic territory.
הַֽחֲוִילָ֔הHavilahart + Proper noun · חֲוִילָה (H2341)Genitival complement (proper name)חֲוִילָה (H2341) 'Havilah'; a geographic territory; associated with gold and precious materials; possibly in Arabia.
אֲשֶׁרwhererelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (locative — where)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative pronoun functioning locally: 'where the gold is'; introduces the resource description.
שָׁ֖םthere isadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverb (predicative — existential)שָׁם (H8033) 'there'; existential sense: 'there is the gold' — the gold exists in that place.
הַזָּהָֽבthe goldart + N m sg abs · זָהָב (H2091)Subject (of existential clause)זָהָב (H2091) 'gold'; the most valuable of Havilah's resources; the resource notice implies the richness of the Edenic world.
12

וּֽזֲהַ֛ב הָאָ֥רֶץ הַהִ֖וא ט֑וֹב שָׁ֥ם הַבְּדֹ֖לַח וְאֶ֥בֶן הַשֹּֽׁהַם

And the gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there.

elaborationand
The description of Havilah continues with a brief resource notice. Rather than advancing the plot, the clause enriches the geographic portrait with evaluative and material detail.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וּֽזֲהַ֛בand the gold ofconj וּ + N m sg constr · זָהָב (H2091)Subject (of nominal predicate clause)זָהָב (H2091) 'gold'; resumed as the topic for further evaluation; the narrative pauses to note its quality.
הָאָ֥רֶץthat landart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitival complement (of זְהַב)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the land of Havilah already mentioned; the gold is specified by its location.
הַהִ֖ואthatart + Demonstrative pronoun 3fs · הִוא (H1931)Demonstrative modifier (of הָאָרֶץ)הִוא (H1931) 'that (f)'; the demonstrative distinguishes this particular land from all others; a geographic qualifier.
ט֑וֹבis goodAdj m sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Predicate adjective (nominal clause)טוֹב (H2896) 'good, fine'; the gold of Havilah is evaluated as fine quality; the garden's surrounding territory is richly endowed.
שָׁ֥םthereadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Existential adverb (predicative)שָׁם (H8033) 'there'; begins the second resource clause: 'there is bdellium and onyx stone.'
הַבְּדֹ֖לַחthe bdelliumart + N m sg abs · בְּדֹלַח (H916)Subject (of existential clause)בְּדֹלַח (H916) 'bdellium'; uncertain — possibly a fragrant resin, a pearl-like substance, or a precious stone; also in Num 11:7 comparing manna.
וְאֶ֥בֶןand stoneconj וְ + N f sg constr · אֶבֶן (H68)Second subject (of existential clause, coordinate)אֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; in construct with שֹׁהַם; stone is the material of which the second precious item consists.
הַשֹּֽׁהַםonyxart + N m sg abs · שֹׁהַם (H7718)Genitival complement (of אֶבֶן)שֹׁהַם (H7718) 'onyx, a precious stone'; exact identification disputed — beryl, lapis lazuli, or onyx; among the most precious materials.
13

וְשֵֽׁם הַנָּהָ֥ר הַשֵּׁנִ֖י גִּיח֑וֹן ה֣וּא הַסּוֹבֵ֔ב אֵ֖ת כָּל אֶ֥רֶץ כּֽוּשׁ

And the name of the second river was Gihon; it is the one that goes around all the land of Cush.

Enumerative continuation: second river namedוְשֵׁם
The descriptive catalogue of Eden's rivers continues by naming the second stream and identifying its surrounding territory. The verse is formally parallel to v.11, but shorter: it omits the relative clause about local resources and concentrates instead on the river's association with the land of Cush.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְשֵֽׁםand the name ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Subject (nominal clause, parallel to v.11)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; the naming formula continues the catalogue; conjunctive וְ advances the list.
הַנָּהָ֥רthe riverart + N m sg abs · נָהָר (H5104)Genitival complement (of שֵׁם)נָהָר (H5104) 'river'; the second of the four branches; specified by its ordinal number in the next word.
הַשֵּׁנִ֖יthe secondart + Ordinal adj m sg abs · שֵׁנִי (H8145)Attributive adjective (modifying הַנָּהָר)שֵׁנִי (H8145) 'second', from שְׁנַיִם 'two'; ordinal adjective marking sequence in the river catalogue.
גִּיח֑וֹןGihonProper noun · גִּיחוֹן (H1521)Predicate nominative (name of the second river)גִּיחוֹן (H1521) 'Gihon'; the second river; possibly related to גִּיחַ 'to gush forth'; location uncertain but associated with Cush.
ה֣וּאit isPersonal pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (resumptive pronoun)הוּא (H1931) '(it) is'; copulative pronoun, parallel to v.11; resumes Gihon as subject for the following description.
הַסּוֹבֵ֔בencirclesart + Qal ptc m sg abs · סָבַב (H5437)Predicate participle (descriptive)→ Participle: ongoing, habitual encirclingסָבַב (H5437) 'to go around, encircle'; the Gihon also encircles its territory; the same participle used of Pishon in v.11.
אֵ֖ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking the land of Cush as definite object.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (head of construct chain)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole'; the encircling is total — the whole land of Cush.
אֶ֥רֶץland ofN (c) sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Construct chain (genitival)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, territory'; in construct with Cush; the geographic zone encircled by the Gihon.
כּֽוּשׁCushProper noun · כּוּשׁ (H3568)Genitival complement (proper name)כּוּשׁ (H3568) 'Cush'; a geographic territory; in biblical usage associated with Ethiopia/Nubia or possibly a region of Mesopotamia.
14

וְשֵׁ֨ם הַנָּהָ֤ר הַשְּׁלִישִׁי֙ חִדֶּ֔קֶל ה֥וּא הַֽהֹלֵ֖ךְ קִדְמַ֣ת אַשּׁ֑וּר וְהַנָּהָ֥ר הָֽרְבִיעִ֖י ה֥וּא פְרָֽת

And the name of the third river was Hiddekel; it is the one that goes east of Asshur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.

Enumerative continuation: third and fourth rivers namedוְשֵׁם
The river catalogue reaches its close by identifying the third and fourth branches. The verse contains two parallel naming units, though the third is expanded by a locational clause ('east of Asshur') while the fourth is given in brief, almost as if Euphrates needs no further explanation.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְשֵׁ֨םand the name ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Subject (nominal clause, third river)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; the naming formula appears for the third time, continuing the river catalogue.
הַנָּהָ֤רthe riverart + N m sg abs · נָהָר (H5104)Genitival complement (of שֵׁם)נָהָר (H5104) 'river'; the third river branch; identified by name and location.
הַשְּׁלִישִׁי֙the thirdart + Ordinal adj m sg abs · שְׁלִישִׁי (H7992)Attributive adjective (modifying הַנָּהָר)שְׁלִישִׁי (H7992) 'third', from שָׁלוֹשׁ 'three'; the sequence of the four rivers is carefully enumerated.
חִדֶּ֔קֶלHiddekelProper noun · חִדֶּקֶל (H2313)Predicate nominative (name of the third river)חִדֶּקֶל (H2313) 'Hiddekel'; the Tigris River; the one certainly identifiable river in the list; confirms a Mesopotamian geographic setting.
ה֥וּאit isPersonal pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (resumptive pronoun)הוּא (H1931) '(it) is'; copulative pronoun; the same construction as vv. 11 and 13 for resuming the river as subject.
הַֽהֹלֵ֖ךְgoesart + Qal ptc m sg abs · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate participle (directional description)→ Participle: ongoing directional movementהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to go, walk, proceed'; the Tigris goes 'east of Asshur'; participle gives its orientation as a continuing characteristic.
קִדְמַ֣תeast ofN f sg constr · קִדְמָה (H6926)Directional complement (of הַהֹלֵךְ)קִדְמָה (H6926) 'the east, eastern side'; from קֶדֶם 'east, ancient time'; in construct with Asshur giving the river's orientation.
אַשּׁ֑וּרAsshurProper noun · אַשּׁוּר (H804)Genitival complement (of קִדְמַת)אַשּׁוּר (H804) 'Asshur, Assyria'; the Mesopotamian territory east of which the Tigris flows; confirms the geographic setting.
וְהַנָּהָ֥רand the riverconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · נָהָר (H5104)Subject (fourth river clause)נָהָר (H5104) 'river'; the fourth and final river, identified without a participial description — it needs none.
הָֽרְבִיעִ֖יthe fourthart + Ordinal adj m sg abs · רְבִיעִי (H7243)Attributive adjective (modifying הַנָּהָר)רְבִיעִי (H7243) 'fourth', from אַרְבַּע 'four'; completes the fourfold enumeration of the rivers.
ה֥וּאit isPersonal pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copulative pronounהוּא (H1931) '(it) is'; copulative pronoun giving the fourth river's name; the brevity signals that the Euphrates needs no further description.
פְרָֽתEuphratesProper noun · פְּרָת (H6578)Predicate nominative (name of the fourth river)פְּרָת (H6578) 'Euphrates'; the great river of Mesopotamia; the most famous of the four; its mention anchors the geography firmly.
15

וַיִּקַּ֛ח יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶת הָֽאָדָ֑ם וַיַּנִּחֵ֣הוּ בְגַן עֵ֔דֶן לְעָבְדָ֖הּ וּלְשָׁמְרָֽהּ

And Yahweh God took the human and placed him in the garden of Eden to work it and to keep it.

Narrative advance: the human placed and commissioned in Edenוַיִּקַּח
With the river catalogue complete, the narrative returns to the human and narrates his placement within Eden. The verse is tightly purposive: Yahweh God's taking and placing of the human is not merely spatial relocation but assignment to a vocation, expressed by the paired infinitives 'to work it and to keep it.'
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיִּקַּ֛חtookconj וַ + Qal wayyiq 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, receive'; God takes the human, resuming the main narrative after the geographic interlude of vv. 10–14.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHProper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068) divine personal name; YHWH God returns as active agent to commission the man.
אֱלֹהִ֖יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive (compound divine name)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; compound name continues; the act is both personal (YHWH) and cosmic (Elohim).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking the human as definite direct object.
הָֽאָדָ֑םthe humanart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Direct objectאָדָם (H120) 'human'; the man who was formed (v.7), placed (v.8), and now taken and officially installed with a vocation.
וַיַּנִּחֵ֣הוּplaced himconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiq 3ms + 3ms suf · נוּחַ (H3240)Predicate verb (coordinated main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנוּחַ (H3240) 'to rest, set down, place'; Hiphil: 'to cause to rest, set in place'; God formally installs the man in the garden.
בְגַןin the garden ofprep בְּ + N (c) sg constr · גַּן (H1588)Locative prepositional phraseגַּן (H1588) 'garden'; the garden planted in v.8; now named as the man's place of vocation.
עֵ֔דֶןEdenProper noun · עֵדֶן (H5731)Genitival complement (of בְּגַן)עֵדֶן (H5731) 'Eden'; the garden's geographic setting; the man's commission comes within the delightful, ordered space.
לְעָבְדָ֖הּto work itprep לְ + Qal inf constr + 3fs suf · עָבַד (H5647)Purpose infinitive (first of pair)→ Infinitive construct: purpose clauseעָבַד (H5647) 'to work, serve, cultivate'; the first vocation of the man: working the garden is royal-priestly service, not mere toil.
וּלְשָׁמְרָֽהּand to keep itconj וּ + prep לְ + Qal inf constr + 3fs suf · שָׁמַר (H8104)Purpose infinitive (second of pair)→ Infinitive construct: purpose clauseשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard, watch over'; paired with עָבַד: together cultivation and guardianship define the man's double vocation.
16

וַיְצַו֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֔ים עַל הָֽאָדָ֖ם לֵאמֹ֑ר מִכֹּ֥ל עֵֽץ הַגָּ֖ן אָכֹ֥ל תֹּאכֵֽל

And Yahweh God commanded the human, saying, 'From every tree of the garden you may surely eat,'

Narrative sequence: first explicit command to the humanוַיְצַו
The verse introduces the first direct command given to the human. It begins with the formal verb of command rather than the simpler 'said,' and the infinitive absolute with imperfect ('you may surely eat') gives the permission generous emphasis before the prohibition of v.17 narrows the boundary.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיְצַו֙commandedconj וַ + Piel wayyiq 3ms · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceצָוָה (H6680) 'to command, charge'; Piel: strong volitional speech act; the first divine command given to the human.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHProper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068) divine personal name; YHWH God as the one who commands; the command defines the covenantal relationship.
אֱלֹהִ֔יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive (compound divine name)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the compound name underscores that this command comes from both the creator and the covenant God.
עַלconcerningprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (concerning the human)עַל (H5921) 'upon, over, concerning'; the command is issued 'upon/concerning' the man — directed at him.
הָֽאָדָ֖םthe humanart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Object of preposition עַל (addressee)אָדָם (H120) 'human'; the recipient of the command; life in the garden is vocation plus obedience.
לֵאמֹ֑רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Speech-introduction infinitive→ Infinitive construct: introducing direct discourseאָמַר (H559) 'to say, speak'; לֵאמֹר is the standard Hebrew formula introducing the content of a speech or command.
מִכֹּ֥לfrom everyprep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Partitive prepositional phrase (governing permission)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; the permission is comprehensive: every tree of the garden is freely available.
עֵֽץtree ofN m sg constr · עֵץ (H6086)Construct chain (genitival)עֵץ (H6086) 'tree'; governs הַגָּן in construct; the abundant provision of the garden is the backdrop for the prohibition.
הַגָּ֖ןthe gardenart + N (c) sg abs · גַּן (H1588)Genitival complement (of עֵץ)גַּן (H1588) 'garden'; the garden as the sphere of plentiful provision; the prohibition is set within radical generosity.
אָכֹ֥לfreely eatQal inf abs · אָכַל (H398)Infinitive absolute (emphatic intensifier of permission)→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic affirmation of the following verbאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; inf abs before the imperfect intensifies permission: 'you may freely eat' — emphatic generosity.
תֹּאכֵֽלyou shall eatQal impf 2ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (permissive imperfect)→ Yiqtol: permissive — broad divine grantאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; with preceding inf abs: 'you shall surely/freely eat'; the emphasis is on abundance before the single prohibition.
17

וּמֵעֵ֗ץ הַדַּ֨עַת֙ ט֣וֹב וָרָ֔ע לֹ֥א תֹאכַ֖ל מִמֶּ֑נּוּ כִּ֗י בְּי֛וֹם אֲכָלְךָ֥ מִמֶּ֖נּוּ מ֥וֹת תָּמֽוּת

but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it, you shall surely die.

Coordinated restriction and sanctionוּמֵעֵץ
The broad permission of v.16 is now sharply delimited by a single prohibition. The verse falls into two parts: first the ban concerning the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, then the sanction introduced by כִּי. The closing infinitive absolute plus imperfect ('you shall surely die') gives the warning emphatic finality.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וּמֵעֵ֗ץbut from the tree ofconj וּ + prep מִן + N m sg constr · עֵץ (H6086)Partitive prepositional phrase (introducing prohibition)עֵץ (H6086) 'tree'; the conjunction waw marks the sharp turn from permission to prohibition; מִן restricts eating from this tree.
הַדַּ֨עַת֙the knowledge ofart + N f sg abs · דַּעַת (H1847)Genitival complement (of עֵץ)דַּעַת (H1847) 'knowledge'; from יָדַע 'to know'; the tree that confers experiential knowledge of moral categories.
ט֣וֹבgoodAdj m sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)First element of merismטוֹב (H2896) 'good'; the positive pole; with רַע forms the merism indicating comprehensive knowledge of all moral reality.
וָרָ֔עand evilconj וָ + Adj m sg abs · רַע (H7451)Second element of merismרַע (H7451) 'evil, harmful, bad'; the negative pole of the merism; together with טוֹב denotes the full range of experienced reality.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation (of תֹאכַל)לֹא (H3808) 'not'; the categorical negation that turns the following imperfect into a prohibition; absolute, not conditional.
תֹאכַ֖לyou shall eatQal impf 2ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (prohibitive imperfect)→ Yiqtol: prohibitive — 'you shall not eat'אָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; with לֹא: 'you shall not eat'; the same verb as the permission in v.16 — the contrast is deliberate.
מִמֶּ֑נּוּfrom itprep מִן + 3ms suf · מִן (H4480)Partitive prepositional phrase (object of prohibition)מִן (H4480) 'from'; with 3ms suffix: 'from it' — the specific tree; prohibition is not vague but precisely located.
כִּ֗יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (introducing the sanction)כִּי (H3588) 'because, for'; introduces the rationale of the prohibition: the consequence of eating.
בְּי֛וֹםin the dayprep בְּ + N m sg constr · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phrase (governing infinitive)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; בְּיוֹם introduces a temporal clause: 'in the day that you eat' = 'when you eat.'
אֲכָלְךָ֥you eatQal inf constr + 2ms suf · אָכַל (H398)Temporal infinitival clause (complement of בְּיוֹם)→ Infinitive construct: action as temporal conditionאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; inf constr with pronominal subject suffix: 'your eating from it' = 'when you eat from it.'
מִמֶּ֖נּוּfrom itprep מִן + 3ms suf · מִן (H4480)Partitive prepositional phrase (repeated for emphasis)מִן (H4480) 'from'; second occurrence: the repetition 'from it... from it' underscores which tree is meant.
מ֥וֹתdieQal inf abs · מוּת (H4191)Infinitive absolute (emphatic intensifier of sanction)→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic, certain consequenceמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; inf abs before the imperfect creates the emphatic idiom 'dying you shall die' = 'you shall surely die.'
תָּמֽוּתyou shall dieQal impf 2ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (apodosis — sanction)→ Yiqtol: modal — certain future consequenceמוּת (H4191) 'to die, perish'; the climactic sanction; with the preceding inf abs leaves no ambiguity about the gravity of transgression.
18

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֔ים לֹא ט֛וֹב הֱי֥וֹת הָֽאָדָ֖ם לְבַדּ֑וֹ אֶֽעֱשֶׂהּ לּ֥וֹ עֵ֖זֶר כְּנֶגְדּֽוֹ

And Yahweh God said, 'It is not good for the human to be alone; I will make for him a helper corresponding to him.'

Narrative turn: divine assessment and resolveוַיֹּאמֶר
For the first time in the creation story something is declared 'not good.' The verse combines divine evaluation with immediate resolve: Yahweh God identifies the human's solitude as deficient and then states his intention to make a fitting counterpart. The wording prepares for the woman not as an afterthought but as the divinely judged answer to human aloneness.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiq 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause — speech introduction)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say, speak'; introduces divine speech; the speech contains the first divine evaluation of something as 'not good.'
יְהוָ֣הYHWHProper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068) divine personal name; the personal, relational God who observes and acts to address the human's aloneness.
אֱלֹהִ֔יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive (compound divine name)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the compound name continues; the divine assessment and resolve come from both the covenant God and creator.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation (of טוֹב — predicative)לֹא (H3808) 'not'; the divine negation of good is the first time in Genesis something is declared 'not good'; a pivotal evaluation.
ט֛וֹבgoodAdj m sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Predicate adjective (negative predication)טוֹב (H2896) 'good'; the standard of Gen 1 is now inverted: this situation fails to reach the level of divine approval.
הֱי֥וֹתto beQal inf constr · הָיָה (H1961)Infinitival subject (of לֹא טוֹב clause)→ Infinitive construct: action as verbal noun — subjectהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, exist'; inf constr functions as the subject: 'the being of the human alone is not good.'
הָֽאָדָ֖םthe humanart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Subject of infinitival clauseאָדָם (H120) 'human'; the subject of the inf constr; the man's aloneness is the stated problem.
לְבַדּ֑וֹaloneprep לְ + N m sg constr + 3ms suf · בַּד (H905)Adverbial complement (specifying the condition)בַּד (H905) 'separation, aloneness'; לְבַדּוֹ = 'by himself, alone'; the human's isolation is what is declared not good.
אֶֽעֱשֶׂהּI will makeQal impf 1cs + 3fs suf · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (divine resolve)→ Yiqtol: volitional — divine intention and resolveעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make, do'; first-person divine resolve; the 3fs suffix anticipates the woman; God announces his intention.
לּ֥וֹfor himprep לְ + 3ms suf · לְDative prepositional phrase (beneficiary)לְ (prep) 'for, to'; marks the man as the beneficiary of the coming creation; the helper is for the man.
עֵ֖זֶרa helperN m sg abs · עֵזֶר (H5828)Direct object (of אֶעֱשֶׂהּ)עֵזֶר (H5828) 'helper, help'; from עָזַר 'to help, assist'; the term is used of God himself in Ps 121:2; not a diminished role but vital correspondence.
כְּנֶגְדּֽוֹcorresponding to himprep כְּ + N + 3ms suf · נֶגֶד (H5048)Predicative phrase (specifying the helper's nature)נֶגֶד (H5048) 'front, opposite, corresponding to'; כְּנֶגְדּוֹ = 'as his counterpart matching him'; neither identical nor merely subordinate but precisely fitted.
19

וַיִּצֶר֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהִ֜ים מִן הָֽאֲדָמָ֗ה כָּל חַיַּ֤ת הַשָּׂדֶה֙ וְאֵת֙ כָּל ע֣וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וַיָּבֵא֙ אֶל הָ֣אָדָ֔ם לִרְא֖וֹת מַה יִּקְרָא ל֑וֹ וְכֹל֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִקְרָא ל֧וֹ הָֽאָדָ֛ם נֶ֥פֶשׁ חַיָּ֖ה ה֥וּא שְׁמֽוֹ

And Yahweh God formed from the ground every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens, and he brought them to the man to see what he would call each one; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.

Narrative development: presentation of the creatures for namingו
The wayyiqtol sequence continues the shaping of the human world, but now the action narrows to the man's discernment and authority. The verse moves from divine forming and bringing to the climactic naming clause, where the man's speech fixes the identity of the creatures set before him.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
וַיִּצֶר֩formedconj וַ + Qal wayyiq 3ms · יָצַר (H3335)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָצַר (H3335) 'to form, fashion'; the same verb as v.7; YHWH God forms the animals from the ground as he formed the man.
יְהוָ֨הYHWHProper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068) divine personal name; the relational God who brings the creatures to the man to address his aloneness.
אֱלֹהִ֜יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive (compound divine name)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; compound divine name; the forming is both personal and cosmic in scope.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Source prepositional phraseמִן (H4480) 'from, out of'; the animals arise from the ground — the same source as the human, underscoring creatureliness.
הָֽאֲדָמָ֗הthe groundart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Object of preposition מִןאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, soil'; the animals share the man's earthly origin; the ground is the source of all creaturely life in this narrative.
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (head of noun phrase)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; the full range of land creatures is formed and presented; no animal is excluded from the search.
חַיַּ֤תanimal ofN f sg constr · חַיָּה (H2416)Construct chain (nominal subject continued)חַיָּה (H2416) 'living creature, wild animal'; the wild beasts of the open field, distinct from domestic livestock.
הַשָּׂדֶה֙the fieldart + N m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Genitival complement (of חַיַּת)שָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field, open land'; the sphere of wild creatures; the man is shown the full range of the animal world.
וְאֵת֙and [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second direct object)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi coordinating the second category of creatures brought to the man.
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (second head of construct chain)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; the second category; together with the first covers land animals and birds comprehensively.
ע֣וֹףbird ofN m sg constr · עוֹף (H5775)Construct chain (second nominal object)עוֹף (H5775) 'bird, flying creature'; all avian creatures are presented alongside the land animals.
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִםthe heavensart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Genitival complement (of עוֹף)שָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens, sky'; the birds belong to the realm above; together with the land animals a comprehensive inventory.
וַיָּבֵא֙broughtconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiq 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (coordinated main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, go'; Hiphil: 'to bring, lead'; the divine bringing has the character of a royal presentation — creatures set before the king.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the destination of the bringing — God brings the creatures to the man.
הָ֣אָדָ֔םthe humanart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Object of preposition אֶלאָדָם (H120) 'human'; the man as the recipient of the parade of creatures; naming them demonstrates both authority and discernment.
לִרְא֖וֹתto seeprep לְ + Qal inf constr · רָאָה (H7200)Purpose infinitive (divine purpose)→ Infinitive construct: purpose/intentionרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, observe, perceive'; God brings the creatures to see what the man would call them — divine observance of human naming.
מַהwhatInterrogative pronoun · מַה (H4100)Interrogative pronoun (introducing indirect question)מַה (H4100) 'what, how'; introduces the indirect question embedded in the divine purpose: 'to see what he would call each one.'
יִּקְרָאhe would callQal impf 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (indirect question)→ Yiqtol: modal — what the man would/should callקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, name'; the naming of creatures reveals human discernment and establishes the man's authority over the animal world.
ל֑וֹitprep לְ + 3ms suf · לְDative prepositional phrase (referential — for each)לְ (prep) 'to, for'; 'what he would call to/for it' = what name he would give it; a Hebraism for naming.
וְכֹל֩and whateverconj וְ + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (of generalizing relative clause)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, whatever'; introduces the generalizing apodosis: whatever the man called, that is its name.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introducing the generalizing relative)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative pronoun; the construction וְכֹל אֲשֶׁר = 'and whatever, everything that.'
יִקְרָאcalledQal impf 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (generalizing relative clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/generalizing — whatever he calledקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, name'; the imperfect here has a generalizing or iterative sense: 'whatever he kept calling it.'
ל֧וֹitprep לְ + 3ms suf · לְDative prepositional phrase (referential)לְ (prep) 'to, for'; second occurrence: each creature is named in turn.
הָֽאָדָ֛םthe humanart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Subject (of generalizing relative clause)אָדָם (H120) 'human'; the man exercises naming authority; naming in the ancient world reflects knowledge and dominion.
נֶ֥פֶשׁcreatureN (c) sg abs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Predicate nominative (resumed subject of naming)נֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, person, living being'; here = living creature; the same word applied to the man in v.7.
חַיָּ֖הlivingAdj f sg abs · חַי (H2416)Attributive adjective (modifying נֶפֶשׁ)חַי (H2416) 'living, alive'; נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה used of the animals as it was of the man — all are animated creatures before God.
ה֥וּאthat wasPersonal pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copulative pronoun (predicate equating name with what was called)הוּא (H1931) '(it) is'; copulative: 'that was its name' — the name given by the man is its definitive, fixed identity.
שְׁמֽוֹits nameN m sg constr + 3ms suf · שֵׁם (H8034)Predicate nominative (the creature's name)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; the name given by the man becomes the creature's permanent identity; naming is an act of sovereign knowledge.
20

וַיִּקְרָ֨א הָֽאָדָ֜ם שֵׁמ֗וֹת לְכָל הַבְּהֵמָה֙ וּלְע֣וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וּלְכֹ֖ל חַיַּ֣ת הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה וּלְאָדָ֕ם לֹֽא מָצָ֥א עֵ֖זֶר כְּנֶגְדּֽוֹ

And the man gave names to all the livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field, but for the man no helper corresponding to him was found.

Narrative development with contrastive outcomeו
The verse first summarizes the successful naming of the animal world and then pivots sharply to the unresolved human lack. The final clause supplies the narrative pressure that makes the woman's creation necessary: authority over the creatures does not answer the man's solitude.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיִּקְרָ֨אgave namesconj וַ + Qal wayyiq 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (main clause — summarizing)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, name'; summarizes the comprehensive naming event described in v.19.
הָֽאָדָ֜םthe humanart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Subjectאָדָם (H120) 'human'; the man exercises naming authority over the entire animal world.
שֵׁמ֗וֹתnamesN m pl abs · שֵׁם (H8034)Direct object (of וַיִּקְרָא)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; now in the plural: the man assigned names — specific identities — to every creature.
לְכָלto allprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Dative prepositional phrase (first category)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; the naming extends to every creature in the category; comprehensive authority.
הַבְּהֵמָה֙the livestockart + N f sg abs · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Object of preposition לְ (first creature-class)בְּהֵמָה (H929) 'beast, livestock, domestic animal'; domestic animals are named first; different from the wild חַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה.
וּלְע֣וֹףand to the birds ofconj וּ + prep לְ + N m sg constr · עוֹף (H5775)Dative prepositional phrase (second category)עוֹף (H5775) 'bird, flying creature'; the second category named; birds of the heavens are included in the man's naming authority.
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִםthe heavensart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Genitival complement (of עוֹף)שָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens, sky'; the aerial domain; together with land creatures a comprehensive survey.
וּלְכֹ֖לand to everyconj וּ + prep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Dative prepositional phrase (third category head)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; the third and final category; the list is exhaustive.
חַיַּ֣תanimal ofN f sg constr · חַיָּה (H2416)Construct chain (third creature-class)חַיָּה (H2416) 'living creature, wild animal'; the wild animals of the field complete the enumeration of the named creatures.
הַשָּׂדֶ֑הthe fieldart + N m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Genitival complement (of חַיַּת)שָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field, open land'; the domain of wild animals; cf. v.19 where these same creatures were formed and brought.
וּלְאָדָ֕םbut for the humanconj וּ + prep לְ + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Adversative prepositional phrase (pivot to the lack)אָדָם (H120) 'human'; the pivot point: after the comprehensive naming, the camera turns to what the man did not find.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation (of מָצָא)לֹא (H3808) 'not'; the negation drives the narrative: the entire animal world could not supply what the man needed.
מָצָ֥אwas foundQal perf 3ms · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb (impersonal — nothing was found)→ Perfective: a concluded (non-)discoveryמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; impersonal or with עֵזֶר as subject: 'a helper was not found'; the search among the animals yields nothing adequate.
עֵ֖זֶרa helperN m sg abs · עֵזֶר (H5828)Subject (of impersonal clause — what was not found)עֵזֶר (H5828) 'helper, help'; the lack is specific: no animal can function as the corresponding counterpart the man needs.
כְּנֶגְדּֽוֹcorresponding to himprep כְּ + N + 3ms suf · נֶגֶד (H5048)Predicative phrase (specifying the kind of helper not found)נֶגֶד (H5048) 'counterpart, opposite, corresponding'; repeated from v.18; no animal answers to this description — only the coming woman will.
21

וַיַּפֵּל֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהִ֧ים תַּרְדֵּמָ֛ה עַל הָאָדָ֖ם וַיִּישָׁ֑ן וַיִּקַּ֗ח אַחַת֙ מִצַּלְעֹתָ֔יו וַיִּסְגֹּ֥ר בָּשָׂ֖ר תַּחְתֶּֽנָּה

So Yahweh God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his sides and closed up flesh in its place.

Narrative advance: divine preparation for the woman’s creationו
The narrative now passes decisively from the failed search among the animals to Yahweh God's direct provision. A tight chain of wayyiqtol verbs narrates the operation step by step: causing sleep, the man's sleeping, taking from his side, and closing the flesh.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיַּפֵּל֩caused to fallconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiq 3ms · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; Hiphil: 'to cause to fall upon'; God causes the deep sleep to descend on the man.
יְהוָ֨הYHWHProper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068) divine personal name; YHWH God directly intervenes in the creative act to form the woman.
אֱלֹהִ֧יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive (compound divine name)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the compound divine name; the surgical act is performed by the creator God.
תַּרְדֵּמָ֛הdeep sleepN f sg abs · תַּרְדֵּמָה (H8639)Direct object (of causative verb)תַּרְדֵּמָה (H8639) 'deep sleep, trance'; related to רָדַם 'to fall into deep sleep'; a divinely induced unconsciousness, cf. Gen 15:12.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Directional prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, on'; the sleep falls upon the man; divine agency from above.
הָאָדָ֖םthe humanart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Object of preposition עַלאָדָם (H120) 'human'; the man as the passive recipient of the divinely induced sleep during the creative operation.
וַיִּישָׁ֑ןsleptconj וַ + Qal wayyiq 3ms · יָשֵׁן (H3462)Predicate verb (coordinated result)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָשֵׁן (H3462) 'to sleep'; the man's slumber during the creative act underscores that he is not the agent; the woman's creation is entirely God's work.
וַיִּקַּ֗חtookconj וַ + Qal wayyiq 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (sequential narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, receive'; God takes the material for the woman from the sleeping man.
אַחַת֙oneCardinal num f sg abs · אַחַת (H259)Direct object (of וַיִּקַּח)אַחַת (H259) 'one (f)'; feminine numeral; one of the sides — the indeterminate 'one' leaves the specifics appropriately open.
מִצַּלְעֹתָ֔יוfrom his sidesprep מִן + N (c) pl constr + 3ms suf · צֵלָע (H6763)Partitive prepositional phraseצֵלָע (H6763) 'side, rib, plank'; can mean 'rib' or broader 'side'; the architectural use in 1 Kgs 6 and the plural here suggest the broader 'side.'
וַיִּסְגֹּ֥רclosed upconj וַ + Qal wayyiq 3ms · סָגַר (H5462)Predicate verb (sequential narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceסָגַר (H5462) 'to close, shut'; God closes the wound; the act of closure restores the man's bodily integrity after the taking.
בָּשָׂ֖רfleshN m sg abs · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Direct object (of וַיִּסְגֹּר)בָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh, meat, body'; flesh closes the gap left by the removed side; the same word will appear in v.23's exclamation.
תַּחְתֶּֽנָּהin its placeprep תַּחַת + 3fs suf · תַּחַת (H8478)Adverbial prepositional phrase (location of closure)תַּחַת (H8478) 'under, beneath, instead of, in place of'; 'instead of it/in its place'; the flesh replaces what was taken.
22

וַיִּבֶן֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהִ֧ים אֶֽת הַצֵּלָ֛ע אֲשֶׁר לָקַ֥ח מִן הָֽאָדָ֖ם לְאִשָּׁ֑ה וַיְבִאֶ֖הָ אֶל הָֽאָדָֽם

And Yahweh God built the side that he had taken from the man into a woman, and he brought her to the man.

Narrative climax: the woman is fashioned and presentedו
The sequence reaches its constructive climax: what was taken from the man is now built into the woman and then ceremonially brought to him. The verb 'built' slows the narration and gives the woman's formation a deliberate, crafted dignity.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיִּבֶן֩builtconj וַ + Qal wayyiq 3ms · בָּנָה (H1129)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבָּנָה (H1129) 'to build, construct'; rarely used of biological formation; the choice of word gives the woman's creation an architectural, deliberate dignity.
יְהוָ֨הYHWHProper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068) divine personal name; YHWH God as the craftsman who builds the woman.
אֱלֹהִ֧יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive (compound divine name)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; compound name continues; the one who builds the woman is both covenant-God and creator-God.
אֶֽת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking the side/rib as the definite object of the building.
הַצֵּלָ֛עthe sideart + N (c) sg abs · צֵלָע (H6763)Direct object (of וַיִּבֶן)צֵלָע (H6763) 'side, rib'; the same word as in v.21; the taken side is now the raw material for the building of the woman.
אֲשֶׁרwhichrelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introducing relative clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative pronoun; ties the material of the woman's construction to the act in v.21.
לָקַ֥חhe had takenQal perf 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed, prior actionלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, receive'; the taking in v.21 is now recalled as the source of the woman's material substance.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Source prepositional phraseמִן (H4480) 'from, out of'; the side was taken from the man — her origin is literally from within him.
הָֽאָדָ֖םthe humanart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Object of preposition מִןאָדָם (H120) 'human'; the man is the source-material of the woman; their shared substance grounds the man's exclamation in v.23.
לְאִשָּׁ֑הinto a womanprep לְ + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Predicate complement (lamed of result/purpose)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; God builds the side into a woman; the result of the construction is a full person, not merely matter.
וַיְבִאֶ֖הָbrought herconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiq 3ms + 3fs suf · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (coordinated main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; Hiphil: 'to bring'; God ceremonially brings the woman to the man — a formal presentation.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the man as the destination of the presentation; God brings them together.
הָֽאָדָֽםthe humanart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Object of preposition אֶלאָדָם (H120) 'human'; the man receives the woman brought by God — the scene is a divine giving in marriage.
23

וַיֹּאמֶר֮ הָֽאָדָם֒ זֹ֣את הַפַּ֗עַם עֶ֚צֶם מֵֽעֲצָמַ֔י וּבָשָׂ֖ר מִבְּשָׂרִ֑י לְזֹאת֙ יִקָּרֵ֣א אִשָּׁ֔ה כִּ֥י מֵאִ֖ישׁ לֻֽקֳחָה זֹּֽאת

Then the man said, 'This one at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called Woman, because from man this one was taken.'

Narrative peak: exclamation of recognition and namingו
The prose action yields to elevated direct speech. The man's exclamation answers the narrative tension of verse 20, first recognizing shared substance and then interpreting the relation through a wordplay between איש and אשה.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיֹּאמֶר֮saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiq 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (speech introduction)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say, speak'; the first recorded human speech; the man's words answer the silence of the failed animal search.
הָֽאָדָם֒the humanart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Subjectאָדָם (H120) 'human'; the man speaks for the first time; his exclamation is elevated, quasi-poetic speech recognizing the woman.
זֹ֣אתthis oneDemonstrative pronoun f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Subject (of exclamatory predication)זֹאת (H2063) 'this one (f)'; emphatic demonstrative; the man singles out the woman as the one who answers his need — 'this one at last!'
הַפַּ֗עַםat lastart + N f sg abs · פַּעַם (H6471)Adverbial accusative (temporal emphasis)פַּעַם (H6471) 'time, occurrence, step'; הַפַּעַם = 'this time, now at last'; marks the resolution after the failed animal search.
עֶ֚צֶםbone ofN f sg abs · עֶצֶם (H6106)Predicate nominative (first member of identification)עֶצֶם (H6106) 'bone, substance, self'; the woman shares the man's bodily substance; the exclamation moves from shared essence to shared flesh.
מֵֽעֲצָמַ֔יfrom my bonesprep מִן + N f pl constr + 1cs suf · עֶצֶם (H6106)Genitival complement (possessive — my bones)עֶצֶם (H6106) 'bone'; the plural 'my bones' expresses the man's full skeletal substance; the woman is from his very substance.
וּבָשָׂ֖רand fleshconj וּ + N m sg abs · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Predicate nominative (second member of identification)בָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh, body'; together 'bone and flesh' is a Hebrew idiom for kinship solidarity (cf. Gen 29:14); the woman is kin of the highest order.
מִבְּשָׂרִ֑יfrom my fleshprep מִן + N m sg constr + 1cs suf · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Genitival complement (possessive — my flesh)בָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh'; 'from my flesh' — the parallelism bone/bones :: flesh/flesh gives the recognition speech a poetic, heightened quality.
לְזֹאת֙to this oneprep לְ + Demonstrative pronoun f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Dative prepositional phrase (naming referent)זֹאת (H2063) 'this one (f)'; the naming is attached to the woman with לְ: 'to this one shall be called...'
יִקָּרֵ֣אshall be calledNiphal impf 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (naming declaration)→ Yiqtol: declarative/jussive — this is her nameקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, name'; Niphal passive: 'shall be called'; the man declares the woman's identity through a formal naming act.
אִשָּׁ֔הwomanN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Predicate nominative (the name declared)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; the name; the paronomasia with אִישׁ 'man' sounds an identity-within-differentiation: she is woman because from man.
כִּ֥יbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (grounding the name)כִּי (H3588) 'because, for'; introduces the etymological grounding of the name: the woman is called אִשָּׁה because she was taken from אִישׁ.
מֵאִ֖ישׁfrom manprep מִן + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Source prepositional phrase (etiological)אִישׁ (H376) 'man, husband'; the source of the woman; the wordplay אִישׁ / אִשָּׁה is the narrative's key paronomasia.
לֻֽקֳחָהwas takenPual perf 3fs · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: completed foundational eventלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; Pual passive 3fs: 'she was taken'; the passive grounds the naming in the creative act — God took her from man.
זֹּֽאתthis oneDemonstrative pronoun f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Subject (of Pual passive clause)זֹאת (H2063) 'this one (f)'; resumptive subject bringing the exclamation to its close; the woman's identity is located in her origin from the man.
24

עַל כֵּן֙ יַֽעֲזָב אִ֔ישׁ אֶת אָבִ֖יו וְאֶת אִמּ֑וֹ וְדָבַ֣ק בְּאִשְׁתּ֔וֹ וְהָי֖וּ לְבָשָׂ֥ר אֶחָֽד

Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.

Narrative inference: foundational marriage statementעַל־כֵּן
The narrative pauses for a gnomic inference drawn from the preceding scene. Moving from the primal pair to the general pattern of human marriage, the text turns origin story into normative anthropology: departure, adhesion, and one-flesh union.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
עַלthereforeprep · עַל (H5921)Causal prepositional phrase (part of עַל כֵּן)עַל (H5921) 'upon, over'; עַל כֵּן together = 'therefore, for this reason'; introduces the narrator's etiological inference.
כֵּן֙thereforeadverb/particle · כֵּן (H3651)Inferential particle (completes עַל כֵּן formula)כֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus, therefore'; עַל כֵּן = the classic inference formula pointing back to the preceding event as the ground for the statement.
יַֽעֲזָבleavesQal impf 3ms · עָזַב (H5800)Predicate verb (gnomic imperfect)→ Yiqtol: gnomic/customary — the normative human patternעָזַב (H5800) 'to leave, forsake, abandon'; the gnomic imperfect expresses the universal human pattern: a man leaves parental household for his wife.
אִ֔ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (generic/gnomic)אִישׁ (H376) 'man, husband'; anarthrous and generic: any man, every man; the statement is normative and universal.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking the father as definite object.
אָבִ֖יוhis fatherN m sg constr + 3ms suf · אָב (H1)Direct object (first parent)אָב (H1) 'father'; with suffix: 'his father'; leaving father and mother means departing the household of origin entirely.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second parent)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi coordinating the second parent as definite object.
אִמּ֑וֹhis motherN f sg constr + 3ms suf · אֵם (H517)Direct object (second parent)אֵם (H517) 'mother'; with suffix; both father and mother are named — the departure is complete, from both lines of the family of origin.
וְדָבַ֣קand clingsconj וְ + Qal weq 3ms · דָּבַק (H1692)Predicate verb (sequential weqatal)→ Weqatal: sequential normative — the second stepדָּבַק (H1692) 'to cling, adhere, cleave'; intense, exclusive attachment; the same root appears in the Deuteronomic call to cling to YHWH.
בְּאִשְׁתּ֔וֹto his wifeprep בְּ + N f sg constr + 3ms suf · אִשָּׁה (H802)Object of prepositional verb (דָּבַק בְּ)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; with suffix: 'his wife'; the clinging is directed exclusively to the wife; a covenant bond of loyalty.
וְהָי֖וּand they becomeconj וְ + Qal weq 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (resultative weqatal)→ Weqatal: resultative — the outcome achievedהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the result of leaving and clinging: they become — a new social and physical unity emerges.
לְבָשָׂ֥רone fleshprep לְ + N m sg abs · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Predicate complement (lamed of result)בָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh, body'; the lamed of result: 'they become one flesh'; a unified bodily and personal union, not merely physical.
אֶחָֽדoneCardinal num m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Attributive numeral (modifying בָּשָׂר)אֶחָד (H259) 'one'; the numerical marker of unity; 'one flesh' is the biblical definition of marital union: differentiated persons in complete solidarity.
25

וַיִּֽהְי֤וּ שְׁנֵיהֶם֙ עֲרוּמִּ֔ים הָֽאָדָ֖ם וְאִשְׁתּ֑וֹ וְלֹ֖א יִתְבֹּשָֽׁשׁוּ

And the two of them were naked, the man and his wife, and they were not ashamed.

Narrative resting state before the fallו
The close comes not with a new act but with a settled condition. The brief description forms a serene coda to the union of the pair and quietly prepares for the wordplay and tension of the next chapter, where nakedness and shrewdness will meet.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיִּֽהְי֤וּwereconj וַ + Qal wayyiq 3mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause — settling state)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, exist'; describes the settled condition of the primordial couple before the fall; the narrative rests here.
שְׁנֵיהֶם֙both of themNum dual constr + 3mp suf · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Subject (of the settling state)שְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; with suffix: 'both of them'; the paired couple is the subject — the union of v.24 is now a described reality.
עֲרוּמִּ֔יםnakedAdj m pl abs · עָרֹם (H6174)Predicate adjectiveעָרֹם (H6174) 'naked, bare'; root עור/ערה; deliberately paired with עָרוּם 'crafty' in Gen 3:1 — a key paronomasia signaling what is coming.
הָֽאָדָ֖םthe humanart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Appositive (identifying שְׁנֵיהֶם)אָדָם (H120) 'human, man'; resumptive appositive specifying who the two are: the man and his wife.
וְאִשְׁתּ֑וֹand his wifeconj וְ + N f sg constr + 3ms suf · אִשָּׁה (H802)Coordinated appositiveאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; with suffix: 'his wife'; the pair identified; the relationship of v.24 is now presented in its original blessed state.
וְלֹ֖אand notconj וְ + negative · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating conjunction + negationלֹא (H3808) 'not'; negates the following verb; the condition of shamelessness is the final mark of prelapsarian innocence.
יִתְבֹּשָֽׁשׁוּwere ashamedHitpael impf 3mp · בּוּשׁ (H954)Predicate verb (negated — stative condition)→ Yiqtol: stative/imperfective — an ongoing condition of innocenceבּוּשׁ (H954) 'to be ashamed'; Hitpael intensive-reflexive: 'they were not ashamed before one another'; prelapsarian transparency and innocence before God and each other.