On this page you will find Bible Commentaries on Genesis 2: 7.
You can also rate Genesis 2: 7.
Read this Verse in it's Context
Loading ...And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
4 Bible Commentaries on Genesis 2: 7
Thank you for your response.
Commentary by andrew delk
Posted on:
9/9/2007 10:41 am 
My comment is this, “It seem as if the text in Gen. 2:7, God formed what He had made from out of the dust,by breathing the breath of life into it’s nostrils and thus becomming a living being. Or which came first, “the spirit of man or the body? I think what we’re seeing is two being becoming one, but then again, “that the whole matter of the text itself, “isn’t it? Now please correct or enlighten me if I’m wrong. I’m just trying to get some understanding in that which I’ve read.
Commentary by andrew delkPosted on:
9/9/2007 10:40 am
In looking at the Hebrew word used here that is translated “formed,” it is clear that this action is a physical molding of the dust into the shape of a man. The verb is especially used to indicate a potter shaping clay. This is a very different word than what was used in Genesis 1:27 when God created mankind. The word used in this verse clearly means “created”, something out of nothing.
Is this a contradiction? Or are we looking at two separate beings in Genesis 1:27 and 2:7? Or is there some other explanation?
Commentary by DavidPosted on:
7/5/2007 03:22 am
First of all, in my opinion (and I believe the Bible supports this), it is better to ask and seek to truly understand than to stay quiet and remain in confusion or misunderstanding.
In answer to your question, in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin languages, the words for “spirit”, “life”, and “breath” are frequently the same word. In Hebrew, the word used here is “nishmat” and is translates as both “spirit” and “breath”. In Greek, “pneuma” is used to mean both of these. In Latin, “spiritus”. The two are frequently synonymous.
In this verse, to me it seems that God first forms the vessel, then places a spirit in the vessel. Body comes first, then the essence of life. The way I read this, the body that God forms isn’t living until He breathes the breath of life (spirit) into it.
I hope this helps in your journey to understanding.