Genesis 2:20

the man gave names We have here the exercise of man's powers of discrimination and classification. This is the birth of science. Man's first use of speech is in the naming of animals. The names describe their character or appearance. From the instance given in Genesis 2:23 of a name thus applied, it is clear that primaeval man was supposed to speak in the Hebrew language.

but for man From this clause it appears, as indeed is shewn by Genesis 2:18, that the animals on being formed were brought to the man, in order that, if it were possible, some amongst them might be the help that his nature needed. The passage implies that the nature of the animals had a kinship with that of man; but, while full of sympathy with the animal world, it implies that companionship, in the truest sense, was not to be found by man in creatures destitute of the higher prerogatives of human nature. "An help meet for man" must be on a level with him in feeling, in intellect, and reason.

for man Not, as R.V. marg., for Adam. We should undoubtedly here read "for the man" (lâ"âdâm) in accordance with the general usage in this section. The LXX introduces the proper name at Genesis 2:16, Lat. Vulg. at Genesis 2:19: both ignore the definite article here and in Genesis 2:21.