Definition: And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Genesis 2:21. It’s a really important and fascinating verse that speaks about creation and God’s plan. Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: God created Adam as the first human being. As part of that creation, God decided to give Adam a rib – a piece of his own body – to use as a scaffold for something new. He then closed up this rib, creating a “joint” or “bone” in Adam's body. Let’s unpack it further: “And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam…” This part emphasizes that God was actively involved and controlling the event. It wasn't just happening randomly; He made this decision. “…and he slept…” This describes Adam's state at this point – he was resting, in a way. “And he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof…” This is the key part! God took a piece of Adam’s body – specifically his rib – and used it to create something new. He “closed up” the flesh (the tissue of his body) instead of letting it just lie there. What does this mean in terms of our understanding of humanity? We are created with two halves: This verse speaks about the unique nature of human beings – that we have a male and female, and that our bodies are made up of two distinct parts. One part is created, and the other is used to create something new. A symbol of connection: The rib wasn’t just a physical object; it represented the connection between Adam and God. It signified that he was linked to the divine. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a symbolic representation of our relationship with God, and the idea that we are created in pairs – male and female. Resources if you'd like to learn more: Bible Gateway: [https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/Genesis/2:21](https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/Genesis/2:21) - This has a good explanation and context for the verse. Wikipedia - Genesis 2: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genesis_(chapter_2)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genesis_(chapter_2)) Do you want me to go into more detail about any specific part of this verse, or perhaps discuss its significance in a different context (like the story of creation itself)?