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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 2:20 The man gave names to all the livestock, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/2-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/01_Gen_02_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 2:20 - Man and Woman in the Garden" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The man gave names to all the livestock, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. 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But for Adam no suitable helper was found.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. But still there was no helper just right for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The man gave names to all the livestock, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The man gave names to all the livestock, and to the birds of the sky, and to every animal of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And the man gave names to all the cattle and to the birds of the sky and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And the man gave names to all the livestock, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for Adam there was not found a helper [that was] suitable (a companion) for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The man gave names to all the livestock, to the birds of the sky, and to every wild animal; but for the man no helper was found corresponding to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The man gave names to all the livestock, to the birds of the sky, and to every wild animal; but for the man no helper was found as his complement. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the heavens, and to every beast of the field; but for man there was not found a help meet for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the man gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for man there was not found an help meet for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />So the man named all the domestic animals, all the birds, and all the wild animals. But the man found no helper who was right for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So the man named all the birds and all the animals; but not one of them was a suitable companion to help him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The man gave names to all the livestock, to the birds that fly, and to each of earth's animals, but there was not found a strength corresponding to him, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The man gave names to all the livestock, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So the man named all the animals, the birds of the air, and the living creatures of the field, but for Adam no companion who corresponded to him was found.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And the man gave names to all the tame animals, and to all the flying creatures of the sky, and to every wild animal; but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowls of the air, and to every beast of the field: but for Adam there was not found a help meet for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The man gave names to all livestock, and to the birds of the sky, and to every animal of the field; but for man there was not found a helper comparable to him. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the man calls names to all the livestock, and to bird of the heavens, and to every beast of the field; but for man a helper has not been found as his counterpart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the man calleth names to all the cattle, and to fowl of the heavens, and to every beast of the field; and to man hath not been found an helper -- as his counterpart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the man will call the names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the heavens, and to every living thing of the field; but to the man was not found a help as before him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Adam called all the beasts by their names, and all the fowls of the air, and all the cattle of the field: but for Adam there was not found a helper like himself. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And Adam called each of the living things by their names: all the flying creatures of the air, and all the wild beasts of the land. Yet truly, for Adam, there was not found a helper similar to himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The man gave names to all the tame animals, all the birds of the air, and all the wild animals; but none proved to be a helper suited to the man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper as his partner.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to all fowl of the air, and to all wild beasts; but for Adam there was not found a helper who was equal to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Adam called names for all cattle, and all birds of Heaven, and all animals of the Earth, and for Adam there was not found a Helper like him.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the man gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found a help meet for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Adam gave names to all the cattle and to all the birds of the sky, and to all the wild beasts of the field, but for Adam there was not found a help like to himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/2-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=460" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/2.htm">Man and Woman in the Garden</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and He brought them to the man to see what he would name each one. And whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: hā·’ā·ḏām (Art:: N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">The man</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: way·yiq·rā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">gave</a> <a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: šê·mō·wṯ (N-mp) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.">names</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: lə·ḵāl (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">to all</a> <a href="/hebrew/929.htm" title="929: hab·bə·hê·māh (Art:: N-fs) -- A beast, animal, cattle. From an unused root; properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal.">the livestock,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5775.htm" title="5775: ū·lə·‘ō·wp̄ (Conj-w, Prep-l:: N-msc) -- Flying creatures. From uwph; a bird, often collectively.">to the birds</a> <a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: haš·šā·ma·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky.">of the air,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: ū·lə·ḵōl (Conj-w, Prep-l:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">and to every</a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ḥay·yaṯ (N-fsc) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">beast</a> <a href="/hebrew/7704.htm" title="7704: haś·śā·ḏeh (Art:: N-ms) -- Field, land. Or saday; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field.">of the field.</a> <a href="/hebrew/121.htm" title="121: ū·lə·’ā·ḏām (Conj-w, Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- The same as 'adam; Adam the name of the first man, also of a place in Palestine.">But for Adam</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">no</a> <a href="/hebrew/5048.htm" title="5048: kə·neḡ·dōw (Prep-k:: 3ms) -- From nagad; a front, i.e. Part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually over against or before.">suitable</a> <a href="/hebrew/5828.htm" title="5828: ‘ê·zer (N-ms) -- A help, helper. From azar; aid.">helper</a> <a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: mā·ṣā (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To attain to, find. ">was found.</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep, and while he slept, He took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the area with flesh.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/1-26.htm">Genesis 1:26-28</a></span><br />Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.” / So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. / God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/1-20.htm">Genesis 1:20-25</a></span><br />And God said, “Let the waters teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky.” / So God created the great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters teemed according to their kinds, and every winged bird after its kind. And God saw that it was good. / Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters of the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/5-2.htm">Genesis 5:2</a></span><br />Male and female He created them, and He blessed them. And in the day they were created, He called them “man.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/9-2.htm">Genesis 9:2</a></span><br />The fear and dread of you will fall on every living creature on the earth, every bird of the air, every creature that crawls on the ground, and all the fish of the sea. They are delivered into your hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/8-6.htm">Psalm 8:6-8</a></span><br />You made him ruler of the works of Your hands; You have placed everything under his feet: / all sheep and oxen, and even the beasts of the field, / the birds of the air and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/12-7.htm">Job 12:7-10</a></span><br />But ask the animals, and they will instruct you; ask the birds of the air, and they will tell you. / Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; let the fish of the sea inform you. / Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-39.htm">1 Corinthians 15:39</a></span><br />Not all flesh is the same: Men have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another, and fish another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-19.htm">Romans 8:19-22</a></span><br />The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God. / For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope / that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/2-6.htm">Hebrews 2:6-8</a></span><br />But somewhere it is testified in these words: “What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him? / You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor / and placed everything under his feet.” When God subjected all things to him, He left nothing outside of his control. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-7.htm">James 3:7</a></span><br />All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/43-20.htm">Isaiah 43:20</a></span><br />The beasts of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I provide water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/2-18.htm">Hosea 2:18</a></span><br />On that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air and the creatures that crawl on the ground. And I will abolish bow and sword and battle in the land, and will make them lie down in safety.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-26.htm">Acts 17:26</a></span><br />From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-4.htm">Matthew 19:4-6</a></span><br />Jesus answered, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ / and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? / So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/10-6.htm">Mark 10:6-9</a></span><br />However, from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ / ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, / and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.</p><p class="hdg">gave names to.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/2-18.htm">Genesis 2:18</a></b></br> And the LORD God said, <i>It is</i> not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/2-19.htm">Adam</a> <a href="/genesis/2-19.htm">Air</a> <a href="/genesis/2-19.htm">Animal</a> <a href="/genesis/2-19.htm">Beast</a> <a href="/genesis/1-30.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/genesis/1-30.htm">Birds</a> <a href="/genesis/1-26.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/genesis/2-18.htm">Counterpart</a> <a href="/genesis/2-19.htm">Field</a> <a href="/genesis/2-18.htm">Fit</a> <a href="/revelation/21-16.htm">Found</a> <a href="/genesis/2-19.htm">Fowl</a> <a href="/revelation/19-21.htm">Fowls</a> <a href="/genesis/2-18.htm">Help</a> <a href="/genesis/2-18.htm">Helper</a> <a href="/genesis/2-18.htm">Helpmate</a> <a href="/genesis/1-25.htm">Livestock</a> <a href="/genesis/2-18.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/revelation/21-27.htm">Names</a> <a href="/genesis/2-19.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/genesis/2-18.htm">Suitable</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/2-21.htm">Adam</a> <a href="/genesis/6-7.htm">Air</a> <a href="/genesis/3-1.htm">Animal</a> <a href="/genesis/3-1.htm">Beast</a> <a href="/genesis/3-14.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/genesis/6-7.htm">Birds</a> <a href="/genesis/3-14.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/genesis/2-18.htm">Counterpart</a> <a href="/genesis/3-1.htm">Field</a> <a href="/genesis/49-20.htm">Fit</a> <a href="/genesis/4-15.htm">Found</a> <a href="/genesis/6-7.htm">Fowl</a> <a href="/genesis/6-7.htm">Fowls</a> <a href="/genesis/4-1.htm">Help</a> <a href="/exodus/15-2.htm">Helper</a> <a href="/genesis/2-18.htm">Helpmate</a> <a href="/genesis/3-14.htm">Livestock</a> <a href="/genesis/14-17.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/genesis/25-13.htm">Names</a> <a href="/genesis/6-7.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/genesis/49-28.htm">Suitable</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/2-1.htm">The first Sabbath.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/2-4.htm">Further details concerning the manner of creation.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/2-8.htm">The planting of the garden of Eden, and its situation;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/2-15.htm">man is placed in it; and the tree of knowledge forbidden.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/2-18.htm">The animals are named by Adam.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/2-21.htm">The making of woman, and the institution of marriage.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The man gave names to all the livestock, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field.</b><br>This phrase highlights the authority and responsibility given to man over creation. Naming in the ancient Near Eastern context signifies dominion and understanding. By naming the animals, Adam exercises his God-given role as steward of the earth (<a href="/genesis/1-28.htm">Genesis 1:28</a>). This act of naming also reflects the order and structure God intended for creation, as Adam discerns and categorizes the creatures. The mention of "livestock," "birds of the air," and "beasts of the field" encompasses the breadth of animal life, indicating the comprehensive nature of Adam's task. This mirrors the creation account where God categorizes the elements of the world (Genesis 1). The act of naming also foreshadows the importance of names throughout Scripture, where names often reveal character or destiny (e.g., Abram to Abraham in <a href="/genesis/17-5.htm">Genesis 17:5</a>).<p><b>But for Adam no suitable helper was found.</b><br>This phrase introduces the concept of companionship and the need for a partner that corresponds to Adam. The term "suitable helper" (Hebrew: ezer kenegdo) implies a partner who is both complementary and equal, not inferior. This sets the stage for the creation of Eve, highlighting the relational aspect of humanity that reflects the relational nature of the Trinity. The absence of a suitable helper among the animals underscores the uniqueness of human relationships and the special creation of woman. This also prefigures the unity and partnership seen in the marriage relationship, as later described in <a href="/ephesians/5-31.htm">Ephesians 5:31-32</a>, which is a type of the relationship between Christ and the Church. The search for a helper emphasizes the importance of community and relationship, foundational themes throughout the Bible, culminating in the ultimate relationship between God and humanity through Jesus Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/adam.htm">Adam</a></b><br>The first man created by God, tasked with naming the animals and seeking a suitable helper.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/l/livestock,_birds,_beasts_of_the_field.htm">Livestock, Birds, Beasts of the Field</a></b><br>Represents the various forms of life that Adam named, highlighting his role in creation.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_garden_of_eden.htm">The Garden of Eden</a></b><br>The setting where Adam resides and performs his duties, a place of initial harmony and order.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The Creator who observes Adam's need for companionship and prepares to address it.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/n/naming_of_the_animals.htm">Naming of the Animals</a></b><br>An event that signifies Adam's authority and stewardship over creation.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/stewardship_and_responsibility.htm">Stewardship and Responsibility</a></b><br>Adam's task of naming the animals highlights the responsibility humanity has over creation. We are called to care for and manage the earth wisely.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_need_for_companionship.htm">The Need for Companionship</a></b><br>The absence of a suitable helper for Adam underscores the importance of relationships and community. God designed us for fellowship, not isolation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/authority_and_order.htm">Authority and Order</a></b><br>By naming the animals, Adam exercises authority, reflecting the order God established in creation. This teaches us about the importance of structure and leadership in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_provision.htm">God's Provision</a></b><br>Even before Adam realized his need, God was preparing to meet it. This reminds us of God's foresight and provision in our own lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/identity_and_purpose.htm">Identity and Purpose</a></b><br>Adam's role in naming the animals is part of his identity and purpose. We are encouraged to seek and fulfill the roles God has designed for us.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_eve_in_the_bible_and_her_role.htm">Who was Eve in the Bible and her role?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_gender_inequality_in_the_bible.htm">Does the Bible promote gender inequality?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/were_adam_and_eve_first,_or_cavemen.htm">Were Adam and Eve the first humans or cavemen?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/correct_term__wife,_help_meet,_or_mate.htm">What is the correct term: wife, help meet, or help mate?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) <span class= "bld">And Adam gave names.</span>--Throughout this chapter Adam is but once mentioned as a proper name; and the regular phrase in the Hebrew is <span class= "ital">the adam, </span>that is, the man, except in the last clause of this verse. In <a href="/genesis/2-23.htm" title="And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.">Genesis 2:23</a> there is a different word for man, namely, <span class= "ital">ish. </span>We must not confine this giving of names to the domestic animals, nor are we to suppose a long procession of beasts and birds passing before the man, and receiving each its title. Rather, it sets him before us as a keen observer of nature; and as he pursues his occupations in the garden, new animals and birds from time to time come under his notice, and these he studies, and observes their ways and habits, and so at length gives them appellations. Most of these titles would be imitations of their cries, or would be taken from some marked feature in their form or plumage, or mode of locomotion. Adam is thus found possessed of powers of observation and reflection upon the natural objects round him; though we may justly doubt his being capable of the metaphysical discourses put into his mouth by Milton in the <span class= "ital">Paradise Lost.</span><p><span class= "bld">But for Adam.</span>--In this one place there is no article, and our version may be right in regarding it as a proper name. Among the animals Adam found many ready to be his friends and domestic servants; and his habits of observation had probably this practical end, of taming such as might be useful. Hence the omission of all notice of reptiles and fish. But while thus he could tame many, and make them share his dwelling, he found among them no <span class= "ital">counterpart of himself, </span>capable of answering his thoughts and of holding with him rational discourse.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field.</span> The portrait here delineated of the first man is something widely different from that of an infantile savage slowly groping his way towards the possession of articulate speech and intelligible language by imitation of the sounds of animals. Speech and language both spring full-formed, though not completely matured, from the <span class="accented">primus</span> homo of the Bible. As to the names that Adam gave the animals, with Calvin we need not doubt that they were founded on the best of reasons, though what they were it is impossible to discover, as it is not absolutely certain that Adam spoke in Hebrew. <span class="cmt_word">But for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.</span> This was the chief reason for assembling the creatures. It was meant to reveal his loneliness. The longing for a partner was already deeply seated in his nature, and the survey of the animals, coming to him probably in pairs, could not fail to intensify that secret hunger of his soul, and perhaps evoke it into conscious operation. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/2-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The man</span><br /><span class="heb">הָֽאָדָ֜ם</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruddy, a human being</span><br /><br /><span class="word">gave</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקְרָ֨א</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·rā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">names</span><br /><span class="heb">שֵׁמ֗וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(šê·mō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8034.htm">Strong's 8034: </a> </span><span class="str2">A name</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to all</span><br /><span class="heb">לְכָל־</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the livestock,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַבְּהֵמָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(hab·bə·hê·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_929.htm">Strong's 929: </a> </span><span class="str2">A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the birds</span><br /><span class="heb">וּלְע֣וֹף</span> <span class="translit">(ū·lə·‘ō·wp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5775.htm">Strong's 5775: </a> </span><span class="str2">Flying creatures</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the air,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם</span> <span class="translit">(haš·šā·ma·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8064.htm">Strong's 8064: </a> </span><span class="str2">Heaven, sky</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and to every</span><br /><span class="heb">וּלְכֹ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(ū·lə·ḵōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">beast</span><br /><span class="heb">חַיַּ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(ḥay·yaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> </span><span class="str2">Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the field.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(haś·śā·ḏeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7704.htm">Strong's 7704: </a> </span><span class="str2">Field, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">But for Adam</span><br /><span class="heb">וּלְאָדָ֕ם</span> <span class="translit">(ū·lə·’ā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruddy, a human being</span><br /><br /><span class="word">no</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">suitable</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּנֶגְדּֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(kə·neḡ·dōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5048.htm">Strong's 5048: </a> </span><span class="str2">A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before</span><br /><br /><span class="word">helper</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵ֖זֶר</span> <span class="translit">(‘ê·zer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5828.htm">Strong's 5828: </a> </span><span class="str2">A help, helper</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was found.</span><br /><span class="heb">מָצָ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(mā·ṣā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/2-20.htm">Genesis 2:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/2-20.htm">Genesis 2:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/2-20.htm">Genesis 2:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/2-20.htm">Genesis 2:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/2-20.htm">Genesis 2:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/2-20.htm">Genesis 2:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/2-20.htm">Genesis 2:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/2-20.htm">Genesis 2:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/2-20.htm">Genesis 2:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/2-20.htm">Genesis 2:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/2-20.htm">OT Law: Genesis 2:20 The man gave names to all livestock (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/2-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 2:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 2:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/2-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 2:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 2:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>