Genesis 2

Genesis 2:1–14

1. Genesis 2:1–2 (KJV) – “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.”

o God’s rest on the seventh day points forward to Christ’s finished work of redemption and the true rest believers enter in Him.

o Cross-references: John 19:30; Hebrews 4:3–10; Matthew 11:28.

2. Genesis 2:3 (KJV) – “And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.”

o (possible) The sanctification of the Sabbath day foreshadows Christ as the fulfillment of the Sabbath, the one in whom true rest is found.

o Cross-references: Colossians 2:16–17; Matthew 12:8.

3. Genesis 2:7 (KJV) – “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.”

o Christ as the last Adam gives the Spirit and eternal life, contrasting with the first Adam who received breath.

o Cross-references: John 20:22; 1 Corinthians 15:45.

4. Genesis 2:8–9 (KJV) – “And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.”

o The tree of life points directly to Christ, who grants eternal life. (possible) The garden itself foreshadows fellowship with Christ in paradise.

o Cross-references: Revelation 2:7; John 6:48–51; Luke 23:43.

5. Genesis 2:10–14 (KJV) – “And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads. The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone. And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia. And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.”

o (possible) The river flowing from Eden to give life to the garden foreshadows the living water Christ provides. The abundance of precious resources hints at the richness of His kingdom.

o Cross-references: John 4:14; John 7:37–39; Revelation 22:1–2.

6. Genesis 2:15 (KJV) – “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.”

o (possible) Adam’s charge to keep the garden anticipates Christ as the faithful caretaker of His people, the true vine-dresser.

o Cross-references: John 15:1; Hebrews 2:8–9.

7. Genesis 2:16–17 (KJV) – “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

o The command highlights obedience and death for disobedience. Christ, the second Adam, obeys perfectly and bears death for us.

o Cross-references: Romans 5:12–19; Philippians 2:8.

8. Genesis 2:18 (KJV) – “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.”

o (possible) Adam’s need for a helper points forward to Christ and His bride, the Church, as His suitable companion.

o Cross-references: Ephesians 5:31–32; Revelation 21:2.

9. Genesis 2:21–22 (KJV) – “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; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.”

o Adam’s side opened to bring forth his bride foreshadows Christ’s side being pierced, from which flowed blood and water, giving life to His bride, the Church.

o Cross-references: John 19:34; Ephesians 5:25–27.

10. Genesis 2:23 (KJV) – “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.”

• Christ is united with His people as one body, bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh.

• Cross-references: Ephesians 5:29–30; Hebrews 2:11.

11. Genesis 2:24 (KJV) – “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”

• Paul directly applies this to Christ and the Church, showing marriage as a type of that greater union.

• Cross-references: Ephesians 5:31–32; Revelation 19:7.

12. Genesis 2:25 (KJV) – “And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.”

• (possible) Their innocence before sin reflects the righteousness and covering provided in Christ, who removes shame.

• Cross-references: Romans 8:1; Revelation 3:18.

• Reference: Genesis 2:2-3 Quote: "And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made." Explanation: Christ's role as the Creator who rests on the seventh day prefigures His work of redemption, providing spiritual rest for believers, as He is the Lord of the Sabbath and the fulfillment of the Sabbath rest in salvation. Cross-references: Hebrews 4:9-10; Matthew 11:28-30; Colossians 2:16-17; Exodus 20:8-11; Mark 2:27-28.
• Reference: Genesis 2:7 Quote: "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." Explanation: God breathing life into man points to Christ as the life-giver, who breathes spiritual life into believers through the Holy Spirit, paralleling His breathing on the disciples after His resurrection. Cross-references: John 20:22; John 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:45; Ezekiel 37:5-6; Job 33:4.
• Reference: Genesis 2:8-9 Quote: "And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil." Explanation: The tree of life in the garden symbolizes Christ as the source of eternal life, who is the true vine and bread of life, and whose cross is likened to a tree providing healing and life. Cross-references: Revelation 2:7; Revelation 22:2; Revelation 22:14; John 6:51; Proverbs 3:18; 1 Peter 2:24; Galatians 3:13.
• Reference: Genesis 2:16-17 Quote: "And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Explanation: (possible) The command regarding the tree of knowledge foreshadows Christ's role in overcoming the curse of death through His obedience, as the second Adam who brings life where the first Adam brought death. Cross-references: Romans 5:12-19; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; 1 Corinthians 15:45; Deuteronomy 30:15-19.
• Reference: Genesis 2:21-23 Quote: "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; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 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." Explanation: The creation of Eve from Adam's side during his deep sleep typifies Christ as the last Adam, from whose wounded side (during the sleep of death on the cross) the Church, His bride, is formed. Cross-references: Ephesians 5:30-32; John 19:34; Romans 5:14; 1 Corinthians 15:45; Genesis 3:15.

• Reference: Genesis 2:24 Quote: "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." Explanation: This marriage union points to the mystical union between Christ and His Church, where they become one, as Christ leaves His Father to cleave to His bride. Cross-references: Ephesians 5:31-32; Matthew 19:5-6; Mark 10:7-8; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 19:7-8.