Genesis 2 · Verse 20

Genesis 2:20

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.

Genesis 2:20, King James Version

Genesis 2:20 in other translations

BSB	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.
WEB	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.
ASV	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.
YLT	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.
DARBY	And Man gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the heavens, and to every beast of the field; but as for Adam, he found no helpmate, his like.
BBE	And the man gave names to all cattle and to the birds of the air and to every beast of the field; but Adam had no one like himself as a help.
Webster	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.

What does Genesis 2:20 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

20. but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him--The design of this singular scene was to show him that none of the living creatures he saw were on an equal footing with himself, and that while each class came with its mate of the same nature, form, and habits, he alone had no companion. Besides, in giving names to them he was led to exercise his powers of speech and to prepare for social intercourse with his partner, a creature yet to be formed.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 20 And Adam gave names to all cattle - Two things God appears to have had in view by causing man to name all the cattle, etc. 1. To show him with what comprehensive powers of mind his Maker had endued him; and 2. To show him that no creature yet formed could make him a suitable companion. And that this twofold purpose was answered we shall shortly see; for, 1. Adam gave names; but how? From an intimate knowledge of the nature and properties of each creature. Here we see the perfection of his knowledge; for it is well known that the names affixed to the different animals in Scripture always express some prominent feature and essential characteristic of the creatures to which they are applied. Had he not possessed an intuitive knowledge of the grand and distinguishing properties of those animals, he never could have given them such names. This one circumstance is a strong proof of the original perfection and excellence of man, while in a state of innocence; nor need we wonder at the account. Adam was the work of an infinitely wise and perfect Being, and the effect must resemble the cause that produced it. 2. Adam was convinced that none of these creatures could be a suitable companion for him, and that therefore he must continue in the state that was not good, or be a farther debtor to the bounty of his Maker; for among all the animals which he had named there was not found a help meet for him. Hence we read,

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Genesis 2:18-25

Power over the creatures was given to man, and as a proof of this he named them all. It also shows his insight into the works of God. But though he was lord of the creatures, yet nothing in this world was a help meet for man. From God are all our helpers. If we rest in God, he will work all for good. God caused deep sleep to fall on Adam; while he knows no sin, God will take care that he shall feel no pain. God, as…

Read the full comment on Genesis 2:18-25 →

Genesis 2:20 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וַיִּקְרָ֨אvai.yik.Ra'and he calledH7121

הָֽאָדָ֜םha.'a.Damthe manH120

שֵׁמ֗וֹתshe.MotnamesH8034

לְכָל\־le.kholto allH3605

הַבְּהֵמָה֙ha.be.he.Mahthe livestockH929

וּלְע֣וֹףu.le.'ofand to [the] bird[s] ofH5775

הַשָּׁמַ֔יִםha.sha.Ma.yimthe heavensH8064

וּלְכֹ֖לu.le.Kholand to everyH3605

חַיַּ֣תchai.Yat<the> animal ofH2416

הַשָּׂדֶ֑הha.sa.Dehthe fieldH7704

וּלְאָדָ֕םu.le.'a.Damand for AdamH121

לֹֽא\־lo'-notH3808

מָצָ֥אma.Tza'he foundH4672

עֵ֖זֶר'E.zera helperH5828

כְּנֶגְדּֽוֹ\׃ke.neg.Dolike before himH5048

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Genesis 2:20

Genesis 2:18
And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

gave names to. Heb. called. but.
18

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Genesis 2:19
And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
Genesis 2:20
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.
Genesis 2:21
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;

Read all of Genesis 2

Genesis 2:20 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Y puso Adam nombres á toda bestia y ave de los cielos y á todo animal del campo: mas para Adam no halló ayuda que estuviese idónea para él.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Et l’homme donna des noms à tout le bétail, et aux oiseaux des cieux, et à toutes les bêtes des champs. Mais pour Adam, il ne trouva pas d’aide qui lui corresponde.
German Elberfelder 1871	Und der Mensch gab Namen allem Vieh und dem Gevögel des Himmels und allem Getier des Feldes. Aber für Adam fand er keine Hülfe seines Gleichen.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Appellavitque Adam nominibus suis cuncta animantia, et universa volatilia cæli, et omnes bestias terræ: Adæ vero non inveniebatur adjutor similis ejus.