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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} God {H430} formed {H3335} man {H120} of the dust {H6083} of {H4480} the ground {H127}, and breathed {H5301} into his nostrils {H639} the breath {H5397} of life {H2416}; and man {H120} became a living {H2416} soul {H5315}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Adonai, God, formed a person from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, so that he became a living being.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.

American Standard Version

And Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 2:7 provides a profound and intimate account of humanity's unique origin, detailing the Lord God's personal and deliberate act of forming man from the material of the earth and then imbuing him with divine life. This pivotal verse establishes humanity as a composite being, fundamentally connected to both the physical creation and the very breath of the Creator, thereby laying the theological groundwork for understanding human nature, dignity, dependence, and our distinct place within God's created order.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** [Genesis 2:7](/genesis/2-7 "Genesis 2:7 - The Creation of Man") is nestled within the second, more detailed account of creation, which begins in [Genesis 2:4](/genesis/2-4 "Genesis 2:4 - The Generations of the Heavens and the Earth"). While [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Cosmic Creation Account") presents a broad, chronological overview of God's six-day cosmic creation, emphasizing His omnipotent word and the order of creation, [Genesis 2](/genesis/2 "Genesis 2 - The Creation of Man and Eden") zooms in with an anthropocentric focus, particularly on the formation of humanity and the establishment of the Garden of Eden. This verse specifically follows the description of the earth's initial state as uncultivated and without rain ([Genesis 2:5-6](/genesis/2-5-6 "Genesis 2:5-6 - Earth's Initial State")), setting the stage for the creation of man, who is needed to "till the ground." It is the foundational act that precedes the planting of the Garden, the command regarding the tree of knowledge, and the creation of woman, thereby initiating the narrative of human history and relationship with God.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East (ANE), various creation myths existed, often depicting humanity's origin as a byproduct of divine conflict, a means to serve the gods, or formed from the blood of slain deities. In contrast, [Genesis 2:7](/genesis/2-7 "Genesis 2:7 - The Creation of Man") presents a unique and revolutionary perspective. It portrays a singular, sovereign God who is intimately involved in creation, forming humanity not out of necessity or chaos, but through a deliberate, personal act of craftsmanship. The concept of forming man from "dust of the ground" was not entirely alien (some ANE myths also used earth as a component), but the direct "breathing into nostrils" by the supreme Deity, imparting life and establishing a unique relationship, was distinct. This highlights humanity's inherent dignity and purpose as distinct from mere servitude, setting the stage for a covenantal relationship with the Creator.

* **Key Themes:** [Genesis 2:7](/genesis/2-7 "Genesis 2:7 - The Creation of Man") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Intentionality**, demonstrating God's purposeful design in creating humanity. Secondly, it lays the groundwork for **Biblical Anthropology**, defining human nature as a composite being—both material (from dust) and immaterial (from God's breath), capable of physical life and spiritual relationship. This dual nature is crucial for understanding human dignity and frailty, a theme echoed in passages like [Psalm 103:14](/psalms/103-14 "Psalm 103:14 - God Remembers We Are Dust"). Thirdly, it introduces the theme of **Human Dependence on God**, as man's very existence and animating life force originate directly from the Creator. Finally, this verse implicitly sets the stage for the **Imago Dei** (Image of God), even though the term is explicitly used in [Genesis 1:27](/genesis/1-27 "Genesis 1:27 - Humanity Created in God's Image"), by depicting a unique, intimate act of creation that sets humanity apart from all other creatures, equipping them for relationship and stewardship.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Formed (Hebrew, _yâtsar'_ - H3335):** This verb signifies a deliberate, skillful act of shaping or molding, often used to describe a potter working with clay. Unlike the divine command ("Let there be...") that brought forth other aspects of creation in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Cosmic Creation Account"), `yâtsar` emphasizes God's hands-on, personal craftsmanship in creating man. It highlights the intentionality and care with which humanity was brought into being, suggesting a unique design and purpose.
* **Dust (Hebrew, _ʻâphâr'_ - H6083):** This term refers to fine, loose earth or dry soil. Its use here underscores humanity's humble, earthly origin and our intrinsic connection to the material world. It points to our physical fragility, mortality, and dependence on the earth for sustenance, a truth reinforced by the curse in [Genesis 3:19](/genesis/3-19 "Genesis 3:19 - Return to Dust"). This physical composition grounds humanity firmly within the created order.
* **Soul (Hebrew, _nephesh'_ - H5315):** Derived from a root meaning "to breathe," `nephesh` signifies a living, breathing creature, vitality, or the seat of life, appetite, and emotion. In the context of [Genesis 2:7](/genesis/2-7 "Genesis 2:7 - The Creation of Man"), "living soul" (`nephesh chayyah`) describes the complete, integrated human being—not merely a disembodied spirit, but a living person with a body animated by God's breath. While the term is also applied to animals in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Cosmic Creation Account"), its application to man, combined with the unique method of creation, denotes a being capable of rational thought, moral choice, and profound relationship with God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD God formed man":** This opening clause immediately establishes the divine agent, "the LORD God" (Yahweh Elohim), highlighting both His covenantal faithfulness (LORD/Yahweh) and His supreme power as Creator (God/Elohim). The verb "formed" (Hebrew, `yâtsar`) conveys a sense of careful, deliberate craftsmanship, akin to a potter molding clay. This emphasizes God's direct, personal, and intentional involvement in creating humanity, setting man apart from the rest of creation, which was brought forth by divine decree.
* **"[of] the dust of the ground":** This phrase specifies the material from which man was formed. "Dust" (Hebrew, `ʻâphâr`) signifies humanity's humble, earthly origin, connecting us directly to the physical world. The "ground" (Hebrew, `ʼădâmâh`) from which `ʼâdâm` (man) is taken creates a profound linguistic and theological link, underscoring humanity's intrinsic connection to the earth and its mortality. This detail reminds us of our physical limitations and dependence on the Creator for our very existence.
* **"and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life":** This is the unique and transformative act that animates the formed dust. "Breathed" (Hebrew, `nâphach`) denotes a direct, intimate, and life-giving impartation from God. The "breath of life" (Hebrew, `nᵉshâmâh chayyim`) is not merely biological air but a divine animating principle, distinguishing humanity from all other creatures. This act signifies God's personal infusion of vitality and spirit into the physical form, establishing an unparalleled relationship and capacity for fellowship with the Creator.
* **"and man became a living soul":** The culmination of this divine process is that the inert form of dust, once infused with God's breath, became a "living soul" (Hebrew, `nephesh chayyah`). This phrase describes the complete, integrated human being—a unified entity of body and spirit. While animals are also called `nephesh chayyah` in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Cosmic Creation Account"), in the context of man's unique creation, it signifies a being endowed with consciousness, intellect, emotion, will, and the capacity for moral choice and spiritual relationship, thereby setting humanity apart in dignity and purpose.

#### Literary Devices
[Genesis 2:7](/genesis/2-7 "Genesis 2:7 - The Creation of Man") employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound theological truths. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the description of God "forming" man with His hands and "breathing" into his nostrils, attributing human-like actions to the divine to help finite beings grasp an infinite act. This emphasizes God's personal and intimate involvement in creation. **Merism** is subtly present in the combination of "dust of the ground" and "breath of life" to describe the complete human being, signifying that humanity is a composite of both material and immaterial elements. The phrase "living soul" (`nephesh chayyah`) itself functions as a **Synecdoche**, where the part (soul/breath) represents the whole (the living person), highlighting the animating principle that makes the dust-formed body alive. Furthermore, there is powerful **Symbolism**: "dust" symbolizes humanity's mortality, humility, and connection to the earth, while "breath of life" symbolizes divine vitality, the source of all life, and humanity's unique spiritual connection to God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[Genesis 2:7](/genesis/2-7 "Genesis 2:7 - The Creation of Man") is foundational to biblical anthropology, establishing humanity as a unique creation, distinct from all other living things. It reveals that human beings are not merely complex biological organisms, but composite entities, intricately woven from the material world and animated by the very breath of God. This dual nature—earthly yet divinely enlivened—confers immense dignity and inherent value upon every human life, while simultaneously underscoring our absolute dependence on the Creator for our existence and sustenance. It sets the stage for understanding the *Imago Dei*, human responsibility, the fall, and ultimately, the need for redemption.

* [Job 33:4](/job/33-4 "The Spirit of God Has Made Me")
* [Psalm 139:13-14](/psalms/139-13-14 "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made")
* [Ecclesiastes 12:7](/ecclesiastes/12-7 "The Spirit Returns to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound truth of [Genesis 2:7](/genesis/2-7 "Genesis 2:7 - The Creation of Man") invites us to a deeper understanding of our own identity and purpose. Recognizing that we are intricately formed from the earth and miraculously enlivened by God's own breath should cultivate both humility and awe. Humility, in acknowledging our physical frailty and dependence on the Creator for every breath; and awe, in realizing the immense dignity and value God has bestowed upon us by His personal involvement in our creation. This truth calls us to cherish and respect all human life, from conception to natural death, as each person bears the imprint of God's unique craftsmanship. It also compels us to live in conscious dependence on God, seeking to honor Him with our bodies and spirits, which are His, and to live out the purpose for which we were so intimately formed. Our physical and spiritual well-being are intertwined, reflecting the composite nature God designed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding your origin from "dust" and "breath" impact your view of your own body and spirit?**
* **In what ways does this verse challenge or affirm contemporary views on human dignity and the value of life?**
* **How can the truth of God's intimate involvement in creation lead you to live in greater dependence and gratitude towards Him?**

### FAQ
**How does God "forming" man differ from His creation of other creatures?**

Answer: The Hebrew verb `yâtsar` ("formed" - H3335) implies a deliberate, hands-on, and personal act, akin to a potter shaping clay. Unlike other creatures, which were brought forth by divine command (e.g., "Let the earth bring forth..." in [Genesis 1:24](/genesis/1-24 "Genesis 1:24 - Creation of Land Animals")), man is uniquely "formed" and then directly given life by God's breath. This signifies a special intimacy, intentionality, and purpose in humanity's creation, setting mankind apart from the rest of the animal kingdom.

**What is the significance of man being formed "of the dust of the ground"?**

Answer: This detail highlights humanity's humble, earthly origin and intrinsic connection to the physical world. The Hebrew word for "man" (`ʼâdâm` - H120) is directly related to "ground" (`ʼădâmâh` - H127), reinforcing this profound link. It underscores our mortality, physical limitations, and dependence on the earth for sustenance. While our bodies are from the dust and will return to it ([Genesis 3:19](/genesis/3-19 "Genesis 3:19 - Return to Dust")), the subsequent act of God breathing life into this dust elevates humanity beyond mere matter.

**Does "man became a living soul" mean humans are just like animals?**

Answer: While the term `nephesh chayyah` ("living soul" - H5315) is also applied to animals in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Cosmic Creation Account"), its application to man in [Genesis 2:7](/genesis/2-7 "Genesis 2:7 - The Creation of Man") signifies a unique, integrated being. Combined with God's direct and personal breath (`nᵉshâmâh chayyim` - H5397 H2416), it denotes a complete person with intellect, emotion, will, and the capacity for moral choice and profound fellowship with God. This unique method of creation and the resulting capacity for spiritual relationship sets humanity apart in dignity and potential, distinguishing us from animals.

**Does Genesis 2:7 contradict the creation account in Genesis 1?**

Answer: No, [Genesis 2:7](/genesis/2-7 "Genesis 2:7 - The Creation of Man") does not contradict [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Cosmic Creation Account"). Rather, [Genesis 2](/genesis/2 "Genesis 2 - The Creation of Man and Eden") offers a more detailed, anthropocentric (human-focused) account of the sixth day's creation, specifically concerning humanity and the Garden of Eden. [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Cosmic Creation Account") provides the grand, cosmic overview of creation, outlining the sequence of God's creative acts, while [Genesis 2](/genesis/2 "Genesis 2 - The Creation of Man and Eden") zooms in to provide a more intimate and detailed narrative of man's formation and his initial environment, complementing rather than contradicting the first account.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Genesis 2:7](/genesis/2-7 "Genesis 2:7 - The Creation of Man"), which describes the creation of the first man, Adam, from the dust of the ground and the breath of life, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament's portrayal of Jesus as the "last Adam" ([1 Corinthians 15:45](/1_corinthians/15-45 "1 Corinthians 15:45 - The First and Last Adam")). While the first Adam became a "living soul" (`nephesh chayyah`) and, through his disobedience, brought sin and death into the world ([Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Romans 5:12 - Sin Entered Through One Man")), Christ, the "last Adam," is identified as a "life-giving spirit" ([1 Corinthians 15:45](/1_corinthians/15-45 "1 Corinthians 15:45 - The First and Last Adam")). Through His perfect obedience, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection, Jesus offers not merely biological life but spiritual and eternal life to all who believe. The initial divine breath that animated humanity in Eden foreshadows the regenerative work of the Holy Spirit, by which fallen humanity is made alive in Christ ([Ephesians 2:5](/ephesians/2-5 "Ephesians 2:5 - Made Alive with Christ")) and transformed into new creations ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")), ultimately fulfilling God's original purpose for humanity in a redeemed and glorified state through union with the resurrected Lord. He is the true source of life, the one in whom "was life, and that life was the light of all mankind" ([John 1:4](/john/1-4 "John 1:4 - In Him Was Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 15:45

And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] a quickening spirit.

Job 33:4

The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

Ecclesiastes 12:7

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Isaiah 64:8

But now, O LORD, thou [art] our father; we [are] the clay, and thou our potter; and we all [are] the work of thy hand.

Acts 17:25

Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

1 Corinthians 15:47

The first man [is] of the earth, earthy: the second man [is] the Lord from heaven.

Genesis 3:19

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou [art], and unto dust shalt thou return.