When reading Scripture, we’re all guilty of superimposing our own ideas, insecurities, and biases into the text. This is called “eisegesis” in convoluted seminary talk.

For example, in the Genesis account, most people assume the first human created was a male. However, the Scripture isn’t so crystal clear on this point. Let’s take a good look at the text.

“And God created man in His image, in the image of God He created him; male [zakhar] and female [nekeivah] He created them.”-Genesis 1:27

The first human being could have been androgynous (both male and female).

Here are some quotes from the ancient rabbis supporting the validity of this idea:

“At the time that the Holy One, Blessed Be He created Man, He created him as an Androgynos.”-Rabbi Samuel b. Nahman

“At the time that [Adam] was created, he was made with two faces, and [God] sliced him and gave him two backs, a female one and a male one.”-Resh Lakish

The authoritative commentator Rashi also says that it was not just a “rib” that was taken from Adam to form a woman, but rather that the original man was split into two sides.

Another interesting point is that if Genesis 1 records the creation of males and females, how is it that Adam in Genesis 2, which immediately follows, has no partner?

CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT

Jesus replied, “Haven’t you read that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female?” -Matthew 19:4

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