Literal and hidden meanings run side-by-side

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The Prophetic Mystery of Adam’s Sleep: Christ and the Limping Side

Genesis 2:21 is more than just the creation of Eve—it is a prophetic riddle unveiling Christ’s redemptive work. Every word carries layered meanings, revealing the mystery of His death, the Bride, and the limping side—a key symbol of submission, suffering, and obedience.

Genesis 2:21 (Standard Translation) "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."

Hidden Prophetic Meaning: “And God caused the man to die, and he died. And He married a certain limping side and delivered mankind.”

1. The Deep Sleep as Death

  • The Hebrew word תרדמה (tardemah) for "deep sleep" often symbolizes death (Job 33:15).
  • The phrase "and he slept" reinforces the imagery, as sleep represents death in both the Old and New Testament (Daniel 12:2, John 11:11–14).
  • Just as Adam was "put to sleep" for his bride to be formed, Christ died to birth His Bride, the Church.

2. The Limping Side and the Seed of the Woman

The phrase "one of his ribs" (צלעותיו – tzelaotav) can also mean "side" or "limping side." This connects to a recurring biblical theme:

  1. The Seed of the Woman’s Bruised Heel (Genesis 3:15)
    • The Seed of the Woman (Christ) is prophesied to have His heel bruised by the serpent.
    • The "limping side" reflects His wound, the suffering necessary to redeem the Bride.
  2. Jacob’s Whithered Thigh (Genesis 32:25–31)
    • Jacob wrestled with God, and his thigh was struck, leaving him limping.
    • This signifies submission to God’s will, as he receives the name Israel—"man joined to God by revelation."
  3. Jesus in Gethsemane: Making His Flesh Limp
    • At Gethsemane, Jesus did not want to die but submitted to the Father’s will (Luke 22:42).
    • This moment mirrors the limp: He weakened His flesh to obey in the Spirit.
    • "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41) describes the struggle—His flesh was "made limp" to fulfill obedience.

The limping side, then, represents Christ’s submission, suffering, and obedience, leading to the formation of the Bride.

3. The Closed Flesh as Redemption

  • The phrase "closed up the flesh" (ויסגר בשר – wayisgor basar) can mean:
    1. Sealing or completing – Christ’s work was finished at the cross (John 19:30).
    2. Delivering mankind – The Hebrew בשר (basar) can mean both "flesh" and "mankind" (Isaiah 40:5).
    3. Bringing forth the Bride – Just as Eve was formed from Adam’s side, the Church was born from Christ’s wounded side (John 19:34).

Conclusion: Christ, the Limping Side, and the Bride

  • Adam’s deep sleep = Christ’s death
  • The limping side = The suffering, bruised heel, and submission to God’s will
  • The closed flesh = Redemption and the formation of the Bride

This hidden prophecy in Genesis 2:21 unveils the profound mystery of Christ’s sacrifice: He made His flesh limp in obedience, was wounded in the side, and through that wound, the Bride was formed. The prophecy of Christ is hidden within the words of the literal.

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