Thoughts on Genesis 2:24

In this verse, Adam is basically prophesying. He speaks about a man leaving his father and mother, when as yet, there were no fathers or mothers. The word used for "leave" is very direct and forceful. A man is supposed to leave, depart from, and forsake his parents for the sake of his wife. Does this mean that there are no interactions with the parents after marriage? No, but there is a definite cut in the relationship. The man is no longer under the authority of the parents, for he is now the head of his own home. Those ties which obligated him to his parents’ authority exist no more.

Similarly, the word "cleave" is very forceful. The connotation of the word indicates being stuck to like with glue. It means to cling to, stay or keep close, stick to. Men, adhere yourselves to your wife. Regardless of what happens, stay close to your wife. She needs it and you have been commanded to do it. No matter how she may fail, or how often it may happen, you are to stay with her. One may ask about the "Biblical allowance for divorce." That will be taken up later.

What a precious picture we have here, in Genesis 2:24, of the faithfulness of the Lord Jesus to His bride, the Church. He has promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5). Husbands, as we will see in Ephesians, you are to pattern your role as husband after Christ’s relationship with the Church.

See related verses.