Genesis 2:24
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.Genesis 2:24
What does Genesis 2:24 mean?
This verse describes the pattern of marriage established at creation: a man leaves his parents, is united to his wife, and the two become one flesh. It's presented as a foundational description of marriage from the very beginning of the biblical story.
Context
Genesis 2 gives a more detailed account of the creation of humanity than Genesis 1, including the creation of Eve and her union with Adam (Genesis 2:18-25). Verse 24 functions as a narrator's summary statement, describing the pattern of marriage that flows out of that first union.
Key themes
Related Bible verses
Bible study
- What do 'leaving' and 'cleaving' suggest about the priorities marriage creates?
- Why do you think this pattern is established at creation, before sin enters the story in Genesis 3?
- What does 'one flesh' communicate about the nature of the marriage relationship?
Prayer
A short devotional prayer inspired by this verse — not scripture
Lord, You designed marriage from the very beginning. Help those who are married to reflect the unity this verse describes. Amen.
Memorize this verse
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Share this verse
Frequently asked questions
Where does this verse fall in the creation account?
It's part of Genesis 2's detailed account of humanity's creation, following the creation of Eve and her union with Adam (Genesis 2:18-25).
Is this verse quoted elsewhere in the Bible?
Yes — Jesus quotes it directly in Matthew 19:5 when teaching about marriage, and Paul references it in Ephesians 5:31, showing its ongoing significance across Scripture.