Verses 9-14 describe the Garden of Eden, with its lush vegetation and the rivers that flowed out of Eden to water the garden, setting a scene of paradisiacal abundance and divine providence.
Verses 15-18 transition to God’s placing Adam in the garden, not only to enjoy its bounty but to “till it and keep it,” indicating humanity’s stewardship over creation. The commandment regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil establishes the moral framework within which human freedom is to be exercised.
Verses 19-20, specifically, depict God bringing the animals to Adam to see what he would name them. This act is significant for several reasons:
- Exercise of Reason and Authority: The Church Fathers, such as St. Augustine, saw Adam’s ability to name the animals as indicative of his rational soul, which set him apart from the rest of creation. Adam’s naming of the animals was an exercise of the authority given to him by God, reflecting humanity’s unique position in creation as made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27).
- Divine Wisdom and Knowledge: Some Fathers, including St. John Chrysostom, suggested that Adam, in his prelapsarian (before the fall) state, possessed an intimate knowledge of the creatures that was imparted to him by God. This knowledge enabled him to give names that were not arbitrary but reflective of the nature and essence of each creature. This idea points to a harmony between human beings and the natural world, as well as a deep, God-given insight into the nature of things.
- The Significance of the Names: The names Adam gave were not just labels but revealed something of the essence or nature of the animals. This act of naming underscored the relational aspect of existence; by naming the animals, Adam related to them in a way that acknowledged their part in God’s creation. It was an act of recognition and categorization that helped establish the order and hierarchy within creation.
- The Search for a Companion: The passage concludes with the observation that no suitable helper was found for Adam among the animals, setting the stage for the creation of Eve. The Church Fathers, such as St. Thomas Aquinas, commented on this to highlight the unique complementarity and fellowship within the human species, different in kind from the relationship between humans and animals. This points to the inherent social nature of humans and the importance of relationships grounded in mutual help and companionship.
In summary, the Church Fathers viewed Adam’s naming of the animals as a manifestation of his divine-like wisdom and authority, a sign of the special dignity afforded to humanity, and an illustration of the harmonious order of creation as intended by God. The act of naming, therefore, was not trivial but laden with symbolic significance, reflecting the depth of the relationship between God, humanity, and the rest of creation.