Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 7. God formed man of the dust] In the most distinct manner God shows us that man is a compound being, having a body and soul distinctly, and separately created; the body out of the dust of the earth, the soul immediately breathed from God himself. Does not this strongly mark that the soul and body are not the same thing? The body derives its origin from the earth, or as rp[ aphar implies, the dust; hence because it is earthly it is decomposable and perishable. Of the soul it is said, God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; µyyj tmn nishmath chaiyim, the breath of LIVES, i.e., animal and intellectual. While this breath of God expanded the lungs and set them in play, his inspiration gave both spirit and understanding.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 4-7 - Here is a name given to the Creator, "Jehovah." Where the word "LORD is printed in capital letters in our English Bibles, in the original it is "Jehovah." Jehovah is that name of God, which denotes that he alon has his being of himself, and that he gives being to all creatures an things. Further notice is taken of plants and herbs, because they wer made and appointed to be food for man. The earth did not bring fort its fruits of itself: this was done by Almighty power. Thus grace in the soul grows not of itself in nature's soil, but is the work of God Rain also is the gift of God; it came not till the Lord God caused it Though God works by means, yet when he pleases he can do his own wor without them; and though we must not tempt God in the neglect of means we must trust God, both in the use and in the want of means. Some wa or other, God will water the plants of his own planting. Divine grac comes down like the dew, and waters the church without noise. Man wa made of the small dust, such as is on the surface of the earth. The soul was not made of the earth, as the body: pity then that it shoul cleave to the earth, and mind earthly things. To God we must shortl give an account, how we have employed these souls; and if it be foun that we have lost them, though it were to gain the world, we are undon for ever! Fools despise their own souls, by caring for their bodie before their souls.
Original Hebrew וייצר3335 יהוה3068 אלהים430 את853 האדם120 עפר6083 מן4480 האדמה127 ויפח5301 באפיו639 נשׁמת5397 חיים2416 ויהי1961 האדם120 לנפשׁ5315 חיה׃2416
