In looking back to the first marriage, I cannot but think that it was to make its tie more tender that God chose the singular plan he pursued in providing the man with a mate. No other way would have occurred to our fancy of making woman, than that of another clay figure, modeled by God’s hands in the female form, and inspired by His breath with life.
In making her out of Adam, and from the part of his body lying nearest the heart, while he lay in the mysterious sleep from which he awoke to gaze on a beautiful form reposing by his side, God gave a peculiar emphasis and power to the figure, “they twain shall be one flesh,” one in sympathy, in mind, in affections, and in interests; nothing but death afterward to divide them.—GUTHRIE.