In the Bible, the term "ribs" is most notably associated with the creation of woman in the Book of Genesis. The Hebrew word often translated as "rib" is "tsela," which can also mean "side" or "part." This term is significant in the context of the creation narrative, where it is used to describe the material God used to create Eve, the first woman.

Creation of Eve:

The account of the creation of Eve is found in Genesis 2:21-22 : "So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep, and while he slept, He took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the area with flesh. And from the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man, He made a woman and brought her to him." This passage highlights the intimate and purposeful act of God in creating woman, emphasizing the unity and equality of man and woman as both are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).

The use of the rib in this narrative has been interpreted to symbolize the closeness and partnership intended between man and woman. The rib, being a part of the side, suggests companionship and equality, as opposed to a part of the head or foot, which might imply superiority or inferiority.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

Throughout Christian history, the creation of Eve from Adam's rib has been seen as a profound theological statement about the nature of marriage and human relationships. In Ephesians 5:28-31 , the Apostle Paul references this Genesis account to illustrate the unity and love that should characterize the marital relationship: "In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. Indeed, no one ever hated his own body, but he nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church. For we are members of His body. 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.'"

The creation of Eve from Adam's rib is often cited in discussions about the complementary roles of men and women, emphasizing mutual respect, love, and partnership. This narrative underscores the belief that men and women are designed to complement and support one another, reflecting the harmonious relationship intended by God.

Other Biblical References:

While the specific mention of "ribs" in the context of Eve's creation is the most prominent, the term appears in other parts of the Bible, often in a more literal sense. For example, in the description of the construction of the tabernacle, the word "tsela" is used to describe the sides of the structure (Exodus 26:20). Additionally, in the vision of the four beasts in Daniel 7:5 , the second beast is described as having "three ribs in its mouth between its teeth," symbolizing conquest and power.

In summary, the biblical use of "ribs" primarily serves as a foundational element in the creation narrative, symbolizing the intimate and equal relationship between man and woman as ordained by God. This concept has been foundational in shaping Christian teachings on marriage and human relationships.5967. ala -- a rib
... 5966, 5967. ala. 5968 . a rib. Transliteration: ala Phonetic Spelling:
(al-ah') Short Definition: ribs. Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding ...
/hebrew/5967.htm - 6k

6763. tsela -- rib, side
... Origin from an unused word Definition rib, side NASB Word Usage boards (3), chambers
(1), hillside* (1), leaves (1), one...another (1), rib (1), ribs (1), side ...
/hebrew/6763.htm - 6k

Miscellaneous.
... The Chimpanzee has thirteen pair of movable thoracic ribs. Man has
two. If man lived up in the bushes, like the Chimpanzee ...
/.../miscellaneous.htm

Unity of Marriage Taught by Its First Institution, and by the ...
... For when He had moulded man, and had foreseen that a peer was necessary for him,
He borrowed from his ribs one, and fashioned for him one woman; [527] whereas ...
/.../tertullian/on exhortation to chastity/chapter v unity of marriage taught.htm

Demonstration v. --Of Wars.
... [782] And the second beast was like a bear, and it raised itself up upon one
side and there were three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration v of wars.htm

Potter -- Memorial Discourse on Phillips Brooks
... theology." Of what he was and spoke, such a criticism is as if one said of the wind,
that divinely appointed symbol of the Holy Ghost, "it has no spine nor ribs ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/potter memorial discourse on.htm

part i.
... orbits, and guides their glorious way, producing "the music of the spheres." Order
stretched the very layers of the everlasting rocks like ribs around the earth ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clark/the faithful steward/part i.htm

The Testament of Naphtali Concerning Natural Goodness.
... the spleen for laughter, the reins for craftiness, the loins for power, the
ribs for containing, the back for strength, and so forth. ...
/.../viii the testament of naphtali concerning.htm

Men and Mannerisms
... Goshen, at the beginning of a speech, would sound his chest and sides with his hands,
and apparently finding that his ribs were in good order, would proceed to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/talks on talking/men and mannerisms.htm

Of the Prohibition of Adultery in the Decalogue.
... Enclosed by such flanks, encircled and supported by such ribs, who shall dislocate
her from the corporate mass of coherencies, from the bond of neighbour crimes ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter v of the prohibition of.htm

That Evening Vergilius Went to Feast with the Young Herodian ...
... among them. There were oysters, mussels, spondyli, fieldfares with asparagus,
roe-ribs, sea-nettles, and purple shellfish. When ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 4 that evening vergilius.htm

Temptations.
... stiff it is. These steel ribs and this whalebone make it more like a piece
of harness than anything else I can think of. When worn ...
/.../byrum/the value of a praying mother/chapter xvii temptations.htm

Ribs (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ribs (6 Occurrences). Genesis 2:21 Yahweh God
caused a deep sleep to fall on the man, and he slept; and ...
/r/ribs.htm - 8k

Rib (5 Occurrences)
... 15. (vt) To furnish with ribs; to form with rising lines and channels; as, to rib
cloth. 16. (vt) To enclose, as with ribs, and protect; to shut in. Int. ...
/r/rib.htm - 11k

Molding (10 Occurrences)
... Exodus 30:4 You shall make two golden rings for it under its molding; on its two
ribs, on its two sides you shall make them; and they shall be for places for ...
/m/molding.htm - 9k

Poles (58 Occurrences)
... Exodus 30:4 You shall make two golden rings for it under its molding; on its two
ribs, on its two sides you shall make them; and they shall be for places for ...
/p/poles.htm - 22k

Below (52 Occurrences)
... Exodus 30:4 You shall make two golden rings for it under its molding; on its two
ribs, on its two sides you shall make them; and they shall be for places for ...
/b/below.htm - 22k

Rings (46 Occurrences)
... Exodus 30:4 You shall make two golden rings for it under its molding; on its two
ribs, on its two sides you shall make them; and they shall be for places for ...
/r/rings.htm - 20k

Buildeth (73 Occurrences)
... of cedar, from the floor of the house unto the walls of the ceiling; he hath overlaid
with wood the inside, and covereth the floor of the house with ribs of fir ...
/b/buildeth.htm - 28k

Sides (170 Occurrences)
... Exodus 30:4 You shall make two golden rings for it under its molding; on its two
ribs, on its two sides you shall make them; and they shall be for places for ...
/s/sides.htm - 38k

Wherewith (182 Occurrences)
... Exodus 30:4 And two golden rings shalt thou make for it under the crown thereof;
upon the two ribs thereof, upon the two sides of it shalt thou make them; and ...
/w/wherewith.htm - 38k

Holders (7 Occurrences)
... Exodus 30:4 You shall make two golden rings for it under its molding; on its two
ribs, on its two sides you shall make them; and they shall be for places for ...
/h/holders.htm - 8k

Why did God use Adam's rib to create Eve? | GotQuestions.org

What are the four beasts in Daniel chapter 7? | GotQuestions.org

What are some biblical examples of dream interpretation? | GotQuestions.org

Ribs: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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