One Flesh (Gen 2:24)
I was asked the following question about the relationship between man and woman in the context of Gen 2:24, and the meaning of the words בשר אחד.
Q:Shalom! Have you done a teaching on Bereshith 2:24 explaining exactly what becoming "one flesh" means? If so could you direct me to it and if not would you mind explaining it? I'm not particularly convinced it is only in regard to intercourse yet this is the typical understanding. Thank you.
A:In over all the sexual side is the most appropriate interpretation. This link is done mostly because marriage has an over all way of approving sex between a couple. It also stems from the context of the word "flesh" relating to the reproductive organs. Israel Knhol in his book "Beliefs of Scripture" takes it even further and sites Iben Ezra who claimed "Knowledge" from the tree was of a sexual nature (Knhol I, Magnes press 2007, pp.24-39).
Word Meaning
As a rule, words in BH have several meanings, which is different from how words might work in English. Word definition is given based on context, which means a word can have different meanings depending on the text.
בשר in BH has sveral meanings:
a. Flesh- the material covering the bones
b. The body or person in general
c. All living forms
d. Reproductive organs
The word אחד usually translates as "one". In our case it means "as one" in the sense of unifying to become as if one person. One in Hebrew has multiple meanings and is used as a regular number, noun and adjective creating a very diverse collection of meanings (Waltke&O'Conor, BHS pp.273-275). This diversity has also created many arguments over the use of it in key verses.
Another option
The above by most are flesh as the body to its different parts. However, the term בשר-flesh is not only a reference to the reproductive organs or the body in general. Being one flesh can also be connected to the idea of שאר בשר- blood relative (Leviticus 21:2). In BH and Akkadian She'er/Siru means "flesh" in the sense of a relative. Later on the form was pushed aside, but the for שאר בשר-She'er Basar was created to indicate relative. If this is the case, בשר could mean that they become as blood relatives and must care for one another. This would be protecting one another, financial care, imitational care and funeral arrangements.
