Why Did Adam Name His Wife Eve?

Direct Answer

Yes—Adam named his wife Eve, meaning "the mother of all living," as an act of faith in God's promise that the human race would continue through them.

After the fall and the curse, Adam called the woman Eve. Les Feldick points out that Eve's name means "the mother of all living," and Adam gave it because he believed what God had told him—that they would have children. That was faith; he took God at His Word.

Key Scriptures

Genesis 3:20 — This is the verse where Adam names his wife Eve and states she is the mother of all living.

Genesis 5:2 — Shows that God called their name Adam, supporting the teaching that Eve was part of Adam from creation.

What Does the Bible Say?

The first time the name Eve appears is Genesis 3:20: "And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living." Up to that point, the record shows Adam had called the woman "Woman"—"because she was taken out of Man" (Genesis 2:23). Genesis 5:2 also states: "Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created." So Scripture consistently links Adam's wife to him from the beginning, with the name Eve specifically appearing after the fall.

What Does Les Feldick Teach About Adam Naming Eve?

Les Feldick says that for the opening events in the garden, Eve was inside Adam. After Adam named the animals, God brought Eve out of Adam and presented her to him as "the woman"—not Eve. "She wasn't called Eve, she was called woman, in other words, out of man" [Clip1]. At a later point, after sin and the curse, Adam calls the woman Eve, and Eve by definition means "the mother of all living" [Clip1]. Les then explains why Adam gave her that name. "Evidently God had told Adam that in spite of their awful dilemma, he and his little wife Eve are going to be the propagators of a whole human race." When Adam comes back and calls her the mother of all living, that is faith—"he took God at His Word" [Clip2]. Les connects this to the first command: "Against all the improbable odds, Adam says she's going to be the mother of a human race. And that's all the faith that Adam needed to fulfill this first command" [Clip5].

Was Eve Called Eve Before the Fall?

No. The Genesis account first presents Adam's wife as "the woman." Les Feldick points out that she was called "woman"—out of man—not Eve, and that she wasn't called Eve until after the fall (Clips 1, 6). The Bible records in Genesis 2:23 that Adam called her Woman because she was taken out of Man.

Why Did Adam Name Her Eve After the Curse?

According to Les, after the curse had been explained to Adam, Adam knew the situation was awful, yet he called his wife "the mother of all living." Les supposes God must have told Adam he would have children, because Adam's naming responded to that promise. This was faith—taking God at His Word (Clip2). Les adds that against all improbable odds, Adam said she would be the mother of a human race, and that was all the faith needed to fulfill the first command (Clip5).

How Did Creation, Sin, and Eve's Name Connect?

Les ties Eve's name to the creation order. Since Eve was in Adam and came out of Adam, Adam is the federal head of the race; sin entered through Adam, not Eve, even though she ate first (Clip4). Eve inherited the sin nature through Adam like everyone else (Clip4). The name Eve, "mother of all living," is part of that same human race that continues through Adam's line.

From the Teaching

Understanding the Curse & God’s Promise of a Redeemer

apart. He has set it so that there will be enough to take it to the end of His program. All right, that's all part of the curse. Let's read on. Chapter 3, verse 17. Now unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened, or listened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it, cursed is the ground for thy sake.

"Eve" Means Mother of All Living

Les explains that before the fall Adam's wife was called "woman," and it was only later that Adam called her "Eve," which means "the mother of all living."

Adam Took God at His Word

Les says God evidently told Adam they would be the propagators of the human race; when Adam called her the mother of all living he was expressing faith—he took God at His Word.

Eve Was Inside Adam

Les uses Genesis 5:2 to show Eve was in Adam and part of him from the beginning, necessary for Adam to be federal head.

Sin Entered Through Adam

Les explains Eve came out of Adam, and even though Eve ate first, the whole race came under sin through Adam.

The Faith of Adam

Against all odds, Adam said Eve would be the mother of a human race; Les says that is all the faith Adam needed to fulfill the first command.

Called Eve Only After the Fall

Les repeats that she was not called Eve until after the fall, and that Eve was within Adam and later brought out to make him complete.

The Woman Within Adam

Les reminds us Adam, as first created, contained the woman; at that time she was simply called "the woman."

Bible Verses

Genesis 3:20: And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.

The direct verse where Adam names Eve and explains her name.

Genesis 2:23: And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

Shows the wife was originally called "Woman" before the name Eve was given.

Genesis 5:2: Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.

Used by Les to show Eve was in Adam and part of him from creation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Eve mean?

Les Feldick teaches that "Eve" means "the mother of all living" (Clip1). This name appears in Genesis 3:20 when Adam calls his wife Eve.

Did Adam name Eve before or after the fall?

After the fall. Before the fall she was simply called "the woman." Les says she wasn't called Eve until after the fall (Clips 1, 6).

Was Adam's naming of Eve a demonstration of faith?

Yes, according to Les. Adam had been told of the curse and death, yet he called her the mother of all living. That was faith—he took God at His Word (Clip2).

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Source Video

Watch the Teaching: Understanding the Curse & God’s Promise of a Redeemer