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translated as ‘formed,’ 30 in the sense of procreating or begetting. 31 In light of the argument
linking ‫ו‬ ָֽ‫ו‬
‫ת‬ ‫י‬ ‫י־‬ in the sense of creation exclusively with God, the sense of getting or begetting
would seem to be the best interpretation of the word in this context. 32 Cassuto argues in using
‫ו‬ ָֽ‫ו‬
‫ת‬ ‫י‬ ‫י־‬ “the first woman, in her joy at giving birth to her first son, boasts of her generative power,
which approximates in her estimation to the Divine creative power.” 33 In this sense, it could be
argued that this phrase is Eve’s exclamation of joy at the gift of procreation and motherhood.
The appearance of the word ‫וא‬ ‫׃‬ ִ֖ ‫י‬ within this phrase presents a particular challenge with
regard to its translation and interpretation. The word ‫וא‬ ‫׃‬ ִ֖ ‫י‬ generally denotes an adult male and
never refers to a newborn child. 34 It, therefore, seems out of place in relation to the birth of a
child. 35 Gen 4:23 does provide some context for understanding how to interpret ‫וא‬ ‫׃‬,
‫י‬ as that verse
uses ‫וא‬ ‫׃‬ ִ֖ ‫י‬ and ‫תהו‬ ‫ו‬ ‫הי‬ (yeled ‘boy’ or ‘young man’) to refer to the same person. 36 In line with his
argument that Eve’s use of ‫ו‬ ָֽ‫ו‬
‫ת‬ ‫י‬ ‫י־‬ links her procreation with God’s creation, Cassuto contends that
in this context, the use of the word ‫וא‬ ‫׃‬ ִ֖ ‫י‬ represents a further affirmation of that link – God created
the first man, and through procreation Eve formed in her womb the second man. 37
The phrase ֶ‫ת‬ ‫ֶי‬
‫וה‬ ָֽ ‫׃ה‬ adds yet another difficulty in the interpretation of this short phrase. As
Scarlata observes, “If ַ‫׃‬ is taken as a predicative accusative, the sentence could be translated, ‘I
have acquired/created a man, who is YHWH,’ which could signify that Eve believed she had
given birth to the promised seed of Gen 3:15.” 38 This would seem to be an extraordinary claim
for Eve to make. In light of this, it would seem more reasonable to translate ֶ‫ת‬ ‫ֶי‬
‫וה‬ ָֽ ‫׃ה‬ as ‘with the
30
Psalm 139:13 ‘For you formed my inward parts’ (RSV);
C. John Collins, Genesis 1-4, Kindle edition, Kindle location 2199.
32
Ibid, Kindle location 2205-2206; cf. K. A. Mathews, Genesis 1-11, Kindle edition, 265; Umberto
Cassuto, A Commentary on the Book of Genesis, Kindle edition, 193.
33
Umberto Cassuto, A Commentary on the Book of Genesis, Kindle edition, 195.
34
Nahum M. Sarna, Genesis, The JPS Torah Commentary, Verbum edition, 32.
35
C. John Collins, Genesis 1-4, Kindle edition, Kindle location 2206.
36
Ibid, 2208.
37
Umberto Cassuto, A Commentary on the Book of Genesis, Kindle edition, 195.
38
M. W. Scarlata, Outside of Eden: Cain in the Ancient Versions of Genesis 4:1-16, 29.
31