Caused a deep sleep— Adam having, by the Divine assistance, surveyed the creatures, whom he found corresponding according to their species, and in all respects adapted to each other, became fully sensible that there was none like himself, none that could be a proper mate and companion to him, endued with like reason, and in whom he might delight. He must, therefore, have been desirous of such a companion; and consequently felt an increase of love and thankfulness towards his Divine Benefactor, when he informed him that he would create him such a companion. For that God revealed to Adam the method of Eve's creation, there can be no doubt from Genesis 2:23 and, as I conceive, he revealed this before her creation; however, if others think it most probable to have been done afterwards, they may freely and safely enjoy their opinion.
During the deep sleep or trance, which God caused to fall upon Adam, he took out one his ribs, as we render it, and closed up the flesh again; and from this rib, he formed, or built up, the woman. The substance which he had thus taken, increased under his forming hands, as on another occasion the bread and fishes increased in the hands of the Saviour. The word rendered rib, צלע (tzelang) signifies properly the side, whether of an animal or any other thing; see Job 18:12. 1 Kings 6:15-16. and consequently might as well have been so rendered in this place, and took part of his side. He who had created man out of the dust, could certainly have created woman with as much ease from the same materials: but as the connexion of husband and wife was to be the most intimate and tender, it seems to have been the great Creator's design to have inculcated the lesson of perfect love and union, by the forming of woman out of man's body, and from a part of it so near the heart: as well as to make woman of a more refined and delicate nature, by thus causing the original clay to pass, as it were, twice through his refining hands.