The Literal Meaning of Genesis
BOOK NINE 73
But God did not give these visions to men through His own substance by which He is what He is, but through creatures which He made subject to Himself; and through resemblances of corporeal forms and voices He manifested and spoke what He desired. This is absolutely certain to those who faithfully believe or clearly understand that the Trinity is immutable and eternal—though unmoved through time and space, yet moving creatures through time and space. Therefore, our task now is not to seek how God spoke the words He uttered, but rather to understand what He said. Indeed, Eternal Truth Itself, through which all things have been created, assures us that it was necessary that there should be made for man a helper like himself; and in that Eternal Truth he understands this who is able to discover in It why a creature has been made.
CHAPTER 3
The woman as a helper. God's plan for procreation.
5. If one should ask why it was necessary that a helper be made for man, the answer that seems most probable is that it was for the procreation of children, just as the earth is a helper for the seed in the production of a plant from the union of the two. This purpose was declared in the original creation of the world: Male and female He made them. And God blessed them and said, "Increase and multiply and fill the earth and subdue 1t.'!3 This reason for creation and union of male and female, as well as this blessing, was not abrogated after the sin and punishment of man. It is by virtue of this blessing that the earth is now filled with human beings who subdue it.
6. Although it was after the expulsion of the man and woman from Paradise that they came together in sexual intercourse and begot children, according to Scripture, nevertheless I do not see what could have prohibited them from honorable nuptial union and the bed undefiled'4 even in Paradise.'° God could have granted them this if they had lived in a faithful and just manner in obedient and holy service to Him, so that without the tumultu-