I formed a man with Yahweh

Abstract

The title is a literal translation of the words of Eve at the birth of Cain, quaniti 'is 'et-YHWH (Gen 4,1). It has aroused some interest because it mentions the activity of the woman together with that of Yahweh at childbirth, although it does not posit a special divine initiative and acknowledges the factual intervention of the husband. Translations differ on the interpretation of the beginning (quaniti and end ('et-YHWlI) of the phrase. The beginning has a uniform textual tradition (no variant readings), and a clear reference to the birth of Cain. The specific role of Eve in childbirth is not immediately clear. It largely depends on the interpretation of the controversial end ('et-YHWlI).