Genesis 2:19-20

Genesis 2:19-20

[19] And out of the ground  the LORD  God  formed  every beast  of the field,  and every fowl  of the air;  and brought  them unto Adam  to see  what he would call  them: and whatsoever Adam  called  every living  creature,  that  was the name thereof.  [20] And Adam  gave  names  to all cattle,  and to the fowl  of the air,  and to every beast  of the field;  but for Adam  there was not found  an help meet 

What does Genesis 2:19-20 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The text does not mean that Adam named every individual animal. He apparently gave names to the different kinds God brought before him. This exercise demonstrated Adam"s authority over the animals and the dissimilarity between humans and animals. He became aware of his own need for a companion as he named the animals.
"Adam" comes from the Hebrew word for "earth" (adamah). "Adam" means "one that is red," like the earth. [1] Likewise the names of the animals probably expressed the nature of each animal. Names of humans in Old Testament times usually reflected the nature of the persons who bore them. This indicates that Adam must have had great intelligence and wisdom to be able to identify and label the various types of animals according to their natures.
Man is not like the other animals. Adam could find no suitable partner among them. God graciously provided for his need by creating Eve.