The idea that Adam had two faces—one male and one female—is not found in the plain text of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh). However, it does appear in some Jewish mystical and rabbinic interpretations, particularly in Midrashic and Kabbalistic literature.
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1. The Biblical Text: Genesis
The Tanakh itself (Genesis 1–2) gives two accounts of the creation of humankind:
Genesis 1:27 (JPS Translation):
> “And God created man in His image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
Genesis 2:21–22 (JPS):
> “So the LORD God cast a deep sleep upon the man; and, while he slept, He took one of his sides (צלע, tsela) and closed up the flesh at that spot. And the LORD God fashioned the side that He had taken from the man into a woman...”
Here, Genesis 1 seems to describe both male and female being created simultaneously, while Genesis 2 describes Eve being formed from Adam. This apparent tension led to various interpretations.
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2. Rabbinic Interpretation: Adam as Androgynous or Two-Faced
Some rabbinic texts, including the Midrash and the Talmud, suggest that Adam was created as a single androgynous being—containing both male and female aspects—and was later divided.
Talmud Bavli, Berakhot 61a:
> “Rav said: At first Adam was created with two faces, and then God split him and made two backs.”
This interpretation suggests that Adam had a dual aspect, possibly back-to-back male and female, which God later separated to create Eve. The word "tzela" in Genesis 2:21, traditionally translated as "rib," can also mean "side," which supports this view.
Genesis Rabbah 8:1 (Midrash):
> “Rabbi Jeremiah ben Elazar said: When the Holy One, blessed be He, created Adam, He created him androgynous.”
This interpretation is not meant to be taken literally by all readers, but rather to explore theological and symbolic meanings of human unity, gender, and divine creation.
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3. Kabbalistic and Mystical Views
Later Jewish mysticism (Kabbalah) also builds on this idea, using it to describe the divine balance of masculine and feminine forces. Adam Kadmon (the “primordial man” in Kabbalah) is sometimes seen as a unified spiritual being that reflects both male and female principles.
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4. Christian and Gnostic Parallels
Some early Christian Gnostic texts and thinkers, like those found in the Nag Hammadi library, also teach that the original human being was androgynous or dual-gendered, echoing similar themes from Jewish sources.
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✅ Summary
Claim Is It in the Hebrew Bible? Found in Jewish Tradition? Literal or Symbolic?
Adam had two faces (male & female) ❌ Not in the plain text ✅ Yes, in Midrash & Talmud Mostly symbolic/metaphorical
Adam was androgynous ❌ Not explicit in Tanakh ✅ Yes, in Midrash and Kabbalah Symbolic
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Final Answer:
No, the idea that Adam had two faces—male and female—is not in the literal text of Scripture.
However, it is found in classical Jewish commentary, especially in the Talmud (Berakhot 61a) and Midrash, where it's understood as a symbolic or mystical explanation of the creation story.
