Adam Was Formed First, Then Eve: The Implications of Order (Gen 2:18-25) -- By: Mark McGinniss

Journal: Journal of Ministry and Theology
Volume: JMAT 12:1 (Spring 2008)
Article: Adam Was Formed First, Then Eve: The Implications of Order (Gen 2:18-25)
Author: Mark McGinniss


Adam Was Formed First, Then Eve:
The Implications of Order
(Gen 2:18-25)

Rev. Mark McGinniss

Assistant Professor of Old Testament Literature,

Language, and Exegesis

Baptist Bible Seminary, Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania

Are you firstborn? Are you the youngest? Are you the dreaded middle child? Are you the only child? Are you either the second, third, or fourth-born, those who get lost in the family birth order?

Whether you realize it or not, there are a number of implications concerning your birth order. Some are even backed by science. For instance, CNN reports (12 October 2007), “Norwegian scientists analyzed test results and birth data from more than 241,000 military conscripts and found that oldest children had an average IQ of 103, second children came in at 101, and third-borns were at 100.”1

While these findings will certainly cause debate, the implication should not be missed: first-born are the brightest! The youngest while not ignorant, simply does not measure up to his or her oldest brother. If your older brother is the type who reads CNN (and wants to remind you of your spot in the family pecking order), he may have already passed on this bit of birth order trivia to you. It is not only statistics that demonstrate that birth order has certain implications. I am a NY Giant’s football fan. Each Sunday I grow wearier of the announcers’ numerous comparisons between Eli Manning and his older brother. If I as a fan am fatigued by the weekly sibling comparison, can you imagine that Eli is?2 The

Mannings are an example of the implication of birth order in sports: the younger brother is always playing in the Super Bowl shadow of his accomplished elder brother. Maybe Eli has an excuse: oldest siblings tend to be taller: Peyton’s 6’5” and Eli is a measly 6’4”.

There are also behavioral implications. Firstborn are anecdotally known as “natural leaders and problem solvers, with strong organizational and reasoning skills.”3 Twenty-one of the first twenty-three astronauts were first born.4

Middle children are likely to “be great negotiators and peacemakers, with laid-back attitudes and a love of socializing. As such, they're thought to be natural schmoozers and consensus builders when they grow up. … [They] are prone to rebelliousness and competitiveness.”You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
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