Adam, recognizing in her the desired companion, welcomed her joyfully as his bride and expressed his joy in a poetic exclamation. The words, “this is now,” reflect his pleasant surprise as he saw in the woman the fulfillment of his heart’s desire. His thrice-repeated “this” (as in the Hebrew) vividly points to her upon whom, in joyful astonishment, his eye now rested with the intense thrill of first love. Instinctively, or as the result of divine instruction, he recognized in her part of his own being. He was henceforth to love her as his own body, for in loving her he loves himself. The apostle Paul stresses this truth (Eph. 5:28).
She shall be called Woman.
The name Adam gave his newly created companion reflected the manner of her creation. The Hebrew word ’ishshah, “woman,” is formed of the word ’ish, “man,” with the feminine ending. The English word “woman” (AngloSaxon, wife-man) is similarly related to the word “man.” The same is true in various other languages.