(The First Man and Federal Head of Mankind)
The name Adam is one of the most central in all of Scripture, representing the first man created by God and the progenitor of the entire human race. His story, detailed in the Book of Genesis, establishes the foundation of the biblical narrative concerning sin, death, and the need for redemption. The Hebrew word ‘ฤdฤm itself is used in the Bible both as a proper name and as a generic term for “man” or “mankind,” signifying his role as the federal head of humanity.
The Creation of the First Man
Adam was uniquely created by the direct hand of God on the sixth day of creation. His origin highlights the special relationship between God and man.
“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Genesis 2:7, KJV)
- God’s Image: Adam was created “in the image of God” (Genesis 1:26-27), possessing moral, spiritual, and intellectual capacities that set him apart from all other creation, granting him dominion over the earth.
- The Garden of Eden: God placed Adam in the Garden of Eden to dress and to keep it, giving him one sole prohibitionโnot to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:15-17).
- Naming and Marriage: Adam was given the task of naming the animals (Genesis 2:19-20). God then took a rib from Adam and created the first woman, Eve, to be his “help meet” (Genesis 2:21-23).
The Fall of Man
Adamโs act of disobedience to Godโs command introduced sin and death into the world, fundamentally changing the condition of all his descendants.
“And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;” (Genesis 3:17, KJV)
- The Transgression: Though Eve was deceived by the serpent, Adam also ate the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:6), leading to their expulsion from the Garden (Genesis 3:23-24).
- The First Gospel: Even in judgment, God provided the first promise of a Saviour (the Prophetic Hotspot of the promise of the seed of the woman): “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:15, KJV).
- The First Death: After bearing sons Cain, Abel, and Seth, Adam lived to the age of 930 years and then died, fulfilling the warning that transgression would bring death (Genesis 5:5).
The Theological Significance: The First Adam and the Last Adam
The New Testament highlights Adamโs enduring role by contrasting him with Jesus Christ, a central theme in the doctrine of The Lord’s Return.
“And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.” (1 Corinthians 15:45, KJV)
- Federal Headship (The Return Question): The Apostle Paul, particularly in Romans 5 and 1 Corinthians 15, uses Adam as the representative head of humanity through whom “all die” (1 Corinthians 15:22). His sin resulted in a universal condemnation.
- Christ as the Last Adam: Jesus Christ is designated the “last Adam” (1 Corinthians 15:45). Just as sin and death flowed from the first Adamโs disobedience, righteousness and eternal life flow from the perfect obedience and sacrifice of the last Adam. The Lord’s return in glory will complete the work of the Last Adam, resurrecting the dead and establishing eternal life for all who are in Him.
Genesis 5:1 KJV
“This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;”