A Bible scholar has recently created a major stir among religious folks, for his assertion that Eve was not created from Adam’s rib, but from Adam’s penis bone.
If you’re saying: “Wait a minute! Penises don’t have bones!” That’s exactly his point.
Professor Ziony Zevit (who sounds like a long-lost Hogwarts professor) is arguing that this is the reason why humans are one of the only mammal species without a baculum (or penis bone). He argues that the Hebrew word “tsela” doesn’t mean “rib.” According to Zevit, “tsela” means “limbs sticking out sideways from an upright human body.”
The traditional view of the “creation of Eve” story states that Adam was lonely being all by his little ol’ self in the Garden of Eden, so God took one of his ribs and made him a lady friend. Although the question remains: if God made Adam out of nothing, couldn’t he have made Eve out of nothing too? In any case, men don’t have fewer ribs than women. So if Adam lost a rib, that lost rib didn’t embed itself into his DNA to be passed on to Adam’s sons.
Professor Zevit’s theory has been met with massive Christian disdain. The Biblical Archaeological Review, which featured the new theory in a recent issue, has received many angry letters from readers. One reader states:
“That is plainly not a Bible teaching. I do not need and will not read articles that damage my faith or attempts to cause me to doubt what I know is the truth from the Bible.”
Another reader, a Canadian reverend, had this to say:
“How does Ziony Zevit’s article have anything to do with Biblical archaeology? I have never purchased a tabloid magazine in my life – and I have no intention of ever doing so.”
I don’t see how a woman being created out of a man’s penis is more outlandish than a woman being created out of a man’s rib. But clearly these folks do. Which is some pretty bold talk considering they likely believe the universe was created in a week.
Zevit has some obstacles to overcome in order for his theory to be accepted. Although the debate on a “Biblical penis bone” (ha!) is not new, evolutionary biology has some theories as to why humans don’t have a penis bone. Also, the Hebrew word for the bone that God made Eve out of was plural, meaning that Adam likely had more than one to begin with.
Still, people will believe what they will believe. When it comes to faith, logic often doesn’t enter into the discussion.
