Tsela
In EnglishRib, but not always
Hebrew. Explained in a Kingdom Code essay.
Side by side
- Hebrewtselaצֵלָע
Does not always mean “rib.”
How Kingdom Code explains it
The Hebrew word tsela does not always mean “rib.” No one serious disputes that. But words are not translated from dictionaries. They are translated from context.
From “Was Eve Really Made from Adam's Rib?”, Substack, 30 Jul 2026
In the dictionary
- צֵלָעtselaH6763
side
Full entry
1) side, rib, beam
1a) rib (of man)
1b) rib (of hill, ridge, etc)
1c) side-chambers or cells (of temple structure)
1d) rib, plank, board (of cedar or fir)
1e) leaves (of door)
1f) side (of ark)
Aramaic equivalent: a.la (עֲלַע "rib" H5967)
Verses
21 And God brought a trance upon Adam, and he slept, and he took one of his ribs, and filled up the flesh instead thereof.
22 And God formed the rib which he took from Adam into a woman, and brought her to Adam.
Genesis 2:21–22, Septuagint