Genesis 2:23 is presented as a poem, with the statement "bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh" best understood as a parallelism.
- The man said,
- “This is now bone of my bonesbone of my bones
- and flesh of my flesh;flesh of my flesh;
- she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.”
This statement likely evolved into the idiom "flesh and blood""flesh and blood", signifying the intimacy of their relationship.
- Then Laban said to him, “You are my own flesh and blood.” (Genesis 29:14)
- Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed. (Genests 37:27)
- “Ask all the citizens of Shechem, ‘Which is better for you: to have all seventy of Jerub-Baal’s sons rule over you, or just one man?’ Remember, I am your flesh and blood.” (Judegs 9:2)
- All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. (2 Samuel 5:1)
- You are my relatives, my own flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to bring back the king?’ (2 Samuel 19:12)
- All Israel came together to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. (1 Chronicles 11:1)