She is extracted, strangely, from Adam – a surprising reversal if viewed biologically – as her name means she is the "mother of all living" (Eve="Ḥawwāh," meaning “giver of life”). Why this might be the case could be inferred from the context: Adam is sleeping. Eve is derived from the unconscious Adam (Genesis 2:21). This is key to understanding part of her role in creation. Adam, as microcosmic image of God, has just been charged to parallel the divine creative ordering by likewise dividing up all the animals into categories of names. This can only be accomplished by a conscious and differentiating mind. Eve was created from the unconscious Adam, and for this reason it has been said that she draws attention to what he has not named – what is not yet known to Adam, what has not yet been brought to consciousness. It begs the question: Why doesn't Adam give this woman a name until after "the Fall"? Maybe she had to remind him.

Eve’s role as “helper,” derives from a word that has been misogynistically misinterpreted for centuries. The Hebrew phrase is ezer kenegdo and throughout the biblical texts it is in fact applied to God, denoting his provision of potent assistance – and not in a subordinate capacity: “Our soul waiteth for the Lord: He is our ezer (“help”) and our shield” (Psalms 33:20). Psalms 115:9–11, 121:1–2, and 124:8 add to this portrayal, depicting God in this ezer role, not only as a source of aid, but of strength. The word ezer connotes active intervention on behalf of someone, especially in military contexts, as often in Psalms and Ezekiel 12:14. It suggests rescue, strength, and strategic advantage. The word kenegdo adds to it the descriptor that together can be rendered "counterbalancing ally" or "one who corresponds in beneficial opposition." It might be most useful to consider Eve something approximating a beneficial check and balance—a partner in play. 

It is to bring about mutual improvement that Eve is created, in a state of fundamental equality and partnership—and in particular, created from Adam’s rib. The original Hebrew text uses the word tzela (עָלֵצ, a term whose primary meaning throughout the Hebrew Bible is not "rib" but "side." The word is used dozens of times to refer to the side of a building, such as the Tabernacle or an altar. In Sumerian – an occasional source of loanwords for the Genesis author – it is a pun that means both "rib" and “life”). Eve is created not from his head (as Athena sprang from Zeus, which might imply a potential superiority) and not from his leg, foot, or other lower bodily part (which would imply subordination or inferiority). Eve corresponds to Adam precisely as the Taoist yin does to yang. As such, part of her role is to bring to her partner’s attention all the concerns that he may have overlooked, involved as he is in the potentially near-sighted business of naming all the animals.