Certainly the “two shall become one” (Gen. 2:24) involves the consummation of the marriage, but it also involves a life-long bond (a covenant in Israelite thinking) in physical, emotional, and spiritual matters. Indeed it is even deeper than this. The mention of the two becoming one flesh may indicate a recognition of kinship on the part of the man and woman. They are to become “like” “brother and sister” both to each other as well as the extended family.