Play on Words in Genesis 2-3

Some of the play on words in the second creation account in Genesis 2-3:
“And the LORD God formed man (adam; אָדָם) of the dust of the ground (adamah; אֲדָמָה), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Genesis 2:7)

Here humans are referred to as adam because they were taking from adamah (the ground). This play on words highlights that humans are creations made out of the stuff of creation. Unlike God, humans are made of the stuff of the earth … and when we die, we return back to the earth (3:19).

“And Adam said, ‘This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman ('ishshah; אִשָּׁה), because she was taken out of Man ('iysh; אִישׁ).’” (Genesis 2:23)

Humans are collectively understood as being Man (adam) but they are then delineated into two separate forms of Man: male and female (Genesis 1:27; 5:2). In the above verse, the author indicates the special relationship and connection between male and female. The woman is referred to as 'ishshah because she was created from man, 'iysh. Yet, everyone that lives, including males, come from women (3:20). The author indicates that there can be no superiority of source between male and female. Both derive from the other and come together as one (Genesis 2:24).

“And they were both naked (`arowm; עָרוֹם), the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. Now the serpent was more subtle (`aruwm; עָרוּם) than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made.” (Genesis 2:25-3:1)

Oddly enough, the author here makes a connection between the nakedness (“smooth-skinned”; `arowm) of Adam and Eve and the subtleness (“smooth-tongued”; `aruwm) of the serpent’ words. While many scholars have noticed this obvious connection, I’ve yet to read a commentary that offers and explanation.