The Rabbis said it in the name of Rabbi Ḥanina bar Idi, Rabbi Pinḥas, and Rabbi Ḥilkiya: “Very [me’od]” and “man [adam]” are identical; the letters of this word are the same as letters of that one. That is what is written: “God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good” – this refers to man.
Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said: “Behold it was very good” – this is the kingdom of Heaven; “and behold it was very good” – this is the kingdom on earth.20In some editions, due to censorship: The kingdom of the Romans. Is the kingdom on earth, then, “very good”? This is a rhetorical question. Rather, [it is good] because it addresses people’s grievances,21The government does this through the enforcement of law and order. as it is stated: “I made the earth and created man upon it” (Isaiah 45:12).22God placed human rulers on the earth to govern it.