Question
Why was man created before woman?
Answer
Man was created both male and female; see Gen.1:27 and 5:2. The details given in Gen.2:18-24 explain that the male and female parts, which were originally in one body, were afterwards separated into two bodies, to provide for cooperation and companionship. The word translated "rib" could also mean "side". The Talmud discusses this in Berachos 61a.