In fact, not only did the rabbis recognize six genders that were neither male nor female, they had a tradition that the first human being was both. Versions of this midrash are found throughout rabbinic literature, including in the Talmud:
Rabbi Yirmeya ben Elazar also said: Adam was first created with two faces (one male and the other female). As it is stated: “You have formed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me.” (
Psalms 139:5)
Eruvin 19a
Rabbi Yirmeya ben Elazar imagines that the first human was created both male and female — with two faces. Later, this original human being was separated and became two distinct people, Adam and Eve. According to this midrash then, the first human being was, to use contemporary parlance, nonbinary.
Genesis Rabbah 8:1 offers a slightly different version of Rabbi Yirmeya’s teaching:
Rabbi Yirmeya ben Elazar: In the hour when the Holy One created the first human, He created him as an
androgynos (one having both male and female sexual characteristics), as it is said, “male and female He created them.” (
Genesis 1:27)
Said Rabbi Shmuel bar Nachmani: In the hour when the Holy One created the first human, He created for him a double face, and sawed him and made him backs, a back here and a back there, as it is said, “Behind and before, You formed me” (
Psalms 139:5).
Genesis Rabbah 8:1