Devine Scripture

Genesis 2:10

What does Genesis 2:10 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 2:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 2:10 means

This verse describes a foundational river originating from Eden, which divided into four distinct streams. This detail not only provides geographical information but also emphasizes the Garden’s remarkable fertility and life-giving properties. The single source river highlights Eden as a central wellspring of life and abundance, from which blessings flowed throughout the surrounding lands. The subsequent mention of four heads suggests a vast and flourishing region watered by these rivers, reinforcing the perfection and generosity of God's created world.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became four heads.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became four heads.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And a river went out of Eden giving water to the garden; and from there it was parted and became four streams.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And a river is going out from Eden to water the garden, and from thence it is parted, and hath become four chief <FI>rivers<Fi> ;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And a river went out of the place of pleasure to water paradise, which from thence is divided into four heads.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And a river went out of Eden, to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became four main streams.

Context

Following the description of the trees in the garden in verse 9, this verse shifts focus to the hydrological system of Eden. It establishes the physical interconnectedness of the garden with the broader world and sets the stage for identifying the specific regions these rivers traverse. This detail grounds the Edenic narrative in a geographically rich description, leading into the naming of the specific rivers and lands.

v.9And out of the ground made Jehovah God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

v.10This passage

v.11The name of the first is Pishon: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Revelation 22:1

    And he showed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb,

  • Psalms 46:4

    There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.

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