Devine Scripture

Genesis 2:12

What does Genesis 2:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 2:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 2:12 means

This verse specifically praises the quality of the gold from Havilah as "good," reinforcing the idea that God’s original creation was perfect in every detail, including its natural resources. The mention of "bdellium" (a fragrant gum resin) and "onyx stone" (a precious gem) further highlights the richness and beauty of this pristine world. These details reinforce the generosity and artistry of the Creator, who not only provided sustenance but also endowed the earth with materials of beauty and value.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the gold of that land <FI>is<Fi> good, there <FI>is<Fi> the bdolach and the shoham stone;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the gold of that land is very good: there is found bdellium, and the onyx stone.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the gold of that land is good; bdellium and the onyx stone are there.

Context

This verse expands on the description of Havilah, a land connected to the Pishon river mentioned in verse 11. It provides greater detail about the precious resources found there, emphasizing the opulence and high quality of everything in God's original creation. This specific description continues the geographical grounding of Eden, solidifying its reality within the biblical narrative before moving to the next river.

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

v.12This passage

v.13And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Cush.

Cross references

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

  • Job 28:16

    It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, With the precious onyx, or the sapphire.

  • Exodus 28:20

    and the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be inclosed in gold in their settings.

  • Exodus 39:13

    and the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper: they were inclosed in inclosings of gold in their settings.

  • Ezekiel 28:13

    Thou wast in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, the topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was in thee; in the day that thou wast created they were prepared.

  • Numbers 11:7

    And the manna was like coriander seed, and the appearance thereof as the appearance of bdellium.

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