Devine Scripture

Genesis 2:14

What does Genesis 2:14 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 2:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 2:14 means

This verse names the third river as Hiddekel, identifying it as the one that flows "in front of Assyria." While commentators often equate the Hiddekel with the Tigris River, this ancient designation roots the geography firmly in the ancient Near East. The fourth river is explicitly named as the Euphrates, a well-known river in Mesopotamia. The clear identification of two historical rivers, along with the other descriptions, firmly places the Garden of Eden within a real, historical geographical framework, emphasizing the literal truthfulness of the account.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth in front of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth in front of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the name of the third river is Tigris, which goes to the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the name of the third river <FI>is<Fi> Hiddekel, it <FI>is<Fi> that which is going east of Asshur; and the fourth river is Phrat.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the name of the third river is Tigris: the same passeth along by the Assyrians. And the fourth river is Euphrates.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which flows forward toward Asshur. And the fourth river, that is Euphrates.

Context

This verse concludes the identification of the four branching rivers from Eden, naming the Hiddekel (Tigris) and the Euphrates. It follows the description of the Gihon and Cush in verse 13, completing the geographical overview begun in verse 10. The naming of two historically identifiable rivers provides a strong anchor for the location of Eden, setting a realistic stage for the narrative of man’s life within the garden.

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

v.14This passage

v.15And Jehovah God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 9:14

    one saying to the sixth angel that had the trumpet, Loose the four angels that are bound at the great river Euphrates.

  • Genesis 25:18

    And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur that is before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: he abode over against all his brethren.

  • Deuteronomy 11:24

    Every place whereon the sole of your foot shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness, and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the hinder sea shall be your border.

  • Genesis 10:22

    The sons of Shem: Elam, and Asshur, and Arpachshad, and Lud, and Aram.

  • Genesis 15:18

    In that day Jehovah made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

  • Deuteronomy 1:7

    turn you, and take your journey, and go to the hill-country of the Amorites, and unto all the places nigh thereunto, in the Arabah, in the hill-country, and in the lowland, and in the South, and by the sea-shore, the land of the Canaanites, and Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates.

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