Devine Scripture

Genesis 2:15

What does Genesis 2:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 2:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 2:15 means

After creating man and placing him in the luxuriant Garden of Eden, God gave him a specific purpose: "to dress it and to keep it." This command signifies that humanity was not created for idleness or mere consumption, but for purposeful work. "To dress it" implies cultivating and tending, while "to keep it" suggests protecting and maintaining the garden in its pristine state. This divinely appointed labor was a privilege, reflecting man's role as God's steward over creation, responsible for its care and flourishing.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to do work in it and take care of it.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jehovah God taketh the man, and causeth him to rest in the garden of Eden, to serve it, and to keep it.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the Lord God took man, and put him into the paradise of pleasure, to dress it, and to keep it.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Jehovah Elohim took Man, and put him into the garden of Eden, to till it and to guard it.

Context

Having established man's creation and the glorious setting of the Garden of Eden in previous verses (7-14), this verse now describes man's initial commission within that perfect environment. It immediately precedes the divine command regarding the trees, demonstrating that man was given responsibilities before encountering the test of obedience. This sets up the context for understanding both his privilege and his future moral choices.

v.14And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth in front of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.

v.15This passage

v.16And Jehovah God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 2:2

    And on the seventh day God finished his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

  • Psalms 128:2

    For thou shalt eat the labor of thy hands: Happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

  • Ephesians 4:28

    Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have whereof to give to him that hath need.

  • Genesis 2:8

    And Jehovah God planted a garden eastward, in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.

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