Devine Scripture

Genesis 2:16

What does Genesis 2:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 2:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 2:16 means

God's command to Adam began with abundant permission: he was allowed to "freely eat" from "every tree of the garden." This emphasizes God's immense generosity and provision, ensuring man had complete access to delectable and life-sustaining food. This broad freedom highlights the overflowing goodness of God and establishes a relationship built on trust and provision. It underscores that God desired Adam's flourishing and pleasure, making the subsequent prohibition stand out as a single, clear boundary amidst vast liberty.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the Lord God gave the man orders, saying, You may freely take of the fruit of every tree of the garden:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jehovah God layeth a charge on the man, saying, `Of every tree of the garden eating thou dost eat;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he commanded him, saying: Of every tree of paradise thou shalt eat:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Jehovah Elohim commanded Man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou shalt freely eat;

Context

This verse introduces the beginning of God's direct communication with man, immediately following the commission to tend the garden (verse 15). It presents the extent of God's generous provision before establishing a solitary limitation. This sets the stage for the crucial prohibition that defines the test of man's obedience, making the freedom granted in this verse a necessary contrast to the single restriction in the next.

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

v.16This passage

v.17but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Samuel 15:22

    And Samuel said, Hath Jehovah as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of Jehovah? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

  • Genesis 3:1

    Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which Jehovah God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of any tree of the garden?

  • 1 Timothy 6:17

    Charge them that are rich in this present world, that they be not highminded, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

  • Genesis 2:9

    And 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.

  • 1 Timothy 4:4

    For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving:

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