Genesis 2:4-14

4 1This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in 2the day that the LORD God made earth and heaven.
5 3Now no * shrub of the field was yet in the earth, and no * plant of the field had yet sprouted, 4for the LORD God had not sent rain upon the earth, and there was no man to cultivate the ground.
6 But a mist used to rise from the earth and water the whole surface of the ground.
7 Then the LORD God formed man of 5dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and 6man became a living being.
8 The LORD God planted a 7garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed.
9 Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow 8every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; 9the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
10 Now a 10river flowed out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it divided and became four rivers.
11 The name of the first is Pishon; it flows around the whole land of 11Havilah, where * there is gold.
12 The gold of that land is good; the bdellium and the onyx stone are there.
13 The name of the second river is Gihon; it flows around the whole land of Cush.
14 The name of the third river is 12Tigris; it flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the 13Euphrates.

Genesis 2:4-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 2

In this chapter are contained a summary of the works of creation on the six days, and God's resting from his works on the seventh day, and the sanctification of that, Ge 2:1-4 and an account of various things relating to several parts of the creation enlarged on and explained, and of various circumstances omitted in the preceding chapter, which could not so well be taken notice of there; as of a mist arising out of the earth, which watered the herbs and plants before there was any rain to fall upon them, or a man to cultivate them, Ge 2:5,6 and of the matter and manner of man's formation, Ge 2:7 and of the planting of the garden of Eden, and the trees that were in it, and the rivers that watered it, and sprung from it, and the course they steered, the countries they washed, and what those countries abounded with, Ge 2:8-14 of man's being put into it to dress it, and keep it, and of the grant he had to eat of the fruit of any of the trees in it, excepting one, which was forbidden under a penalty of death, Ge 2:15-17 and of all the creatures, beasts and fowls, being brought to him, to give them names, Ge 2:18-20 and of God's providing an help meet for him, and forming Eve out of one of his ribs, and of their marriage together, and the institution of marriage, Ge 2:21-24 and the chapter is concluded with observing the present state and circumstances of our first parents before they fell, Ge 2:25.

Cross References 13

  • 1. Job 38:4-11
  • 2. Genesis 1:3-31
  • 3. Genesis 1:11
  • 4. Psalms 65:9, 10; Jeremiah 10:12, 13
  • 5. Genesis 3:19
  • 6. 1 Corinthians 15:45
  • 7. Genesis 13:10; Isaiah 51:3; Ezekiel 28:13
  • 8. Ezekiel 47:12
  • 9. Genesis 3:22; Revelation 2:7; Revelation 22:2, 14
  • 10. Psalms 46:4
  • 11. Genesis 25:18
  • 12. Daniel 10:4
  • 13. Genesis 15:18

Footnotes 12

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