Genesis 2:4-14

4 This is the account of heaven and earth when they were created, at the time when the LORD God made earth and heaven.
5 Wild bushes and plants were not on the earth yet because the LORD God hadn't sent rain on the earth. Also, there was no one to farm the land.
6 Instead, underground water would come up from the earth and water the entire surface of the ground.
7 Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the earth and blew the breath of life into his nostrils. The man became a living being.
8 The LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east. That's where he put the man whom he had formed.
9 The LORD God made all the trees grow out of the ground. These trees were nice to look at, and their fruit was good to eat. The tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil grew in the middle of the garden.
10 A river flowed from Eden to water the garden. Outside the garden it divided into four rivers.
11 The name of the first river is Pishon. This is the one that winds throughout Havilah, where there is gold.
12 (The gold of that land is pure. Bdellium and onyx are also [found] there.)
13 The name of the second river is Gihon. This is the one that winds throughout Sudan.
14 The name of the third river is Tigris. This is the one that flows east of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates.

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.

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