Genesis 2:7-17

7 And God formed the man dust of the earth, and breathed upon his face the breath of life, and the man became a living soul.

8 And God planted a garden eastward in Edem, and placed there the man whom he had formed.

9 And God made to spring up also out of the earth every tree beautiful to the eye and good for food, and the tree of life in the midst of the garden, and the tree of learning the knowledge of good and evil.

10 And a river proceeds out of Edem to water the garden, thence it divides itself into four heads.

11 The name of the one, Phisom, this it is which encircles the whole land of Evilat, where there is gold.

12 And the gold of that land is good, there also is carbuncle and emerald.

13 And the name of the second river is Geon, this it is which encircles the whole land of Ethiopia.

14 And the third river is Tigris, this is that which flows forth over against the Assyrians. And the fourth river is Euphrates.

15 And the Lord God took the man whom he had formed, and placed him in the garden of Delight, to cultivate and keep it.

16 And the Lord God gave a charge to Adam, saying, Of every tree which is in the garden thou mayest freely eat,

17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil—of it ye shall not eat, but in whatsoever day ye eat of it, ye shall surely die.

Genesis 2:7-17 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Gr. for sight.
• [b]. Or, that which is to be known. Comp. Rom 1. 19.
• [c]. Or, eat for food.
• [d]. Or, die by death.
• [e]. Gr. family.
• [f]. Gr. the greater shall serve the less. Rom 9. 12.