Genesis 2:8-18

8 Yahweh God planted a garden eastward, in Eden, and there he put the man whom he had formed.
9 Out of the ground Yahweh God made every tree to grow 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.
10 A river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it was parted, and became four heads.
11 The name of the first is Pishon: this is the one which flows through the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;
12 and the gold of that land is good. There is aromatic resin and the onyx stone.
13 The name of the second river is Gihon: the same river that flows through the whole land of Cush.
14 The name of the third river is Hiddekel: this is the one which flows in front of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates.
15 Yahweh God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
16 Yahweh God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat:
17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it: for in the day that you eat of it you will surely die."
18 Yahweh God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."

Genesis 2:8-18 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.

The World English Bible is in the public domain.