Genesis 2:10

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.

Complete Jewish Bible:

A river went out of ‘Eden to water the garden, and from there it divided into four streams.

Berean Standard Bible:

Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it branched into four headwaters:

American Standard Version:

And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became four heads.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And a river^{H5104} went out^{H3318} of Eden^{H5731} to water^{H8248} the garden^{H1588}; and from thence it was parted^{H6504}, and became into four^{H702} heads^{H7218}.

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Commentary for Genesis 2:10

Genesis 2:10 is part of the second creation account in the Book of Genesis, which provides additional details to the creation story found in Genesis 1. This verse specifically describes the geographical features of the Garden of Eden, highlighting the presence of a life-giving river that flows from Eden and divides into four branches or "heads."

Themes:
1. **Divine Provision**: The river symbolizes God's provision for the Garden and His creation, ensuring that the Garden is adequately watered and able to sustain life.
2. **Order and Structure**: The division of the river into four heads reflects a theme of order and structure in creation, suggesting a well-organized world made by a purposeful Creator.
3. **Fertility and Abundance**: The imagery of a river flowing through a garden evokes a sense of fertility and abundance, emphasizing the idyllic nature of Eden.
4. **Eschatological Implications**: Later in the Bible, in Revelation 22, there is a reference to a river flowing from the throne of God, suggesting that this motif of a life-giving river has eschatological significance, pointing towards a restored paradise.

Historical Context:
The Book of Genesis, traditionally attributed to Moses, was likely written down during or after the Israelite exodus from Egypt (c. 15th - 13th century BCE). It draws on much older oral traditions that may reach back to the early 2nd millennium BCE. The mention of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in subsequent verses (Genesis 2:14) connects the narrative to the well-known rivers of Mesopotamia, an area often associated with the cradle of civilization and the likely geographical inspiration for the location of Eden.

The verse reflects ancient Near Eastern cosmology, where rivers were essential for life and agriculture, and the concept of a paradisiacal garden with a central, life-giving water source would have resonated with the cultures of the time. The description of Eden and its river would have served to convey theological truths within a familiar cosmological framework to the ancient audience.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H5104
   There are 109 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָהָר
   Transliteration: nâhâr
   Pronunciation: naw-hawr'
   Description: from נָהַר; a stream (including the sea; expectation the Nile, Euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity; flood, river.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3318
   There are 992 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָצָא
   Transliteration: yâtsâʼ
   Pronunciation: yaw-tsaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.; [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5731
   There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֵדֶן
   Transliteration: ʻÊden
   Pronunciation: ay'-den
   Description: the same as עֵדֶן (masculine); Eden, the region of Adam's home; Eden.
   
4. Strong's Number: H8248
   There are 72 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁקָה
   Transliteration: shâqâh
   Pronunciation: shaw-kaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to quaff, i.e. (causatively) to irrigate or furnish apotion to; cause to (give, give to, let, make to) drink, drown, moisten, water. See שָׁכַר, שָׁתָה.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1588
   There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גַּן
   Transliteration: gan
   Pronunciation: gan
   Description: from גָּנַן; a garden (as fenced); garden.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6504
   There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּרַד
   Transliteration: pârad
   Pronunciation: paw-rad'
   Description: a primitive root; to break through, i.e. spread or separate (oneself); disperse, divide, be out of joint, part, scatter (abroad), separate (self), sever self, stretch, sunder.
   
7. Strong's Number: H702
   There are 383 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַרְבַּע
   Transliteration: ʼarbaʻ
   Pronunciation: ar-bah'
   Description: masculine אַרְבָּעָה; from רָבַע; four; four.
   
8. Strong's Number: H7218
   There are 548 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רֹאשׁ
   Transliteration: rôʼsh
   Pronunciation: roshe
   Description: from an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.); band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top.