King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Adonai, God, took the person and put him in the garden of ‘Eden to cultivate and care for it.
Berean Standard Bible:
Then the LORD God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it.
American Standard Version:
And Jehovah God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And the LORD{H3068} God{H430} took{H3947} the man{H120}, and put him{H3240} into the garden{H1588} of Eden{H5731} to dress{H5647} it and to keep{H8104} it.
Cross-References (KJV):
Psalms 128:2
- For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy [shalt] thou [be], and [it shall be] well with thee.
Genesis 2:8
- ¶ And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
Ephesians 4:28
- Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with [his] hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Genesis 2:2
- And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
Job 31:33
- ¶ If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom:
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 2:15
1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Stewardship:** Genesis 2:15 emphasizes the theme of humanity's role as stewards of the earth. God places Adam in the Garden of Eden with the responsibilities to "dress" (or cultivate) and "keep" (or guard or preserve) it, suggesting a relationship of care and management between humans and the natural world.
- **Work as a Divine Mandate:** The verse introduces the concept of work as a noble and God-given task, predating the Fall. Work is not a consequence of sin but part of the original human vocation.
- **Relationship with God:** The act of God placing Adam in the garden indicates a direct relationship between God and humanity, with God providing purpose and guidance.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Priestly (P) Source:** Genesis 2:15 is often attributed to the Priestly source, one of the four proposed sources of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible), which is characterized by an interest in priestly matters, ritual, and the proper order of creation.
- **Second Creation Account:** This verse is part of the second creation account in Genesis (chapters 2-3), which is more anthropocentric and detailed compared to the first account in Genesis 1. It provides a narrative that focuses on the creation of the first humans and the Garden of Eden.
- **Ancient Near Eastern Context:** The imagery and themes resonate with ancient Near Eastern motifs, such as the garden as a sacred space akin to a temple, where the deity and humans meet. The idea of a garden or paradise was a common motif in ancient Mesopotamian literature, which may have influenced the narrative.
- **Pre-Agricultural Society:** The verse reflects a time when the shift from nomadic hunter-gatherer societies to settled agricultural communities was occurring. The mandate to cultivate the land would have been significant in establishing the value of agriculture in emerging civilizations.
In summary, Genesis 2:15 presents themes of human responsibility for the environment, the sacredness of work, and our relationship with the divine. It reflects a time when the Israelites were consolidating their understanding of God, humanity, and the world, drawing on both their unique experiences and the broader cultural context of the ancient Near East.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H430
There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. - Strong's Number: H3947
There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָקַח
Transliteration: lâqach
Pronunciation: law-kakh'
Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. - Strong's Number: H120
There are 581 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָדָם
Transliteration: ʼâdâm
Pronunciation: aw-dawm'
Description: from אָדַם; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.); [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. - Strong's Number: H3240
There are 73 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָנַח
Transliteration: yânach
Pronunciation: yaw-nakh'
Description: a primitive root; to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay; bestow, cast down, lay (down, up), leave (off), let alone (remain), pacify, place, put, set (down), suffer, withdraw, withhold. (The Hiphil forms with the dagesh are here referred to, in accordance with the older grammarians; but if any distinction of the kind is to be made, these should rather be referred to נוּחַ, and the others here.) - 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. - 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. - Strong's Number: H5647
There are 263 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָבַד
Transliteration: ʻâbad
Pronunciation: aw-bad'
Description: a primitive root; to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.; [idiom] be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, [phrase] husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become) servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper, - Strong's Number: H8104
There are 440 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁמַר
Transliteration: shâmar
Pronunciation: shaw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.; beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).