Genesis 2:5

And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and [there was] not a man to till the ground.

And every plant {H7880} of the field {H7704} before {H2962} it was in the earth {H776}, and every herb {H6212} of the field {H7704} before {H2962} it grew {H6779}: for {H3588} the LORD {H3068} God {H430} had not {H3808} caused it to rain {H4305} upon the earth {H776}, and there was not {H369} a man {H120} to till {H5647} the ground {H127}.

there was as yet no wild bush on the earth, and no wild plant had as yet sprung up; for Adonai, God, had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no one to cultivate the ground.

Now no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth, nor had any plant of the field sprouted; for the LORD God had not yet sent rain upon the earth, and there was no man to cultivate the ground.

And no plant of the field was yet in the earth, and no herb of the field had yet sprung up; for Jehovah God had not caused it to rain upon the earth: and there was not a man to till the ground;

Commentary

Context

Genesis 2:5 serves as a crucial transitional verse, bridging the general seven-day creation account of Genesis 1 with the more detailed narrative of humanity's creation and the Garden of Eden in Genesis 2. It describes the conditions of the earth *before* the specific formation of man and the establishment of the Garden. Specifically, it highlights two key absences: no rain had yet fallen to nourish the ground, and no human was present to cultivate it. This sets the stage for God's subsequent acts of providing both water (implied by the mist/spring in Genesis 2:6) and man, necessary for the flourishing of life and the intricate design of the early earth.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Foresight and Provision: The verse emphasizes God's meticulous planning and deliberate order in creation. He doesn't create haphazardly but prepares the environment, ensuring all necessary conditions are met before bringing forth life in its fullness. This highlights God's providential care for His creation, including the provision of rain (Deuteronomy 11:14).
  • Interdependence of Creation: It shows that plant life, though created, required both divine provision (rain) and human cultivation to truly thrive. This foreshadows the symbiotic relationship God intended between humanity and the natural world, emphasizing that life flourishes under specific, divinely ordained conditions.
  • Man's Purpose as Steward: The statement "not a man to till the ground" immediately introduces humanity's foundational purpose. Man was not merely to exist but to actively participate in maintaining and developing creation, fulfilling the cultural mandate given in Genesis 1:28. This sets the stage for the specific creation of Adam and his role in the Garden of Eden.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "LORD God" (KJV) translates the Hebrew compound name YHWH Elohim. YHWH (often rendered "LORD" in KJV) signifies God's personal, covenantal relationship and His faithfulness, while Elohim (God) denotes His power and majesty as Creator. The combination here emphasizes God's personal involvement in the detailed aspects of creation. The word "till" comes from the Hebrew verb 'abad, which means "to serve" or "to work." This implies that humanity's work in the garden was not a burden but a form of service, intrinsically tied to the ground ('adamah), from which man ('adam) was formed (Genesis 2:7).

Practical Application

Genesis 2:5 reminds us of God's intentional design and His active involvement in sustaining His creation. It encourages us to recognize our own role as stewards of the earth, not simply consumers of its resources. Our work, whether in gardening, science, environmental care, or any other field, can be seen as a continuation of God's original design for humanity to tend and care for creation. It also underscores our dependence on God for all provision, just as the earth depended on His rain before the specific conditions for flourishing were established.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
Comparing the Creation Accounts in Genesis 1 and 2 The Creation Account vs. Modern Science An Introduction to Genesis: The Book of Beginnings The "Beginning and the End": A Study of Genesis and Revelation Eve: The Mother of All Living

Cross-References

  • Genesis 3:23

    Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.

  • Job 5:10

    Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields:

  • Hebrews 6:7

    For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:

  • Genesis 1:11

    And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, [and] the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed [is] in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.

  • Genesis 1:12

    And the earth brought forth grass, [and] herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed [was] in itself, after his kind: and God saw that [it was] good.

  • Job 38:26

    To cause it to rain on the earth, [where] no man [is; on] the wilderness, wherein [there is] no man;

  • Job 38:28

    Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?
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