from פּוּשׁ; dispersive; Pishon, a river of Eden; Pison.
Transliteration:Pîyshôwn
Pronunciation:pee-shone'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word פִּישׁוֹן (Pîyshôwn), `{{H6376}}`, functions exclusively as a proper noun, specifically the name of a river. Its base definition, "from פּוּשׁ; dispersive," directly links it to the verb פּוּשׁ (pûwsh), `{{H6375}}`, which carries the semantic range of "to spring up," "to spread out," "to be dispersed," or "to be scattered." Thus, the name Pishon inherently suggests a river characterized by its expansive flow or its act of spreading out its waters. While the word itself is a fixed geographical identifier, its etymological root imbues it with a dynamic quality, hinting at the life-giving distribution of its current.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word פִּישׁוֹן (Pîyshôwn) appears only once in the entire Hebrew Bible, in the foundational creation narrative:
* [[Genesis 2:11]]: "The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one which skirts the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold."
In this singular occurrence, Pishon is identified as the first of the four rivers that flowed out of the Garden of Eden, serving to water the entire land before dividing into four heads. The text provides a geographical marker by associating it with the "land of Havilah," a region noted for its gold, bdellium, and onyx stone. This detail underscores the preciousness and abundance of the territory connected to Eden. While the precise modern-day location of the Pishon and the land of Havilah remains a subject of extensive scholarly debate and is ultimately unidentifiable with certainty, its function within the Genesis account is clear: it is a vital artery of life and fertility originating from the divine dwelling place. The mention of this river, along with the Gihon, Tigris (Hiddekel), and Euphrates, paints a picture of Eden as an exceedingly fertile and well-watered paradise, the source from which life and blessing emanated to the nascent world.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word to פִּישׁוֹן (Pîyshôwn) is its verbal root, פּוּשׁ (pûwsh), `{{H6375}}`, meaning "to spread out," "to be dispersed," or "to spring forth." This etymological connection reinforces the imagery of a river that flows expansively and distributes its waters widely.
Other words and concepts directly related to the Pishon within its biblical context include:
* **Other Edenic Rivers:**
* Gihon (`{{H1521}}`): Meaning "gushing forth" or "bursting forth," also originating from Eden ([[Genesis 2:13]]).
* Hiddekel (Tigris) (`{{H2313}}`): A well-known river, mentioned in [[Genesis 2:14]] and later in prophetic texts.
* Perat (Euphrates) (`{{H6578}}`): Another major river, frequently mentioned throughout the Old Testament.
* **"Havilah" (`{{H2341}}`):** The land associated with the Pishon, renowned for its valuable resources (gold, bdellium, onyx), underscoring the richness of the Edenic environment.
* **Concepts of Fertility and Abundance:** The Pishon, as part of the Edenic river system, is intrinsically linked to the biblical themes of divine provision, life-giving water, and the initial state of creation's extraordinary abundance. Rivers were crucial for life in the ancient Near East, and their origin in Eden signifies it as the ultimate source of all good.
### Theological Significance
The Pishon, as one of the four rivers flowing from Eden, carries profound theological significance. It symbolizes:
* **Eden as the Source of Life:** The Pishon, along with its sister rivers, illustrates the Garden of Eden as the primordial fount of all life and blessing for the entire created order. The "dispersive" nature suggested by its name aligns with the theological concept of life-giving waters spreading out from a divine center to sustain the world.
* **Divine Provision and Sustenance:** The presence of these rivers in Eden highlights God's meticulous and abundant provision for His creation. The Garden was not only beautiful but also perfectly sustained by divine design, ensuring fertility, nourishment, and a flourishing environment. This underscores God's role as the benevolent provider.
* **The Ideal State of Creation:** The Pishon contributes to the imagery of Eden as a perfect, unmarred paradise. Its existence points to an original state of harmony, abundance, and intimate fellowship between humanity and God, a theological ideal that humanity lost due to sin.
* **Aspiration for Renewal:** While the precise location of the Pishon remains a mystery, its mention evokes a longing for the restoration of that lost paradise. This longing finds its ultimate fulfillment in the eschatological vision of the New Jerusalem, where a "river of the water of life" flows from the throne of God ([[Revelation 22:1]]), echoing the life-giving flow of Eden.
### Summary
The Hebrew word פִּישׁוֹן (Pîyshôwn), `{{H6376}}`, appearing solely in [[Genesis 2:11]], names one of the four foundational rivers flowing from the Garden of Eden. Its etymological root, פּוּשׁ (pûwsh), `{{H6375}}`, meaning "to spread out" or "to be dispersed," aptly describes a river that distributes life-giving waters. Contextually, the Pishon is associated with the rich land of Havilah, known for its gold, emphasizing the preciousness and abundance of the Edenic region. Theologically, the Pishon serves as a powerful symbol of God's abundant provision and the Garden of Eden's role as the original, perfect source of all life and blessing for the created world. Its singular mention underscores the unique and foundational nature of the Eden narrative, pointing to a lost paradise from which divine sustenance once flowed freely, a theological truth that resonates throughout the biblical narrative of creation, fall, and redemption.
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