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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the LORD God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and tend it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Yahweh God took the man and set him in the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So the LORD God took the man [He had made] and settled him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The LORD God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work it and watch over it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The LORD God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work it and watch over it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jehovah God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The LORD God put the man in the Garden of Eden to take care of it and to look after it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to farm the land and to take care of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then the LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and guard it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The LORD God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden in order to have him work it and guard it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the LORD God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The LORD God took the man and placed him in the orchard in Eden to care for it and to maintain it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and take care of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden, to dress it, and to keep it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Yahweh God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And YHWH God takes the man, and causes him to rest in the Garden of Eden, to serve it and to keep it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Jehovah God taketh the man, and causeth him to rest in the garden of Eden, to serve it, and to keep it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Jehovah God will take the man and will set him down in the garden of Eden to work it and to keep it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the Lord God took man, and put him into the paradise for pleasure, to dress it, and keep it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Thus, the Lord God brought the man, and put him into the Paradise of enjoyment, so that it would be attended and preserved by him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The LORD God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the LORD God took the man, and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and to keep it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And LORD JEHOVAH God took Adam and he left him in the Paradise of Eden to cultivate it and to keep it.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the Lord God took the man whom he had formed, and placed him in the garden of Delight, to cultivate and keep it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/2-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=416" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/2.htm">Man and Woman in the Garden</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">14</span>The name of the third river is Hiddekel; it runs along the east side of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates. <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">Then the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">God</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: way·yiq·qaḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">took</a> <a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: hā·’ā·ḏām (Art:: N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">the man</a> <a href="/hebrew/5117.htm" title="5117: way·yan·ni·ḥê·hū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3ms) -- To rest, i.e. settle down">and placed him</a> <a href="/hebrew/1588.htm" title="1588: ḇə·ḡan- (Prep-b:: N-csc) -- An enclosure, garden. From ganan; a garden.">in the Garden</a> <a href="/hebrew/5731.htm" title="5731: ‘ê·ḏen (N-proper-fs) -- The garden home of Adam and Eve. The same as eden; Eden, the region of Adam's home.">of Eden</a> <a href="/hebrew/5647.htm" title="5647: lə·‘ā·ḇə·ḏāh (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf:: 3fs) -- To work, serve. A primitive root; to work; by implication, to serve, till, enslave, etc.">to cultivate</a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: ū·lə·šā·mə·rāh (Conj-w, Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf:: 3fs) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">and keep it.</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>And the LORD God commanded him, “You may eat freely from every tree of the garden,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/1-28.htm">Genesis 1:28</a></span><br />God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/3-23.htm">Genesis 3:23</a></span><br />Therefore the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/18-7.htm">Numbers 18:7</a></span><br />But only you and your sons shall attend to your priesthood for everything concerning the altar and what is inside the veil, and you are to perform that service. I am giving you the work of the priesthood as a gift, but any outsider who comes near the sanctuary must be put to death.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/5-33.htm">Deuteronomy 5:33</a></span><br />You must walk in all the ways that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/11-13.htm">Deuteronomy 11:13-15</a></span><br />So if you carefully obey the commandments I am giving you today, to love the LORD your God and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, / then I will provide rain for your land in season, the autumn and spring rains, that you may gather your grain, new wine, and oil. / And I will provide grass in the fields for your livestock, and you will eat and be satisfied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/104-14.htm">Psalm 104:14</a></span><br />He makes the grass grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/115-16.htm">Psalm 115:16</a></span><br />The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth He has given to mankind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-11.htm">Proverbs 12:11</a></span><br />The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/58-11.htm">Isaiah 58:11</a></span><br />The LORD will always guide you; He will satisfy you in a sun-scorched land and strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/29-5.htm">Jeremiah 29:5</a></span><br />“Build houses and settle down. Plant gardens and eat their produce.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/36-34.htm">Ezekiel 36:34-36</a></span><br />The desolate land will be cultivated instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass through. / Then they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden. The cities that were once ruined, desolate, and destroyed are now fortified and inhabited.’ / Then the nations around you that remain will know that I, the LORD, have rebuilt what was destroyed, and I have replanted what was desolate. I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will do it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-21.htm">Matthew 25:21</a></span><br />His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-42.htm">Luke 12:42-44</a></span><br />And the Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their portion at the proper time? / Blessed is that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. / Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/15-1.htm">John 15:1-2</a></span><br />“I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. / He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-20.htm">Romans 8:20-22</a></span><br />For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope / that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. / We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.</p><p class="hdg">the man.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/2-2.htm">Genesis 2:2</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/31-33.htm">Job 31:33</a></b></br> If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom:</p><p class="hdg">put.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/2-8.htm">Genesis 2:8</a></b></br> And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/128-2.htm">Psalm 128:2</a></b></br> For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy <i>shalt</i> thou <i>be</i>, and <i>it shall be</i> well with thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ephesians/4-28.htm">Ephesians 4:28</a></b></br> Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with <i>his</i> hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/revelation/12-14.htm">Care</a> <a href="/revelation/13-16.htm">Causeth</a> <a href="/genesis/2-5.htm">Cultivate</a> <a href="/1_timothy/2-9.htm">Dress</a> <a href="/genesis/2-10.htm">Eden</a> <a href="/genesis/2-8.htm">Elohim</a> <a href="/genesis/2-10.htm">Garden</a> <a href="/revelation/3-10.htm">Guard</a> <a href="/genesis/2-3.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/genesis/1-14.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/genesis/2-3.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/17-18.htm">Care</a> <a href="/genesis/2-21.htm">Causeth</a> <a href="/genesis/3-23.htm">Cultivate</a> <a href="/genesis/18-7.htm">Dress</a> <a href="/genesis/3-23.htm">Eden</a> <a href="/genesis/2-16.htm">Elohim</a> <a href="/genesis/2-16.htm">Garden</a> <a href="/genesis/3-24.htm">Guard</a> <a href="/genesis/5-29.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/genesis/3-23.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/genesis/3-19.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/2-1.htm">The first Sabbath.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/2-4.htm">Further details concerning the manner of creation.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/2-8.htm">The planting of the garden of Eden, and its situation;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/2-15.htm">man is placed in it; and the tree of knowledge forbidden.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/2-18.htm">The animals are named by Adam.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/2-21.htm">The making of woman, and the institution of marriage.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then the LORD God took the man</b><br>This phrase emphasizes God's direct involvement in humanity's creation and placement. The term "LORD God" combines the covenant name Yahweh with Elohim, highlighting both His personal and powerful nature. The act of taking the man suggests divine intention and purpose, indicating that humanity's existence and role are not accidental but part of God's sovereign plan. This reflects the intimate relationship between God and humanity, as seen in other scriptures like <a href="/psalms/8-4.htm">Psalm 8:4-6</a>, where man's place in creation is highlighted.<p><b>and placed him in the Garden of Eden</b><br>The Garden of Eden is depicted as a specific, divinely prepared location, symbolizing a place of provision and fellowship with God. Geographically, while the exact location is unknown, it is described in <a href="/genesis/2-10.htm">Genesis 2:10-14</a> as being near the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, suggesting a location in the ancient Near East. Theologically, Eden represents an ideal state of harmony between God, humanity, and creation, a theme echoed in <a href="/revelation/22.htm">Revelation 22:1-3</a>, where the new creation restores this harmony.<p><b>to cultivate and keep it</b><br>This phrase indicates humanity's role as stewards of creation. "Cultivate" implies active engagement and care for the land, while "keep" suggests protection and preservation. This stewardship reflects God's command in <a href="/genesis/1-28.htm">Genesis 1:28</a> to "fill the earth and subdue it," highlighting humanity's responsibility to manage God's creation wisely. The role of stewardship is a recurring biblical theme, seen in parables like the talents in <a href="/matthew/25-14.htm">Matthew 25:14-30</a>, where faithful management of resources is rewarded. This also prefigures Christ, who perfectly fulfills the role of steward and caretaker of God's creation, as seen in <a href="/colossians/1-16.htm">Colossians 1:16-17</a>, where all things are created through and for Him.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord_god.htm">The LORD God</a></b><br>Refers to Yahweh, the covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal and relational nature with humanity.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_man.htm">The Man</a></b><br>Adam, the first human created by God, representing humanity.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_garden_of_eden.htm">The Garden of Eden</a></b><br>A paradise created by God, symbolizing a place of provision, beauty, and divine presence.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/cultivate_and_keep.htm">Cultivate and Keep</a></b><br>The tasks given to Adam, indicating stewardship and responsibility over creation.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/stewardship_and_responsibility.htm">Stewardship and Responsibility</a></b><br>God entrusts us with His creation, calling us to be responsible stewards of the environment and resources He provides.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/work_as_worship.htm">Work as Worship</a></b><br>Our daily tasks and vocations are opportunities to serve God and reflect His character, turning work into an act of worship.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_placement.htm">Divine Placement</a></b><br>Just as God placed Adam in the Garden, He places us in specific contexts and roles for His purposes, inviting us to seek His guidance in fulfilling our roles.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/partnership_with_god.htm">Partnership with God</a></b><br>We are invited to partner with God in His creative and redemptive work, aligning our efforts with His will and purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_and_protecting.htm">Guarding and Protecting</a></b><br>The call to "keep" the garden extends to protecting and nurturing our spiritual lives, relationships, and communities.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_personal_responsibility.htm">What does the Bible say about personal responsibility?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_unemployment.htm">What does the Bible say about unemployment?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_work.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on work?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_work-life_balance.htm">What does the Bible say about work-life balance?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) <span class= "bld">And the Lord God took the man (the adam),</span> <span class= "bld">and put him into the garden of Eden.</span>--The narrative now reverts to <a href="/genesis/2-8.htm" title="And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.">Genesis 2:8</a>, but the word translated <span class= "ital">put </span>is not the same in both places. Here it literally means <span class= "ital">He made him rest, </span>that is, He gave it to him as his permanent and settled dwelling.<p><span class= "bld">To dress it and to keep it.</span>--The first word literally means <span class= "ital">to work it; </span>for though a paradise, yet the garden had to be tilled and planted. Seeds must be sown and the cultivated plots kept in order; but all this really added to Adam's happiness, because the adamah, as yet uncursed, responded willingly to the husbandman's care. The other word, "to keep it," implies, however, some difficulty and danger. Though no unpropitious weather, nor blight nor mildew, spoiled the crop, yet apparently it had to be guarded against the incursion of wild animals and birds, and protected even against the violence of winds and the burning heat of the sun.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> - Having prepared the garden for man's reception, <span class="cmt_word">the Lord God took the man.</span> "Not physically lifting him up and putting him down in the garden, but simply exerting an influence upon him which induced him, in the exercise of his free agency, to go. He went in consequence of a secret impulse or an open command of his Maker" (Bush). <span class="cmt_word">And put him into the garden</span>; literally, caused him to rest in it as an abode of happiness and peace. <span class="cmt_word">To dress it</span>. <span class="accented">I.e.</span> to till, cultivate, and work it. This would almost seem to hint that the <span class="accented">aurea aetas</span> of classical poetry was but a dream - a reminiscence of Eden, perhaps, but idealized. Even the plants, flowers, and trees of Eden stood in need of cultivation from the hand of man, and would speedily have degenerated without his attention. <span class="cmt_word">And to keep it.</span> Neither were the animals all so peaceful and domesticated that Adam did not need to fence his garden against their depredations. Doubtless there is here too an ominous hint of the existence of that greater adversary against whom he was appointed to watch. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/2-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">took</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקַּ֛ח</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·qaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the man</span><br /><span class="heb">הָֽאָדָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruddy, a human being</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and placed him</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּנִּחֵ֣הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yan·ni·ḥê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3240.htm">Strong's 3240: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bestow, cast down, lay down, up, leave off, let alone remain, pacify, place, </span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the Garden</span><br /><span class="heb">בְגַן־</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·ḡan-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1588.htm">Strong's 1588: </a> </span><span class="str2">An enclosure, garden</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Eden</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵ֔דֶן</span> <span class="translit">(‘ê·ḏen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5731.htm">Strong's 5731: </a> </span><span class="str2">Eden -- the garden home of Adam and Eve</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to cultivate</span><br /><span class="heb">לְעָבְדָ֖הּ</span> <span class="translit">(lə·‘ā·ḇə·ḏāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5647.htm">Strong's 5647: </a> </span><span class="str2">To work, to serve, till, enslave</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and keep it.</span><br /><span class="heb">וּלְשָׁמְרָֽהּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(ū·lə·šā·mə·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/2-15.htm">Genesis 2:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/2-15.htm">Genesis 2:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/2-15.htm">Genesis 2:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/2-15.htm">Genesis 2:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/2-15.htm">Genesis 2:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/2-15.htm">Genesis 2:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/2-15.htm">Genesis 2:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/2-15.htm">Genesis 2:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/2-15.htm">Genesis 2:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/2-15.htm">Genesis 2:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/2-15.htm">OT Law: Genesis 2:15 Yahweh God took the man and put (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/2-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 2:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 2:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/2-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 2:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 2:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>