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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 2:10 Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it branched into four headwaters:</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/2-10.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/01_Gen_02_10.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 2:10 - Man and Woman in the Garden" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it branched into four headwaters:" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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from there it was separated into four headwaters.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />A river flowed from the land of Eden, watering the garden and then dividing into four branches.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and there it divided and became four rivers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it branched into four headwaters:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four riverheads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it divided and became four rivers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it divided and became four rivers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it divided and became four rivers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it divided and became four rivers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it divided and became four [branching] rivers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A river went out from Eden to water the garden. From there it divided and became the source of four rivers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A river went out from Eden to water the garden. From there it divided and became the source of four rivers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became four heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />From Eden a river flowed out to water the garden, then it divided into four rivers. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became four heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />A river flowed from Eden to water the garden. Outside the garden it divided into four rivers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />A stream flowed in Eden and watered the garden; beyond Eden it divided into four rivers. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />A river flows from Eden to water the garden, and from there it divides, becoming four branches. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it branched into four headwaters:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now a river flows from Eden to water the orchard, and from there it divides into four headstreams.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it separated and became the source of four rivers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And a river went out of Eden to water the garden: and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />A river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it was parted, and became the source of four rivers. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And a river is going out from Eden to water the garden, and from there it is parted, and has become four chief [rivers];<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And a river is going out from Eden to water the garden, and from thence it is parted, and hath become four chief rivers;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And a river shall go out from Eden to water the garden, and from thence it shall be separated into four heads.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And a river went out the place of pleasure to water paradise, which from thence is divided into four heads. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And a river went forth from the place of enjoyment so as to irrigate Paradise, which is divided from there into four heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />A river rises in Eden to water the garden; beyond there it divides and becomes four branches.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />A river flows out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it divides and becomes four branches.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it divided and became into four heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And a river was going out from Eden for its watering to Paradise, and from there it separates and it came to four heads.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became four heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And a river proceeds out of Edem to water the garden, thence it divides itself into four heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/2-10.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=380" 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">9</span>Out of the ground the LORD God gave growth to every tree that is pleasing to the eye and good for food. And in the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. <span class="reftext">10</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5104.htm" title="5104: wə·nå̄·hå̄r (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- A stream, river. From nahar; a stream; figuratively, prosperity.">Now a river</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: yō·ṣê (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">flowed out</a> <a href="/hebrew/5731.htm" title="5731: mê·‘ê·ḏen (Prep-m:: 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/8248.htm" title="8248: lə·haš·qō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- Cause to drink water, give to drink. A primitive root; to quaff, i.e. to irrigate or furnish a potion to.">to water</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/1588.htm" title="1588: hag·gān (Art:: N-cs) -- An enclosure, garden. From ganan; a garden.">the garden,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: ū·miš·šām (Conj-w, Prep-m:: Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence.">and from there</a> <a href="/hebrew/6504.htm" title="6504: yip·pā·rêḏ (V-Nifal-Imperf-3ms) -- To divide. A primitive root; to break through, i.e. Spread or separate.">it branched into</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wə·hā·yāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <a href="/hebrew/702.htm" title="702: lə·’ar·bā·‘āh (Prep-l:: Number-ms) -- Four. Masculine oarbaah; from raba'; four.">four</a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: rā·šîm (N-mp) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">headwaters:</a> </span><span class="reftext">11</span>The name of the first river is Pishon; it winds through the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.…<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="/revelation/22-1.htm">Revelation 22:1-2</a></span><br />Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb / down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/47-1.htm">Ezekiel 47:1-12</a></span><br />Then the man brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I saw water flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar. / Next he brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and there I saw the water trickling out from the south side. / As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and led me through ankle-deep water. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/46-4.htm">Psalm 46:4</a></span><br />There is a river whose streams delight the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/14-8.htm">Zechariah 14:8</a></span><br />And on that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it toward the Eastern Sea and the other half toward the Western Sea, in summer and winter alike.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/21-6.htm">Revelation 21:6</a></span><br />And He told me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give freely from the spring of the water of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-14.htm">John 4:14</a></span><br />But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/48-18.htm">Isaiah 48:18</a></span><br />If only you had paid attention to My commandments, your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like waves of the sea.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/3-18.htm">Joel 3:18</a></span><br />And in that day the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk. All the streams of Judah will run with water, and a spring will flow from the house of the LORD to water the Valley of Acacias.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/7-17.htm">Revelation 7:17</a></span><br />For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. ‘He will lead them to springs of living water,’ and ‘God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-18.htm">Isaiah 41:18</a></span><br />I will open rivers on the barren heights, and fountains in the middle of the valleys. I will turn the desert into a pool of water, and the dry land into flowing springs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-38.htm">John 7:38</a></span><br />Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/17-8.htm">Jeremiah 17:8</a></span><br />He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/22-17.htm">Revelation 22:17</a></span><br />The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-1.htm">Isaiah 55:1</a></span><br />“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/36-8.htm">Psalm 36:8-9</a></span><br />They feast on the abundance of Your house, and You give them drink from Your river of delights. / For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it was parted, and became into four heads.</p><p class="hdg">a river.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/46-4.htm">Psalm 46:4</a></b></br> <i>There is</i> a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy <i>place</i> of the tabernacles of the most High.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/revelation/22-1.htm">Revelation 22:1</a></b></br> And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.</p><p class="hdg">Eden.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/revelation/6-15.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/genesis/1-7.htm">Divided</a> <a href="/genesis/2-8.htm">Eden</a> <a href="/revelation/14-20.htm">Flowed</a> <a href="/revelation/21-17.htm">Four</a> <a href="/genesis/2-9.htm">Garden</a> <a href="/revelation/18-19.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/revelation/21-21.htm">Main</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-16.htm">Parted</a> <a href="/revelation/22-2.htm">River</a> <a href="/revelation/16-4.htm">Rivers</a> <a href="/genesis/1-7.htm">Separated</a> <a href="/genesis/2-6.htm">Streams</a> <a href="/james/4-1.htm">Thence</a> <a href="/genesis/2-6.htm">Water</a> <a href="/genesis/2-6.htm">Watering</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/21-22.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/genesis/10-5.htm">Divided</a> <a href="/genesis/2-15.htm">Eden</a> <a href="/exodus/14-28.htm">Flowed</a> <a href="/genesis/11-13.htm">Four</a> <a href="/genesis/2-15.htm">Garden</a> <a href="/genesis/8-5.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/numbers/20-19.htm">Main</a> <a href="/genesis/10-5.htm">Parted</a> <a href="/genesis/2-13.htm">River</a> <a href="/exodus/7-19.htm">Rivers</a> <a href="/genesis/10-5.htm">Separated</a> <a href="/exodus/7-19.htm">Streams</a> <a href="/genesis/11-8.htm">Thence</a> <a href="/genesis/6-14.htm">Water</a> <a href="/genesis/30-38.htm">Watering</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>Now a river flowed out of Eden</b><br>This phrase introduces the concept of a life-giving river originating from Eden, symbolizing God's provision and sustenance. Rivers in the Bible often represent life, abundance, and divine blessing. The river flowing out of Eden can be seen as a type of the Holy Spirit, who flows from God to bring life and nourishment to His creation. This imagery is echoed in <a href="/revelation/22.htm">Revelation 22:1</a>, where a river of the water of life flows from the throne of God and the Lamb, symbolizing eternal life and divine presence.<p><b>to water the garden</b><br>The purpose of the river is to irrigate the Garden of Eden, ensuring its fertility and beauty. This reflects God's care and provision for His creation, ensuring that the garden remains a place of abundance and life. The garden can be seen as a type of the Kingdom of God, where God provides for His people and sustains them. The concept of God as a provider is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, as seen in passages like <a href="/psalms/23.htm">Psalm 23:1-2</a>, where God is depicted as a shepherd who leads His people to green pastures and still waters.<p><b>and from there it branched into four headwaters:</b><br>The river's division into four headwaters suggests a spreading out of God's blessing and provision to the whole earth. The number four often symbolizes universality in the Bible, representing the four corners of the earth. This branching out can be seen as a foreshadowing of the Gospel spreading to all nations, as Jesus commanded in <a href="/matthew/28-19.htm">Matthew 28:19</a>. The four rivers mentioned later in the passage (Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, and Euphrates) have been subjects of much debate regarding their geographical and historical identification, but they symbolize the reach and influence of God's provision and presence throughout the world.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/eden.htm">Eden</a></b><br>A region created by God, symbolizing a place of divine provision and presence. It is often associated with paradise and the original state of humanity's relationship with God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_river.htm">The River</a></b><br>A life-giving source that flowed out of Eden, signifying God's provision and sustenance for His creation. It is a symbol of abundance and fertility.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_garden.htm">The Garden</a></b><br>Refers to the Garden of Eden, a place of beauty and perfection where Adam and Eve lived before the Fall. It represents the ideal state of harmony between God, humanity, and nature.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/f/four_headwaters.htm">Four Headwaters</a></b><br>The river from Eden divides into four separate rivers, indicating the spread of life and blessing from a single divine source to the wider world.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_provision.htm">Divine Provision</a></b><br>Just as the river in Eden provided for the garden, God provides for our needs. We can trust in His provision and care in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/source_of_life.htm">Source of Life</a></b><br>The river symbolizes the life that flows from God. In our spiritual walk, we must remain connected to God as our source of life and strength.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_abundance.htm">Spiritual Abundance</a></b><br>The branching of the river into four headwaters signifies the abundance and reach of God's blessings. We are called to be channels of His blessings to others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/harmony_with_creation.htm">Harmony with Creation</a></b><br>The original harmony in Eden reminds us of our responsibility to care for God's creation and seek restoration where it is broken.<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/is_the_bible_seen_as_mythology.htm">Is the Bible considered a work of mythology?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_river_of_life's_main_theme.htm">What is the central theme of River of Life?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_garden_of_eden.htm">Where is the historical or archaeological evidence for the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:23–24)? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/were_adam_and_eve_of_caucasian_descent.htm">Were Adam and Eve of Caucasian descent?</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>(10) <span class= "bld">A river went out of Eden.</span>--Out of the large region of which the garden formed a part. The tenses, too, are present, as if the main features of the country remained unchanged: "a river goeth forth from Eden, and thence outside of it is parted, and becometh four main streams." The idea is that of a stream rising in Eden, and flowing through the Paradise, and at some distance outside of it divided into four great rivers. This has made many suppose that the site of Paradise was in the Persian Gulf, in a region now submerged; and the Babylonian legends actually place it there, at Eridu, at the junction of the Tigris and Euphrates. The two other rivers they suppose to have been the Indus and the Nile, represented by the two coasts of the Persian Gulf. Sir H. Rawlinson suggests the Babylonian province of Gan-duniyas, where four rivers may be found; but in neither case could the ark have floated against the current of the flood up to the highlands of Armenia. We must add that many authors of note have regarded the whole as symbolical, among whom is the famous Syriac writer, Bar-Hebraeus, who regards it as a description of the human body.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 10.</span> - The precise locality of Eden is indicated by its relation to the great watercourses of the region. <span class="cmt_word">And a river</span> (literally, a flowing water, applicable to large oceanic floods - <a href="/job/22-16.htm">Job 22:16</a>; <a href="/psalms/24-2.htm">Psalm 24:2</a>; <a href="/psalms/46-5.htm">Psalm 46:5</a>; <a href="/jonah/2-4.htm">Jonah 2:4</a> - as well as to narrow streams) <span class="cmt_word">went out</span> (literally, going out) <span class="cmt_word">of Eden to water the garden.</span> To conclude from this that the river had its source within the limits of the garden is to infer more than the premises will warrant. Nothing more is implied in the language than that a great watercourse proceeded through the district of Eden, and served to irrigate the soil. Probably it intersected the garden, thus occasioning its remarkable fecundity and beauty. <span class="cmt_word">And from thence</span> (<span class="accented">i.e.</span> either on emerging from which, or, taking <span class="hebrew">מן</span> in its secondary sense, outside of, or at a distance from which) <span class="cmt_word">it was parted</span> (literally, divided itself), <span class="cmt_word">and became into four heads.</span> <span class="accented">Roshim</span>, from <span class="accented">rosh</span>, that which is highest; either principal waters, arms or branches (Taylor Lewis, Alford), or beginnings of rivers, indicating the sources of the streams (Gesenius, Keil, Macdonald, Murphy). If the second of these interpretations be adopted, Eden must be looked for in a spot where some great flowing water is subdivided into four separate streams; if the former be regarded as the proper exegesis, then any great river which is first formed by the junction of two streams, and afterwards disperses its waters in two different directions, will meet the requirements of the case. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/2-10.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">Now a river</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנָהָרּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·nā·hār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5104.htm">Strong's 5104: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stream, prosperity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">flowed out</span><br /><span class="heb">יֹצֵ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(yō·ṣê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, bring, out, direct and proxim</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Eden</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵעֵ֔דֶן</span> <span class="translit">(mê·‘ê·ḏen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | 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 water</span><br /><span class="heb">לְהַשְׁק֖וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(lə·haš·qō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8248.htm">Strong's 8248: </a> </span><span class="str2">To quaff, to irrigate, furnish a, potion to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the garden,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַגָּ֑ן</span> <span class="translit">(hag·gān)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - common singular<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">and from there</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמִשָּׁם֙</span> <span class="translit">(ū·miš·šām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8033.htm">Strong's 8033: </a> </span><span class="str2">There, then, thither</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it branched into</span><br /><span class="heb">יִפָּרֵ֔ד</span> <span class="translit">(yip·pā·rêḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6504.htm">Strong's 6504: </a> </span><span class="str2">To break through, spread, separate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">four</span><br /><span class="heb">לְאַרְבָּעָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’ar·bā·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Number - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_702.htm">Strong's 702: </a> </span><span class="str2">Four</span><br /><br /><span class="word">headwaters:</span><br /><span class="heb">רָאשִֽׁים׃</span> <span class="translit">(rā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> </span><span class="str2">The head</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/2-10.htm">Genesis 2:10 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/2-10.htm">Genesis 2:10 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/2-10.htm">Genesis 2:10 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/2-10.htm">Genesis 2:10 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/2-10.htm">Genesis 2:10 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/2-10.htm">Genesis 2:10 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/2-10.htm">Genesis 2:10 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/2-10.htm">Genesis 2:10 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/2-10.htm">Genesis 2:10 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/2-10.htm">Genesis 2:10 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/2-10.htm">OT Law: Genesis 2:10 A river went out of Eden (Gen. 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