CINXE.COM

<!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 2:11 The name of the first river is Pishon; it winds through the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/2-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/01_Gen_02_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 2:11 - Man and Woman in the Garden" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The name of the first river is Pishon; it winds through the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold." /><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'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/2-11.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/2-11.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 11</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad11.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/2-10.htm" title="Genesis 2:10">◄</a> Genesis 2:11 <a href="/genesis/2-12.htm" title="Genesis 2:12">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div 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 name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The first branch, called the Pishon, flowed around the entire land of Havilah, where gold is found.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The name of the first is the Pishon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The name of the first river is the Pishon; it winds through the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The name of the first <i>is</i> Pison: that <i>is</i> it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where <i>there is</i> gold;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The name of the first <i>is</i> Pishon; it <i>is</i> the one which skirts the whole land of Havilah, where <i>there is</i> gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The name of the first is Pishon; it flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The name of the first is Pishon; it flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The name of the first is Pishon; it flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one that went around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The first [river] is named Pishon; it flows around the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The name of the first is Pishon, which flows through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The name of the first is Pishon, which flows through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The name of the first is Pishon: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The first one is the Pishon River that flows through the land of Havilah, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The name of the first is Pishon: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The name of the first river is Pishon. This is the one that winds throughout Havilah, where there is gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The first river is the Pishon; it flows around the country of Havilah. ( <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The name of the first one is Pishon—it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The name of the first river is the Pishon; it winds through the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The name of the first is Pishon; it runs through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The name of the first is Pishon; this is the one which goes around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The name of the first is Pison, which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The name of the first is Pishon: it flows through the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />the name of the first [is] Pison, it [is] that which is surrounding the whole land of Havilah where the gold [is],<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> the name of the one is Pison, it is that which is surrounding the whole land of the Havilah where the gold is,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The name of the one, Pison: it is that surrounding all the land Havilah, where there is gold.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The name of the one is Phison: that is it which compasseth all the land of Hevilath, where gold groweth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The name of one is the Phison; it is that which runs through all the land of Hevilath, where gold is born;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The name of the first is the Pishon; it is the one that winds through the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one that flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one which encircles the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The name of one is Pyshon, that goes around to all the land of Khaweela, where there is gold;<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The name of the first is Pishon; that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The name of the one, Phisom, this it is which encircles the whole land of Evilat, where there is gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/2-11.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=387" 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">10</span>Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it branched into four headwaters: <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: šêm (N-msc) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.">The name</a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: hā·’e·ḥāḏ (Art:: Number-ms) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">of the first river</a> <a href="/hebrew/6376.htm" title="6376: pî·šō·wn (N-proper-fs) -- One of the rivers of Eden. From puwsh; dispersive; Pishon, a river of Eden.">is Pishon;</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">it</a> <a href="/hebrew/5437.htm" title="5437: has·sō·ḇêḇ (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively.">winds through</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’êṯ (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">the whole</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: ’e·reṣ (N-fsc) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">land</a> <a href="/hebrew/2341.htm" title="2341: ha·ḥă·wî·lāh (Art:: N-proper-fs) -- Probably from chuwl; circular; Chavilah, the name of two or three eastern regions; also perhaps of two men.">of Havilah,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">where</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām (Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence.">there is</a> <a href="/hebrew/2091.htm" title="2091: haz·zā·hāḇ (Art:: N-ms) -- Gold. From an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky.">gold.</a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>And the gold of that land is pure, and bdellium and onyx are found there.…<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/21-18.htm">Revelation 21:18-21</a></span><br />The wall was made of jasper, and the city itself of pure gold, as pure as glass. / The foundations of the city walls were adorned with every kind of precious stone: The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, / the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/28-13.htm">Ezekiel 28:13</a></span><br />You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every kind of precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald. Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold, prepared on the day of your creation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/10-2.htm">1 Kings 10:2</a></span><br />She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, gold in great abundance, and precious stones. And she came to Solomon and spoke to him all that was on her mind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/28-16.htm">Job 28:16</a></span><br />It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/60-6.htm">Isaiah 60:6</a></span><br />Caravans of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah, and all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/9-28.htm">1 Kings 9:28</a></span><br />They sailed to Ophir and imported gold from there—420 talents—and delivered it to Solomon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/9-10.htm">2 Chronicles 9:10</a></span><br />(The servants of Hiram and of Solomon who brought gold from Ophir also brought algum wood and precious stones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/31-22.htm">Numbers 31:22</a></span><br />Only the gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, and lead—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/10-10.htm">1 Kings 10:10</a></span><br />Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, a great quantity of spices, and precious stones. Never again were spices in such abundance brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/9-1.htm">2 Chronicles 9:1</a></span><br />Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon, she came to test him with difficult questions. She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, gold in abundance, and precious stones. And she came to Solomon and spoke with him about all that was on her mind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/2-11.htm">Matthew 2:11</a></span><br />On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/72-15.htm">Psalm 72:15</a></span><br />Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him; may they bless him all day long.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/10-14.htm">1 Kings 10:14</a></span><br />The weight of gold that came to Solomon each year was 666 talents,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/9-13.htm">2 Chronicles 9:13</a></span><br />The weight of gold that came to Solomon each year was 666 talents,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/10-5.htm">Daniel 10:5</a></span><br />I lifted up my eyes, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasses the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;</p><p class="hdg">Havilah.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/10-7.htm">Genesis 10:7,29</a></b></br> And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtecha: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/25-18.htm">Genesis 25:18</a></b></br> And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that <i>is</i> before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: <i>and</i> he died in the presence of all his brethren.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/15-7.htm">1 Samuel 15:7</a></b></br> And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah <i>until</i> thou comest to Shur, that <i>is</i> over against Egypt.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hosea/11-12.htm">Compasseth</a> <a href="/james/3-3.htm">Entire</a> <a href="/genesis/1-5.htm">First</a> <a href="/revelation/11-5.htm">Flows</a> <a href="/revelation/19-21.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/revelation/21-21.htm">Gold</a> <a href="/revelation/12-1.htm">Round</a> <a href="/revelation/4-4.htm">Surrounding</a> <a href="/hosea/11-12.htm">Surrounds</a> <a href="/genesis/2-6.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/revelation/7-1.htm">Winds</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/2-13.htm">Compasseth</a> <a href="/genesis/2-13.htm">Entire</a> <a href="/genesis/4-26.htm">First</a> <a href="/genesis/2-13.htm">Flows</a> <a href="/genesis/2-13.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/genesis/2-12.htm">Gold</a> <a href="/genesis/2-13.htm">Round</a> <a href="/genesis/2-13.htm">Surrounding</a> <a href="/genesis/2-13.htm">Surrounds</a> <a href="/genesis/2-13.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/genesis/2-13.htm">Winds</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>The name of the first river is the Pishon;</b><br>The Pishon is one of the four rivers mentioned in the Genesis account of the Garden of Eden. Its exact location is unknown, and it is not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible, leading to various interpretations and theories. Some scholars suggest it could be a now-dry riverbed or a river that has changed course over time. The mention of the Pishon highlights the abundance and life-giving nature of Eden, as rivers are often symbolic of sustenance and divine provision in Scripture.<p><b>it winds through the whole land of Havilah,</b><br>Havilah is a region mentioned several times in the Bible, often associated with wealth and resources. Its precise location is debated, with some identifying it with areas in the Arabian Peninsula or near the Persian Gulf. The description of the Pishon winding through Havilah suggests a fertile and resource-rich area, emphasizing the prosperity and blessing of the land. This imagery of a river nourishing a land is echoed in other biblical passages, such as the river flowing from the temple in <a href="/ezekiel/47.htm">Ezekiel 47</a>.<p><b>where there is gold.</b><br>The mention of gold in Havilah underscores the richness and value of the region. Gold is frequently associated with wealth, royalty, and divinity in the Bible. It is used in the construction of the tabernacle and temple, symbolizing purity and holiness. The presence of gold in Eden can be seen as a foreshadowing of the New Jerusalem in <a href="/revelation/21.htm">Revelation 21</a>, where the streets are made of pure gold, representing the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise of a restored and perfect creation.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/pishon.htm">Pishon</a></b><br>This is the name of the first river mentioned in the context of the Garden of Eden. Its exact location is unknown today, but it is described as winding through the land of Havilah.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/h/havilah.htm">Havilah</a></b><br>A region mentioned in the Bible, noted for its gold. The exact historical and geographical location is uncertain, but it is often associated with wealth and resources.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/gold.htm">Gold</a></b><br>A precious metal mentioned in the context of the land of Havilah. It signifies wealth and value, often used in the Bible to denote prosperity and divine blessing.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_abundance_of_god's_creation.htm">The Abundance of God's Creation</a></b><br>The mention of gold in Havilah highlights the richness and abundance of God's creation. It reminds us that God provides abundantly for His creation, and we are called to steward these resources wisely.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_gold.htm">Symbolism of Gold</a></b><br>Gold is often used in the Bible to symbolize purity, value, and divine blessing. As Christians, we are called to seek spiritual riches and purity in our walk with God, valuing what is eternal over what is temporal.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_mystery_of_god's_creation.htm">The Mystery of God's Creation</a></b><br>The exact location of Pishon and Havilah remains unknown, reminding us that there are mysteries in God's creation that we may not fully understand. This calls us to trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty.<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/what_is_more_precious_than_gold.htm">What is more precious than gold?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_pishon_mean.htm">What does Pishon mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/where_is_the_garden_of_eden_located.htm">Where is the Garden of Eden located?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_the_fullness_of_joy.htm">What is more precious than gold?</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>(11, 12) <span class= "bld">The name of the first is Pison.</span>--"The full-flowing" (Gesenius), or "free-streaming" (Frst). Neither derivation has much authority for it in the Hebrew language, and we must wait for the true explanation till the cuneiform inscriptions have been more thoroughly examined. As two of the four rivers of Paradise rise in Armenia, so we must probably seek the other two there; but the conjectures of commentators have thus far suggested no probable identification of this stream.<p><span class= "bld">Compasseth.</span>--This word, without strictly meaning <span class= "ital">to go round, </span>gives the idea of a devious course (comp. <a href="/1_samuel/7-16.htm" title="And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.">1Samuel 7:16</a>; <a href="/songs/3-3.htm" title="The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw you him whom my soul loves?">Song of Solomon 3:3</a>), as if the river had now reached a level plain.<p><span class= "bld">Havilah </span>may mean <span class= "ital">sandy land </span>(Deutsch), or <span class= "ital">circuit region. </span>There seems to have been more than one country of this name; but the most probable is that in South-Western Arabia, afterwards colonised by the Joktanites (<a href="/genesis/10-29.htm" title="And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab: all these were the sons of Joktan.">Genesis 10:29</a>), which this river skirted rather than traversed. But we know of no such river, rising in Armenia or elsewhere, which answers to this description now. Besides gold of great purity, pronounced emphatically "good," this land produced" bdellium," a scented gum, to which manna is compared (<a href="/numbers/11-7.htm" title="And the manna was as coriander seed, and the color thereof as the color of bdellium.">Numbers 11:7</a>), though the meaning even there is uncertain.<p>Instead of <span class= "ital">bedolach, </span>bdellium, the Syriac reads <span class= "ital">berulche, </span>that is, the same word in the plural, but with <span class= "ital">d </span>instead of r. These two letters being very similar, not merely in the square Hebrew alphabet now in use, but in the original Samaritan characters, are constantly interchanged in manuscripts; and as <span class= "ital">berulche </span>means <span class= "ital">pearls, </span>the sense agrees better with the other productions of Havilah, gold and onyx stones. As <span class= "ital">bedolach </span>is a quadriliteral, while Hebrew words have only three root letters, we must look to the Accadi an language for its true signification, if this be really the right reading. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 11, 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The name of the first</span> (river is) <span class="cmt_word">Pishon</span>, or "the full-flowing." This is the first of those marks by which the river, when discovered, must be identified. It was palpably a broad-bosomed stream. A second is derived from the region through which it flows. <span class="cmt_word">That is it which compasseth</span> (not necessarily surrounding, but skirting in a circular or circuitous fashion - <a href="/numbers/21-4.htm">Numbers 21:4</a>; <a href="/judges/11-8.htm">Judges 11:8</a>) <span class="cmt_word">the whole land of Havilah</span>. Havilah itself is described by three of its productions. <span class="cmt_word">Where there is gold</span>. <span class="accented">I.e.</span> it is a gold-producing country. <span class="cmt_word">And the gold of that land is good.</span> Of the purest quality and largest quantity. <span class="cmt_word">There also is bdellium.</span> Literally <span class="accented">bedo-lach</span>, which the manna was declared to resemble (<a href="/exodus/17-14.htm">Exodus 17:14</a>; <a href="/numbers/11-7.htm">Numbers 11:7</a>). The LXX., supposing it to be a precious stone, translate it by <span class="greek">ἄνθραξ ιν</span> the present passage, and by <span class="greek">κρυστάλλος</span> in <a href="/numbers/11-7.htm">Numbers 11:7</a> - a view supported by the Jewish Rabbis and Gesenius. The majority of modern interpreters espouse the opinion of Josephus, that it was an odorous and costly gum indigenous to India, Arabia, Babylonia, and Bactriana. The third production <span class="cmt_word">is the onyx</span> (<span class="accented">shoham</span>, from a root signifying to be pale or delicate in color, like the finger-nails), variously conjectured to be the beryl, onyx, sardonyx, sardius, or emerald. From this description it appears that Havilah must be sought for among the gold-producing countries of Asia. Now among the sons of Joktan or primitive Arabs (<a href="/genesis/10-29.htm">Genesis 10:29</a>) - "whose dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest, unto Sephar, a mount of the east" - are Ophir and Havilah, whence Gesenius concludes that India, including Arabia, is meant. Other countries have their advocates, such as Arabia Felix, Susiana, Colchis, etc.; and other rivers, such as the Ganges (Josephus, Eusebius), the Phasis (Reland, Jahn, Rosenmüller, Winer), the Indus (Schulthess, Kalisch). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/2-11.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">The name</span><br /><span class="heb">שֵׁ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(šêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8034.htm">Strong's 8034: </a> </span><span class="str2">A name</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the first [river]</span><br /><span class="heb">הָֽאֶחָ֖ד</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’e·ḥāḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Number - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> </span><span class="str2">United, one, first</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[is] Pishon;</span><br /><span class="heb">פִּישׁ֑וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(pî·šō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6376.htm">Strong's 6376: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pishon -- one of the rivers of Eden</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it</span><br /><span class="heb">ה֣וּא</span> <span class="translit">(hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">winds through</span><br /><span class="heb">הַסֹּבֵ֗ב</span> <span class="translit">(has·sō·ḇêḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5437.htm">Strong's 5437: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn about, go around, surround</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the whole</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">land</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶ֣רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(’e·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Havilah,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַֽחֲוִילָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(ha·ḥă·wî·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2341.htm">Strong's 2341: </a> </span><span class="str2">Havilah -- a son of Cush, also a son of Joktan, also territories of uncertain location</span><br /><br /><span class="word">where</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁר־</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">there [is]</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(šām)</span><br /><span class="parse">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">gold.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזָּהָֽב׃</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zā·hāḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2091.htm">Strong's 2091: </a> </span><span class="str2">Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/2-11.htm">Genesis 2:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/2-11.htm">Genesis 2:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/2-11.htm">Genesis 2:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/2-11.htm">Genesis 2:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/2-11.htm">Genesis 2:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/2-11.htm">Genesis 2:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/2-11.htm">Genesis 2:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/2-11.htm">Genesis 2:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/2-11.htm">Genesis 2:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/2-11.htm">Genesis 2:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/2-11.htm">OT Law: Genesis 2:11 The name of the first is Pishon: (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/2-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 2:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 2:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/2-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 2:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 2:12" /></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>