And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
What does Genesis 2:8 mean?
The place fixed upon for Adam to dwell in, was not a palace, but a garden. The better we take up with plain things, and the less we seek things to gratify pride and luxury, the nearer we approach to innocency.
Key themes
Read with
Keep this verse inside Genesis 2:8-10 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Genesis 2:8
- XI. The Garden 8. gan "garden, park," παραδεισος paradeisos, "an enclosed piece of ground." eden "Eden, delight." qedem "fore-place, east; foretime." 11. pyshon Pishon; related: "flow over, spread, leap." chavylah Chavilah. chol "sand." chebel "region." 12. bedolam, ανθραξ anthrax, "carbuncle," (Septuagint) Βδελλιον bdellion, a gum of eastern countries, Arabia, India, Media (Josephus, etc.). The pearl (Kimchi). soham πρασινος prasinos, "leeklike," perhaps the beryl (Septuagint), ονυξ onux, "onyx, sardonyx," a precious stone of the color of the nail (Jerome). 13. gychon Gichon; related: "break forth." kush Kush; r. "heap, gather?" 14. dgla' chddeqel Dijlah, "Tigris." chad, "be sharp. rapidus," perat Frat, Euphrates. The "sweet or broad stream.
Key words
- had planted
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had planted.
- had planted
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had planted.
Context in Genesis 2
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Genesis 2 belongs to the early movement of the book, especially the section often described as primeval history from creation to Babel. Genesis opens the whole Bible with creation, fall, flood, Babel, and the long patriarchal story that carries the reader from Eden to Egypt. Read this chapter with the wider themes of creation, fall, and covenant in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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A collection of passages on hope under pressure, future inheritance, resurrection expectation, and confidence in God’s final faithfulness.
Passages on lowliness, modesty, the contrast between pride and humility, and the way God exalts those who humble themselves.
Glossary
- Eden Place
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Biblical garden. Modern identification: Armenia.