Genesis 2:8-10

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 2:8

EXPOSITION In accordance with a well-known characteristic of Hebrew composition, the writer, having carried his subject forward to a convenient place of rest, now reverts to a point of time in the six days antecedent to man's appearance on the earth. In anticipation of his arrival, it was needful that a suitable abode should be prepared for his reception. Accordingly, having already mentioned the creation of plants, trees, and flowers, the narrative proceeds to describe the construction... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 2:8

The garden of Eden. I. A SCENE OF BEAUTY . Whether situated in Armenia or Babylonia (see Exposition), it was a fair spot in a sunny region of delights (Eden). This beauty was— 1. Luxuriant . Milton has lavished all the wealth of his creative genius in an attempt to depict "the happy rural seat of the first pair" ('Par. Lost,' bk. 4.). Yet it is questionable if even he has succeeded in reproducing the gorgeous spectacle, the endlessly diversified assortment of lovely forms... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 2:8-17

Man's first dwelling-place. The description of Eden commences an entirely new stage in the record. We are now entering upon the history of humanity as such. I. The first fact in that history is a state of " PLEASANTNESS ." The garden is planted by God. The trees are adapted to human life, to support it, to gratify it; and in the midst of the garden the two trees which represent the two most important facts with which revelation is about to deal, viz; immortality and sin. II. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 2:9

And out of the ground made the Lord God (Jehovah Elohim) to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight —literally, lovely to see; i.e. beautiful in form and color— and good for food . In the preparation of man's pristine abode respect was had to ornamentation as well as utility. Every species of vegetation that could minister to his corporeal necessities was provided. Flowers, trees, and shrubs regaled his senses with their fragrance, pleased his eye with their exquisite forms and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 2:9-10

The tree of life and the water of life. These two features of Eden claim special attention. I. THEIR RECURRRNCE IN SCRIPTURE . They link the paradise of unfallen man to that of redeemed man. Actual channels of life and blessing, they were also figures of that salvation which the history of the world was gradually to unfold. But sin came, and death; present possession was lost. What remained was the promise of a Savior. We pass over much of preparation for his coming: the selection... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 2:10

The precise locality of Eden is indicated by its relation to the great watercourses of the region. And a river (literally, a flowing water, applicable to large oceanic floods— Job 22:16 ; Psalms 24:2 ; Psalms 46:5 ; Jonah 2:4 —as well as to narrow streams) went out (literally, going out) of Eden to water the garden. 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... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 2:8-14

- XI. The Garden8. גן gan “garden, park,” παράδεισος paradeisos, “an enclosed piece of ground.” עדן ‛ēden “Eden, delight.” קדם qedem “fore-place, east; foretime.”11. פישׁון pı̂yshôn Pishon; related: “flow over, spread, leap.” חוילה chăvı̂ylâh Chavilah. חול chôl “sand.” חבל chebel “region.”12. בדלם bedolam, ἄνθραξ anthrax, “carbuncle,” (Septuagint) Βδέλλιον bdellion, a gum of eastern countries, Arabia, India, Media (Josephus, etc.). The pearl (Kimchi). שׁהם sohām πράσινος prasinos,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 2:8

Genesis 2:8. The Lord God planted Or, had planted, namely, on the third day, when he created the fruit-tree yielding fruit; a garden A place peculiarly pleasant, a paradise, separated, it seems, from the rest of the earth, and enclosed, but in what way, we are not informed; eastward From the place where Moses wrote, and from the place where the Israelites afterward dwelt. In Eden Although the word eden signifies delight and pleasure; and undoubtedly the situation of the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 2:9

Genesis 2:9. Every tree pleasant to the sight That was calculated to render this garden the most beautiful place on earth; and good for food That is, agreeable to the taste and useful to the body. So that both man’s mind and body were gratified and enriched. The tree of life also So called, it seems, not only because it was intended to be a sign to Adam, assuring him of the continuance of life and happiness, on condition of his persevering in obedience; but also because God had given to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 2:10-14

Genesis 2:10-14 . A river went out of Eden This river, branching itself into four streams, contributed much both to the pleasantness and fertility of the garden. Hiddekel and Euphrates are rivers of Babylon: but we need not wonder that the rise and situation of all these rivers cannot now be perfectly ascertained, considering the great changes produced in the state of the earth, as well by earthquakes as by the general deluge. Havilah had gold, and spices, and precious stones: ... read more

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