Genesis 2:6
Genesis 2:6 in Multiple Translations
But springs welled up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground.
But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.
but there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.
But a mist went up from the earth, watering all the face of the land.
Dew came up from the earth and made the whole surface of the ground wet.
But a myst went vp from the earth, and watered all the earth.
and a mist goeth up from the earth, and hath watered the whole face of the ground.
but a mist went up from the earth, and watered the whole surface of the ground.
But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.
But a spring rose out of the earth, watering all the surface of the earth.
Instead, mist rose up from the ground, so that it watered the surface of the ground.
Water used to come up from under the ground and wet the top of all the ground.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 2:6
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 2:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אֵ֖ד
יַֽעֲלֶ֣ה
מִן
הָ/אָ֑רֶץ
וְ/הִשְׁקָ֖ה
אֶֽת
כָּל
פְּנֵֽי
הָֽ/אֲדָמָֽה
וְ/אֵ֖ד
ʼêd
H108
mist
Conj | N-ms
יַֽעֲלֶ֣ה
ʻâlâh
H5927
to ascend
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
מִן
min
H4480
from
Prep
הָ/אָ֑רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Art | N-cs
וְ/הִשְׁקָ֖ה
shâqâh
H8248
to water
Conj | V-Hiphil-3ms
אֶֽת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
פְּנֵֽי
pânîym
H6440
face
N-cp
הָֽ/אֲדָמָֽה
ʼădâmâh
H127
land
Art | N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 2:6
וְ/אֵ֖ד
ʼêd
H108
"mist"
Conj | N-ms
This word describes a mist or fog, a cloud of tiny water droplets in the air. In the Bible, it is used to depict a natural phenomenon, like a vapor or mist. The KJV Bible translates it as mist or vapor.
Definition: mist
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: mist, vapor. See also: Genesis 2:6; Job 36:27.
יַֽעֲלֶ֣ה
ʻâlâh
H5927
"to ascend"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.
Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself
Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.
מִן
min
H4480
"from"
Prep
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
הָ/אָ֑רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Art | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
וְ/הִשְׁקָ֖ה
shâqâh
H8248
"to water"
Conj | V-Hiphil-3ms
This verb means to give water or a drink to someone or something, often used in stories like Genesis and Exodus. It describes providing sustenance and care, like God giving water to the Israelites in the desert.
Definition: : watering(ANIMALS/PLANTS) 1) to give to drink, irrigate, drink, water, cause to drink water 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to water, irrigate 1a2) to water, give drink to 1b) (Pual) to be watered 1c) (Niphal) variant
Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: cause to (give, give to, let, make to) drink, drown, moisten, water. See H7937 (שָׁכַר), H8354 (שָׁתָה). See also: Genesis 2:6; 1 Chronicles 11:17; Psalms 36:9.
אֶֽת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
פְּנֵֽי
pânîym
H6440
"face"
N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
הָֽ/אֲדָמָֽה
ʼădâmâh
H127
"land"
Art | N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to the earth or soil, often describing the ground as a source of sustenance. It is used to describe the physical earth, a plot of land, or even a whole country. The KJV translates it as 'country', 'earth', or 'land'.
Definition: : soil 1) ground, land 1a) ground (as general, tilled, yielding sustenance) 1b) piece of ground, a specific plot of land 1c) earth substance (for building or constructing) 1d) ground as earth's visible surface 1e) land, territory, country 1f) whole inhabited earth 1g) city in Naphtali
Usage: Occurs in 211 OT verses. KJV: country, earth, ground, husband(-man) (-ry), land. See also: Genesis 1:25; 1 Kings 8:40; Psalms 49:12.
Study Notes — Genesis 2:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Genesis 2:6 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 2:6
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 2:6
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 2:6
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 2:6
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 2:6
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 2:6
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 2:6
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 2:6
Context — Man and Woman in the Garden
4This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made them.
5Now no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth, nor had any plant of the field sprouted, for the LORD God had not yet sent rain upon the earth, and there was no man to cultivate the ground.
6But springs welled up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground.
7Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being. 8And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, where He placed the man He had formed.Genesis 2:6 Summary
In Genesis 2:6, we learn that before the Lord God sent rain, the earth was watered by springs that came up from the ground. This shows us that the Lord God was preparing the earth for the creation of man and the establishment of the garden in Eden, as described in Genesis 2:8. The watering of the earth is a beautiful picture of the Lord God's care and provision for His creation, and it reminds us of His promise to provide for us, as seen in Psalm 23:1-4 and Jeremiah 31:12. Just as the earth was watered by springs, we can trust that the Lord God will provide for us and quench our spiritual thirst.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the phrase 'springs welled up from the earth' mean in Genesis 2:6?
This phrase suggests that before the Lord God sent rain, the earth was watered by underground springs, as described in Genesis 2:6, which is also supported by the description of the garden in Eden in Genesis 2:8-14, where a river flowed out of the garden to water it.
How did the earth get watered before it rained, according to Genesis 2:6?
According to Genesis 2:5-6, the earth was watered by springs that welled up from the ground, as the Lord God had not yet sent rain, and this watering of the earth is crucial for the eventual creation of man and the garden in Genesis 2:7-8.
Is the watering of the earth in Genesis 2:6 related to the creation of man in Genesis 2:7?
Yes, the watering of the earth in Genesis 2:6 is directly related to the creation of man in Genesis 2:7, as the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, which was made possible by the watering of the earth, and this is also seen in the fact that the Lord God planted a garden in Eden for the man He had formed, as described in Genesis 2:8.
How does the description of the earth's watering in Genesis 2:6 relate to the rest of the creation account?
The description of the earth's watering in Genesis 2:6 is a crucial part of the creation account, as it shows how the Lord God prepared the earth for the creation of man and the establishment of the garden in Eden, which is a central theme in the book of Genesis, as seen in Genesis 1:1-2:25.
Reflection Questions
- What does the image of springs welling up from the earth evoke in my heart, and how does it relate to my own spiritual journey?
- How does the description of the earth's watering in Genesis 2:6 make me think about the Lord God's provision and care for His creation?
- What does the connection between the watering of the earth and the creation of man in Genesis 2:6-7 reveal about the Lord God's purpose for humanity?
- How can I apply the idea of the earth being watered by springs to my own life, in terms of trusting in the Lord God's provision and care?
- What does the fact that the Lord God watered the earth before creating man say about His character and love for His creation?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 2:6
But there went up a mist from the earth,.... After the waters had been drained off from it, and it was warmed by the body of light and heat created on the first day, which caused a vapour, which went
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 2:6
But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 2:6
There went up, from time to time, by God’ s appointment, a vapour, or cloud, which going up into the air, was turned into rain, and fell down again to the earth from whence it arose; whereby the earth was softened, and disposed both to the nourishment of those plants or trees that were created, and to the production of new plants in a natural and ordinary way. But these words may be otherwise understood, the copulative and, here rendered but, being put for the disjunctive or, as it is , , , , and in other places. Or, the negative particle not may be understood out of the foregoing clause, as it is usual in the Hebrew language, as , , , , . And so these words may be joined with the foregoing, and both translated in this manner, There was no rain, nor a man to till the ground, or (or nor, for both come to one thing) so much as a mist which went up from the earth, and watered (as afterwards was usual and natural) the whole face of the ground.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 2:6
Genesis 2:6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.Ver. 6. But there went up a mist.] The matter of rain: and hereby God tempered the mortar whereof he would make man, as he did the clay with spittle, wherewith he cured the blind.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 2:6
(6) A mist.—This mist, as we learn from Job 36:27, where the same word is translated vapour, is the measure and material of the rain, and thus there was already preparation for the Divine method of watering the earth, and making it capable of producing food for man. But, as we gather from Genesis 1, vast periods of indefinite length intervened between the first rain and the creation of man; and in each of them numerous series of animals were introduced, adapted each to the geologic condition of its time. All this now is rapidly passed over, and three points only lightly touched: namely, first, the earth saturated with vapour, and unfit for man; secondly, the vapour condensing into rain, and the earth growing fit for man; thirdly, man.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 2:6
Verse 6. There went up a mist] This passage appears to have greatly embarrassed many commentators. The plain meaning seems to be this, that the aqueous vapours, ascending from the earth, and becoming condensed in the colder regions of the atmosphere, fell back upon the earth in the form of dews, and by this means an equal portion of moisture was distributed to the roots of plants, &c. As Moses had said, Genesis 2:5, that the Lord had not caused it to rain upon the earth, he probably designed to teach us, in Genesis 2:6, how rain is produced, viz., by the condensation of the aqueous vapours, which are generally through the heat of the sun and other causes raised to a considerable height in the atmosphere, where, meeting with cold air, the watery particles which were before so small and light that they could float in the air, becoming condensed, i.e., many drops being driven into one, become too heavy to be any longer suspended, and then, through their own gravity, fall down in the form which we term rain.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 2:6
6. there went up] or “there used to go up,” i.e. periodically. The frequentative idea of the verb is given in the LXX ἀνέβαινεν, Lat. ascendebat. a mist] Heb. ’κd, a word found elsewhere in the O.T. only in Job 36:27, where it is rendered “vapour.” Here the meaning is not certain: the versions (LXX πηγή: Lat. fons: Targum “cloud”) reflect the doubt. The English versions follow the Targum. Recently, Assyriologists have compared the Babylonian κdϋ, meaning a “flood” or “overflowing.” It is possible that the rendering “spring” or “stream” maybe more accurate than “mist”; that in Job 36:27 ’κd may denote the “source” of the waters above the heavens; and that here it may refer to the hidden source of the rivers of the world. No account is given of the origin of rain. watered] Literally, “gave to drink”; an expression better suited to a “stream” than to a “mist”: cf. Genesis 2:10, where it is used of a river. “The ground,” the face of which was watered by it, was “the cultivable soil” (adβmah).
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 2:6
6. A mist — àã, a mist, a vapour. This first watering of the whole face of the ground was accomplished by an ascending vapour. Here is no mention of rain falling; but rather of mist going up.