Genesis 2:14 - Man and Woman in the Garden

The name of the third river is the Tigris;
The Tigris River is one of the two major rivers in Mesopotamia, the other being the Euphrates. In biblical context, the Tigris is significant as it is part of the region traditionally considered the cradle of civilization. The Tigris is mentioned in other parts of the Bible, such as Daniel 10:4, where Daniel receives a vision by the river. This river's mention in Genesis highlights the geographical setting of the early chapters of the Bible, emphasizing the historical and physical reality of the narrative.

it runs along the east side of Assyria.
Assyria was a powerful ancient empire known for its military prowess and significant influence in the Near East. The mention of Assyria provides a historical anchor, as Assyria became a dominant force in the region during the first millennium BC. The Tigris River's location relative to Assyria underscores the river's importance in trade, agriculture, and communication, contributing to the prosperity and expansion of the Assyrian Empire. This geographical detail also helps readers understand the broader context of the ancient Near East.

And the fourth river is the Euphrates.
The Euphrates River, alongside the Tigris, forms the backbone of Mesopotamia, often referred to as the "land between the rivers." The Euphrates is frequently mentioned in the Bible, symbolizing boundaries and significant locations. In Revelation 9:14, the Euphrates is mentioned in a prophetic context, indicating its continued symbolic importance. The river's mention in Genesis connects the creation narrative to a real-world geography, grounding the story in a tangible setting. The Euphrates' role in ancient history as a life-giving source and a boundary marker reflects its enduring significance in biblical and historical narratives.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Hiddekel (Tigris River)
One of the four rivers mentioned in the Garden of Eden account. It is identified with the Tigris River, which flows through modern-day Turkey and Iraq.

2. Assyria
An ancient kingdom located in the Near East, known for its powerful empire and significant role in biblical history. The Tigris River is noted to run along its eastern side.

3. Euphrates River
Another of the four rivers mentioned, it is one of the most significant rivers in the Near East, flowing through Turkey, Syria, and Iraq.

4. Garden of Eden
The biblical paradise where God placed the first humans, Adam and Eve. The rivers are described as part of this lush and fertile environment.

5. Creation Narrative
The broader context of Genesis 2, which describes God's creation of the world and the establishment of the Garden of Eden.

Teaching Points

Understanding God's Creation
The mention of specific rivers and locations in Genesis 2:14 underscores the historical and geographical reality of God's creation. It invites believers to appreciate the intentionality and order in God's design.

Significance of Water in Scripture
Water is a recurring symbol of life, sustenance, and blessing throughout the Bible. The rivers in Eden remind us of God's provision and the abundance found in His presence.

Historical Context and Faith
Recognizing the historical and geographical references in Scripture can strengthen our faith by grounding biblical events in real-world contexts, affirming the reliability of God's Word.

God's Sovereignty Over Nations
The mention of Assyria and the Euphrates highlights God's sovereignty over nations and history. Believers can trust that God is in control of world events and the unfolding of His divine plan.

Spiritual Rivers of Life
Just as the rivers in Eden nourished the garden, believers are called to seek the spiritual rivers of life found in Christ, who offers living water that satisfies the soul.

(14) Of the "Hiddekel" and "Euphrates" there is no doubt: the former is the Tigris, or Tigres, which is a mere Graecising of its Oriental name, Daglath in Arabic, and Deklath in Syriac, and in the Targum of Onkelos. The word Hiddekel is startling as being a quadriliteral, but the Samaritan Codex reads the Dehel, that is, it has the article instead of the Hebrew Kheth. Mr. Sayce accepts the uncertain reading Hiddekel, and says (Chald. Gen., p. 84) that Hid is the Accadian name for river. Dekel, Tigris, is said to mean an arrow. The Samaritan reading is probably right.

Euphrates.--No description is given of this as being the largest and best known of Asiatic rivers. Hence, probably, the Pison and Gihon were but small streams. Euphrates is the Greek manner of pronouncing the Hebrew Phrath, the first syllable being simply a help in sounding the double consonant. In Accadian it is called Purrat, and means "the curving water," being so named from its shape.

Verse 14. - And the name of the third river is the, Hiddekel, or "the darting," from חַד and דֶּקֶל, a sharp and swift arrow, referring to its rapidity. It is unanimously agreed that this must be identified with the Tigris; in the present language of the Persians designated tir, which signifies an arrow. It is styled in Aramaic diglath or diglah. That is it which goeth towards the east of Assyria. Its identity is thus placed beyond a question. And the fourth river is Euphrates, or "the sweet,' from an unused root, parath, signifying to be sweet, referring to the sweet and pleasant taste of its waters (Jeremiah 2:18). Further description of this great water was unnecessary, being universally known to the Hebrews as "the great river" (Deuteronomy 1:7; Daniel 10:4), and "the river" par excellence (Exodus 23:31; Isaiah 7:20). The river still bears its early name. In the cuneiform inscriptions deciphered by Rawlinson it is called "Ufrata." Recurring now to the site of Eden, it must be admitted that, notwithstanding this description, the whole question is involved in uncertainty. The two solutions of the problem that have the greatest claim on our attention are,

(1) that which places Eden near the head of the Persian Gulf, and

(2) that which looks for it in Armenia. The latter is favored by the close proximity to that region of the sources of both the Euphrates and the Tigris; but, on the other hand, it is hampered by the difficulty of discovering other two rivers that will correspond with the Gihon and the Pison, and the almost certainty that Cush and Havilah are to be sought for in the vicinity of the Persian Gulf. The former (Calvin, Kalisch, T. Lewis) is supported by this last consideration, that Cush and Havilah are not remote from the locality, though it too has its encumbrances. It seems to reverse the idea of לֺיּעֵא, which according to Le Clerc indicates the direction of the stream. Then its advocates, no more than the supporters of the alternate theory, are agreed upon the Gihon and the Pison: Calvin finding them in the two principal mouths of the Euphrates and the Tigris, which Sir Charles Lyell declares to be of comparatively recent formation; Kalisch identifying them with the Indus and the Nile; and Taylor Lewis regarding them as the two sides of the Persian Gulf. Sir H. Rawlinson, from a study of the Assyrian texts, has pointed out the coincidence of the Babylonian region of Karduniyas or Garduniyas with the Eden of the Bible; and the late George Smith finds in its four rivers, Euphrates, Tigris, Surappi, and Ukui, its known fertility, and its name, Gandunu, so similar to Ganeden (the garden of Eden), "considerations all tending towards the view that it is the paradise of Genesis" ('Chald. Genesis,' pp. 3-305). Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

The name
וְשֵׁ֨ם (wə·šêm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8034: A name

of the third
הַשְּׁלִישִׁי֙ (haš·šə·lî·šî)
Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 7992: Third, feminine a, third, a third, a third-story cell)

river
הַנָּהָ֤ר (han·nā·hār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5104: A stream, prosperity

[is] Hiddekel;
חִדֶּ֔קֶל (ḥid·de·qel)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2313: Hiddekel -- ancient name of a Mesopotamian river

it
ה֥וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

runs along
הַֽהֹלֵ֖ךְ (ha·hō·lêḵ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

the east side
קִדְמַ֣ת (qiḏ·maṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6926: The forward part, East

of Assyria.
אַשּׁ֑וּר (’aš·šūr)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 804: Ashshur

And the fourth
הָֽרְבִיעִ֖י (hā·rə·ḇî·‘î)
Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 7243: Fourth, a fourth

river
וְהַנָּהָ֥ר (wə·han·nā·hār)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5104: A stream, prosperity

[is the]
ה֥וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

Euphrates.
פְרָֽת׃ (p̄ə·rāṯ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6578: Euphrates -- a river of west Asia

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