Genesis 2:11
New International Version
The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold.

New Living Translation
The first branch, called the Pishon, flowed around the entire land of Havilah, where gold is found.

English Standard Version
The name of the first is the Pishon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.

Berean Standard Bible
The name of the first river is the Pishon; it winds through the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.

King James Bible
The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;

New King James Version
The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one which skirts the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.

New American Standard Bible
The name of the first is Pishon; it flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.

NASB 1995
The name of the first is Pishon; it flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.

NASB 1977
The name of the first is Pishon; it flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.

Legacy Standard Bible
The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one that went around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.

Amplified Bible
The first [river] is named Pishon; it flows around the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold.

Christian Standard Bible
The name of the first is Pishon, which flows through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The name of the first is Pishon, which flows through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold.

American Standard Version
The name of the first is Pishon: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;

Contemporary English Version
The first one is the Pishon River that flows through the land of Havilah,

English Revised Version
The name of the first is Pishon: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The name of the first river is Pishon. This is the one that winds throughout Havilah, where there is gold.

Good News Translation
The first river is the Pishon; it flows around the country of Havilah. (

International Standard Version
The name of the first one is Pishon—it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold.

Majority Standard Bible
The name of the first river is the Pishon; it winds through the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.

NET Bible
The name of the first is Pishon; it runs through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold.

New Heart English Bible
The name of the first is Pishon; this is the one which goes around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;

Webster's Bible Translation
The name of the first is Pison, which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;

World English Bible
The name of the first is Pishon: it flows through the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
the name of the first [is] Pison, it [is] that which is surrounding the whole land of Havilah where the gold [is],

Young's Literal Translation
the name of the one is Pison, it is that which is surrounding the whole land of the Havilah where the gold is,

Smith's Literal Translation
The name of the one, Pison: it is that surrounding all the land Havilah, where there is gold.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The name of the one is Phison: that is it which compasseth all the land of Hevilath, where gold groweth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The name of one is the Phison; it is that which runs through all the land of Hevilath, where gold is born;

New American Bible
The name of the first is the Pishon; it is the one that winds through the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.

New Revised Standard Version
The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one that flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one which encircles the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The name of one is Pyshon, that goes around to all the land of Khaweela, where there is gold;
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The name of the first is Pishon; that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The name of the one, Phisom, this it is which encircles the whole land of Evilat, where there is gold.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Man and Woman in the Garden
10Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it branched into four headwaters: 11The name of the first river is Pishon; it winds through the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12And the gold of that land is pure, and bdellium and onyx are found there.…

Cross References
Revelation 21:18-21
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. ...

Ezekiel 28:13
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.

1 Kings 10:2
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.

Job 28:16
It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire.

Isaiah 60:6
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.

1 Kings 9:28
They sailed to Ophir and imported gold from there—420 talents—and delivered it to Solomon.

2 Chronicles 9:10
(The servants of Hiram and of Solomon who brought gold from Ophir also brought algum wood and precious stones.

Numbers 31:22
Only the gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, and lead—

1 Kings 10:10
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.

2 Chronicles 9:1
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.

Matthew 2:11
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.

Psalm 72:15
Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him; may they bless him all day long.

1 Kings 10:14
The weight of gold that came to Solomon each year was 666 talents,

2 Chronicles 9:13
The weight of gold that came to Solomon each year was 666 talents,

Daniel 10:5
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.


Treasury of Scripture

The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasses the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;

Havilah.

Genesis 10:7,29
And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtecha: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan…

Genesis 25:18
And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that is before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: and he died in the presence of all his brethren.

1 Samuel 15:7
And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt.

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Compasseth Entire First Flows Goes Gold Round Surrounding Surrounds Whole Winds
Genesis 2
1. The first Sabbath.
4. Further details concerning the manner of creation.
8. The planting of the garden of Eden, and its situation;
15. man is placed in it; and the tree of knowledge forbidden.
18. The animals are named by Adam.
21. The making of woman, and the institution of marriage.














The name of the first river is Pishon
The word "Pishon" is derived from the Hebrew root "פִּישׁוֹן" (Pishon), which is often associated with the idea of spreading out or dispersing. This river is mentioned only in this context, and its exact location remains a mystery to modern scholars. From a theological perspective, the Pishon represents the abundance and provision of God in the Garden of Eden. It symbolizes the life-giving and sustaining power of God’s creation, reminding us of His providence and the richness of His blessings.

it winds through
The phrase "it winds through" suggests a meandering or flowing path, indicative of the natural and unforced movement of water. In Hebrew, the verb used here can imply a sense of encircling or encompassing. This imagery can be seen as a metaphor for God's omnipresence and His encompassing care for creation. Just as the river winds through the land, God's presence permeates every aspect of our lives, guiding and nurturing us.

the whole land of Havilah
"Havilah" is a name that appears several times in the Bible, often associated with regions rich in resources. The Hebrew root "חֲוִילָה" (Chavilah) may be related to the word for "circle" or "twist," suggesting a land that is complete or full. Historically, Havilah is thought to be a region known for its wealth and natural resources. This reference emphasizes the abundance and prosperity that God intended for humanity in the original creation. It serves as a reminder of the potential for blessing and prosperity when living in accordance with God's will.

where there is gold
Gold, in biblical times, was a symbol of wealth, purity, and divine glory. The mention of gold in Havilah highlights the richness and value of the land. In Hebrew, "זָהָב" (zahav) is the word for gold, often associated with things of great worth and beauty. This reference to gold not only underscores the material abundance of the land but also points to the spiritual richness that God offers. It serves as a metaphor for the purity and holiness that God desires in His relationship with humanity. The presence of gold in Eden reflects the divine intention for humanity to live in a state of blessing and communion with God, where spiritual and material prosperity coexist.

(11, 12) The name of the first is Pison.--"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.

Compasseth.--This word, without strictly meaning to go round, gives the idea of a devious course (comp. 1Samuel 7:16; Song of Solomon 3:3), as if the river had now reached a level plain.

Havilah may mean sandy land (Deutsch), or circuit region. 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 (Genesis 10:29), 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 (Numbers 11:7), though the meaning even there is uncertain.

Instead of bedolach, bdellium, the Syriac reads berulche, that is, the same word in the plural, but with d 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 berulche means pearls, the sense agrees better with the other productions of Havilah, gold and onyx stones. As bedolach 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. . . .

Verses 11, 12. - The name of the first (river is) Pishon, 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. That is it which compasseth (not necessarily surrounding, but skirting in a circular or circuitous fashion - Numbers 21:4; Judges 11:8) the whole land of Havilah. Havilah itself is described by three of its productions. Where there is gold. I.e. it is a gold-producing country. And the gold of that land is good. Of the purest quality and largest quantity. There also is bdellium. Literally bedo-lach, which the manna was declared to resemble (Exodus 17:14; Numbers 11:7). The LXX., supposing it to be a precious stone, translate it by ἄνθραξ ιν the present passage, and by κρυστάλλος in Numbers 11:7 - 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 is the onyx (shoham, 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 (Genesis 10:29) - "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).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The name
שֵׁ֥ם (šêm)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8034: A name

of the first [river]
הָֽאֶחָ֖ד (hā·’e·ḥāḏ)
Article | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

[is] Pishon;
פִּישׁ֑וֹן (pî·šō·wn)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6376: Pishon -- one of the rivers of Eden

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

winds through
הַסֹּבֵ֗ב (has·sō·ḇêḇ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5437: To turn about, go around, surround

the whole
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

land
אֶ֣רֶץ (’e·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Havilah,
הַֽחֲוִילָ֔ה (ha·ḥă·wî·lāh)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2341: Havilah -- a son of Cush, also a son of Joktan, also territories of uncertain location

where
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

there [is]
שָׁ֖ם (šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

gold.
הַזָּהָֽב׃ (haz·zā·hāḇ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091: Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky


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OT Law: Genesis 2:11 The name of the first is Pishon: (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 2:10
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