New American Standard Bible 1995

Back to Reader

Genesis

2

:

10

Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it divided and became four rivers.

Lexicon

Verse part Definition: Part of speech: Strong's: Hebrew: Transliteration:
Now a river a stream, river Noun H5104 וְנָהָר֙ ve·na·har
flowed to go or come out Verb H3318 יֹצֵ֣א yo·tze
out of Eden the garden home of Adam and Eve Noun H5731 מֵעֵ֔דֶן me·'e·den,
to water cause to drink water, give to drink Verb H8248 לְהַשְׁקֹ֖ות le·hash·ko·vt
the garden; an enclosure, garden Noun H1588 הַגָּ֑ן hag·gan;
and from there there, thither Adverb H8033 וּמִשָּׁם֙ u·mi·sham
it divided to divide Verb H6504 יִפָּרֵ֔ד yip·pa·red,
and became to fall out, come to pass, become, be Verb H1961 וְהָיָ֖ה ve·ha·yah
four four Noun H702 לְאַרְבָּעָ֥ה le·'ar·ba·'ah
Analysis:

Four: The world, four is the global number

The number "four" has a global or relates to the world. There are some common and similar expressions in the Scripture, which are "the four winds of the heavens" or "the four corners of the earth" or "the four ends of the heavens."  Each of these expressions relate to the earth or the world in a collective manner. In the book of Daniel chapter 2, one reads about a dream which Nebuchadnezzar dreamed. In this dream, he saw an image set up and this image had four distinct parts. Each of these parts represented an empire which ruled over the world.

In the book of Deuteronomy chapter 22, Israel is told to make a four-corner garment and place a tzitzit upon each corner. The tzitzit represents the Biblical commandments of the Torah (see Numbers chapter 15). These commandments are understood as being a framework for life in this world, as when one dies, the tzitzit are removed from one's four corner garment for burial. 

In the books of Ezekiel and Revelation, one encounters the four beasts, which are in the heavens and never cease to praise HaShem. It is understood that the four beasts who continuously say, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God of Hosts, Who was and is and is to come" (see Revelation 4:6-9) are related to the will of God for all the world (His creation). In a similar manner, one of the Seraphim called to another saying, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of Hosts, all of the earth (shall be) with His Glory." 

Loveisrael.org - Baruch Korman, Ph.D. - All Rights Reserved - Used with Permission 2016

rivers. head Noun H7218 רָאשִֽׁים׃ ra·shim.

Parallel Verses

Removed text
Added text
New American Standard Bible 1995 Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it divided and became four rivers.
King James Bible Now And a river flowed went out of Eden to water the garden; and from there thence it divided was parted, and became into four rivers.heads.
Hebrew Greek English Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it divided and became four rivers.