King James Version
What Does Genesis 2:15 Mean?
“And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. the man: or, Adam”
Context
13
And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia. Ethiopia: Heb. Cush
14
And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates. toward: or, eastward to Assyria
15
And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. the man: or, Adam
16
And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: thou: Heb. eating thou shalt eat
17
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. thou shalt surely: Heb. dying thou shalt die
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(15) **And the Lord God took the man (the adam),** **and put him into the garden of Eden.**—The narrative now reverts to Genesis 2:8, but the word translated *put *is not the same in both places. Here it literally means *He made him rest, *that is, He gave it to him as his permanent and settled dwelling.
**To dress it and to keep it.**—The first word literally means *to work it; *for though a paradise, yet the garden had to be tilled and planted. Seeds must be sown and the cultivated plots kept in order; but all this really added to Adam’s happiness, because the adâmâh, as yet uncursed, responded willingly to the husbandman’s care. The other word, “to keep it,” implies, however, some difficulty and danger. Though no unpropitious weather, nor blight nor mildew, spoiled the crop, yet apparently it had to be guarded against the incursion of wild animals and birds, and protected even against the violence of winds and the burning heat of the sun.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Genesis 2:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Genesis 2:15
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge