But springs welled up from the earthThis phrase suggests a natural irrigation system that God established before the rain was common on the earth. The Hebrew word for "springs" can also be translated as "mist" or "streams," indicating a subterranean water source. This reflects the unique hydrological conditions of the pre-Flood world, where water came from beneath rather than above. This system of watering the earth is consistent with the description of the Garden of Eden as a lush and fertile place. The imagery of water rising from the earth can also be seen as a type of the Holy Spirit, who is often symbolized by water in Scripture (
John 7:38-39).
and watered the whole surface of the ground
This indicates the comprehensive provision of God for His creation. The entire surface of the ground was nourished, ensuring that the vegetation could thrive. This pre-Fall environment was one of perfect provision and balance, reflecting God's original design for the earth. The concept of water covering the earth is echoed in the Flood narrative (Genesis 7:11), where the "fountains of the great deep" burst forth. In a spiritual sense, this can be seen as a foreshadowing of the living water that Jesus offers, which nourishes and sustains spiritual life (John 4:14). The idea of God providing water to sustain life is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, symbolizing His care and provision for His people.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
God (Yahweh)The Creator who orchestrates the events of creation, including the provision of water for the earth.
2.
EarthThe newly formed planet, which is being prepared to sustain life.
3.
SpringsThe natural sources of water that emerge from the earth, providing necessary hydration for the land.
4.
GroundThe surface of the earth that is being prepared to support plant life and, eventually, human life.
Teaching Points
God's ProvisionGod provides for His creation in ways that are both miraculous and natural. Just as He provided water for the earth, He provides for our needs today.
Preparation for LifeThe springs in
Genesis 2:6 are part of God's preparation for sustaining life. In our lives, God often prepares us in unseen ways for future growth and fruitfulness.
Dependence on GodJust as the earth depended on springs for water, we must depend on God for our spiritual nourishment and sustenance.
God's Sovereignty in CreationThe emergence of springs from the earth demonstrates God's control over creation. Recognizing His sovereignty can bring peace and trust in His plans for our lives.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Genesis 2:6?
2.How does Genesis 2:6 illustrate God's provision for the earth's needs?
3.What does "streams came up from the earth" reveal about God's creation method?
4.How can we trust God's provision in our lives, as seen in Genesis 2:6?
5.Compare Genesis 2:6 with God's provision in Matthew 6:26-30. What similarities exist?
6.How can we apply God's nurturing care in Genesis 2:6 to our stewardship?
7.How does Genesis 2:6 align with scientific understanding of early Earth's water systems?
8.What is the significance of the "mist" in Genesis 2:6 for creation narratives?
9.Does Genesis 2:6 imply a different creation order than Genesis 1?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 2?
11.What are the fountains of the great deep?
12.Was there rain before the biblical Flood?
13.Numbers 23:19: How do we reconcile 'God is not a man...that he should repent' with passages elsewhere depicting God changing His mind (e.g., Genesis 6:6)?
14.How do I recognize the Holy Spirit's presence?What Does Genesis 2:6 Mean
But springs• The verse opens with a surprising contrast: “But springs…” (Genesis 2:6). Earlier, “the LORD God had not sent rain upon the earth” (Genesis 2:5), yet vegetation would still thrive.
• God supplies what He withholds elsewhere. Where rain was absent, fountains rose. Compare: “You made springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the mountains” (Psalm 104:10).
• The Creator is never limited by natural patterns; He authors them. See alsoJeremiah 2:13, where God is called “the fountain of living water,” underscoring His direct provision.
Welled up from the earth• “Welled up” pictures water emerging forcefully from below the surface, not merely seeping.
• Genesis later refers to “all the fountains of the great deep” bursting open at the Flood (Genesis 7:11). That later cataclysm proves such subterranean sources were real and potent.
• Job testifies, “He cuts out channels in the rocks, and His eye sees every precious thing. He dams up the sources of the streams” (Job 28:10-11). God sovereignly manages hidden reservoirs.
And watered• The springs did what rain had not yet done: “watered.” God’s design ensured the earth lacked nothing essential for life.
• Isaiah echoes this pattern: “For as the rain and snow come down from heaven and do not return without watering the earth… so My word…will accomplish what I please” (Isaiah 55:10-11). Divine provision physically and spiritually never fails.
• Note the perpetual tense—this watering was continual, displaying God’s sustaining care. See alsoPsalm 65:9-10, where God “enriches” and “waters” the land abundantly.
The whole surface of the ground• No corner was left dry; God’s irrigation was comprehensive. The phrase underscores the original harmony and abundance of creation.
• CompareDeuteronomy 11:11-12, where the promised land is “a land of hills and valleys that drinks water by the rain from heaven,” watched over “from the beginning of the year to its end.” Both accounts highlight total coverage by God’s blessing.
• Revelation closes Scripture with a similar image: “the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God” (Revelation 22:1). From Eden’s ground to the New Jerusalem, God saturates His realm with life-giving water.
summaryGenesis 2:6 reveals God’s creative ingenuity: when rain was not yet part of the young earth’s cycle, He caused springs to surge from below, irrigating every inch of soil. The verse testifies to His direct, caring, and comprehensive provision, laying a foundation for trusting the same faithful Creator who still waters both land and lives today.
(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.
Verse 6. -
But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. The dry land having been separated from the waters, and the atmospheric ocean uplifted above them both, vaporous exhalations began to ascend to the aerial regions, and to return again in the shape of rain upon the ground. Jehovah thus
caused it to rain upon the ground, and so prepared it for the vegetation which, in obedience to the Almighty fiat, sprung up at the close of the third day, although the writer does not mention its appearance, but leaves it to be inferred from the preceding section. That soon after its emergence from the waters the land should be "dry, sterile, and sandy" will not be thought remarkable if we remember the highly igneous condition of our planet at the time when the dry land was upheaved and the waters gathered into the subsiding valleys. Nothing would more naturally follow that event than the steaming up of vapors to float in the aerial sea. In fact, the rapidity with which evaporation would be carried on would very speedily leave the newly-formed land hard and dry, baked and caked into a crust, till the atmosphere, becoming overcharged with aqueous vapor, returned it in the shape of rain. To talk of insuperable difficulty and manifest dissonance where everything is clear, natural, and harmonious is to speak at random, and betrays an anxiety to create contradictions rather than to solve them.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
But springsוְאֵ֖ד(wə·’êḏ)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 108:A mistwelled upיַֽעֲלֶ֣ה(ya·‘ă·leh)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927:To ascend, in, activelyfromמִן־(min-)Preposition
Strong's 4480:A part of, from, out ofthe earthהָאָ֑רֶץ(hā·’ā·reṣ)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776:Earth, landand wateredוְהִשְׁקָ֖ה(wə·hiš·qāh)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8248:To quaff, to irrigate, furnish a, potion tothe wholeכָּל־(kāl-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everysurfaceפְּנֵֽי־(pə·nê-)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6440:The faceof the ground.הָֽאֲדָמָֽה׃(hā·’ă·ḏā·māh)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 127:Ground, land
Links
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OT Law: Genesis 2:6 But a mist went up (Gen. Ge Gn) 
