At this point the story of creation centers once again on God and the man he has created.

The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden repeats essentially the information given in Gen 2.8. Some translators may find it best to relate this to verse 8 by placing it in a subordinate clause; for example, “After the LORD God had placed the man in the garden….”

To till it and keep it: for till see verse 5. Keep translates a verb meaning “to be in charge of,” which is used in Gen 30.31 with the sense of “to tend or take care of sheep.” The more general sense is “to guard, protect.” It is not suggested what the garden needs protection from. In many languages it will be better to translate keep it in terms of cultivating or caring for the garden.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .