complete verse (Genesis 2:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 2:6:

  • Kankanaey: “But even though it was thus there-being no rain, there was nonetheless water that kept-coming-from below which is what wet the soil.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Rather, water came out of little springs and drenched the whole earth.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “But even-though there-was no rain, the springs on the earth was that which was-causing- the soil/land -to-wet.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Instead, mist rose up from the ground, so that it watered the surface of the ground.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 2:6

Verse 6 does not fit very well into the series of negatives that have described the conditions so far, and it is separated from the main statement in Gen 2.5. If the position of verse 6 causes problems of understanding, it may be placed before “there was no man to till…,” which then becomes introductory to Gen 2.7. Without making any transfer it may be possible to introduce verse 6 with a connecting phrase; for example, “In spite of there being no rain, a mist…” or “Even though it had not yet rained….” In some languages it may be better to begin a new sentence here with a transitional reference to verse 5; for example, “At that time…” or “When there was still no rain….” See comments at the beginning of verse 4b.

But a mist went up from the earth: mist is a word found elsewhere only in Job 36.27 and whose meaning is uncertain (see Revised Standard Version note). The reference is probably to the water beneath the firmament mentioned in 1.7. Went up translates a verb used in Psa 135.7, “He it is who makes the clouds rise….” See also Jer 10.13; 51.16. The reference seems to be to mist rising like clouds, which then wet the earth with dew. This may be translated, for example, “Mist rose up from the ground and caused everything on the ground to be wet.” Some, however, interpret went up to refer to water surging up from underground, and this is the understanding of Good News Translation, “water would come up from beneath the surface [of the earth].” This may also be translated “Water would spring out of the ground, and so the earth would be watered.”

Whole face of the ground means “all the earth, the surface of the earth, the top of the ground” and refers to the area where plants grow.

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 .