NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
(The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin and onyx are also there.)
14 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Genesis 2:12 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone.
15 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
And the gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there.
14 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
The gold of that land is exceptionally pure; aromatic resin and onyx stone are also found there.
17 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
The gold of this land is good. The land is also known for a sweet-scented resin and the onyx stone.
20 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
The gold of that land is good; the bdellium and the onyx stone are there.
15 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
14 words
KJV
15 words
ESV
14 words
NLT
17 words
MSG
20 words
NASB
15 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Genesis 2:12?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Genesis 2:12 in 6 translations: New International Version, King James Version, English Standard Version, New Living Translation, The Message, New American Standard Bible. Each uses a different translation philosophy — from word-for-word (KJV, ESV, NASB) to thought-for-thought (NIV, NLT) to paraphrase (MSG).
Which translation of Genesis 2:12 is best?
No single translation is "best" — it depends on your purpose. For deep study, use the ESV or NASB (word-for-word). For devotional reading, the NIV balances accuracy and readability. The NLT and MSG are excellent for understanding the general meaning in modern English. Comparing multiple translations helps grasp the full richness of the text.
What is the difference between literal and dynamic Bible translations?
Literal (formal equivalence) translations like KJV, ESV, and NASB translate word-for-word from the original Hebrew/Greek. Dynamic equivalence translations like NIV and NLT translate thought-for-thought for clarity. The MSG is a paraphrase that captures the spirit in contemporary language. Each approach has strengths — that's why comparing translations is valuable.