NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
The name of the second river is the Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush.
17 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Genesis 2:13 — 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 name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia. <sup>Ethiopia: Heb. Cush</sup>
23 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
The name of the second river is the Gihon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Cush.
21 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
The second branch, called the Gihon, flowed around the entire land of Cush.
13 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
The second river is named Gihon; it flows through the land of Cush.
13 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
The name of the second river is Gihon; it flows around the whole land of Cush.
16 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
17 words
KJV
23 words
ESV
21 words
NLT
13 words
MSG
13 words
NASB
16 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Genesis 2:13?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Genesis 2:13 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 2:13 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.