NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground—
15 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Genesis 2:6 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. <sup>there: or, a mist which went up from, etc.</sup>
26 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
and a mist was going up from the land and was watering the whole face of the ground —
19 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Instead, springs came up from the ground and watered all the land.
12 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
(the whole Earth was watered by underground springs)—
8 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
But a mist used to rise from the earth and water the whole surface of the ground.
17 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
15 words
KJV
26 words
ESV
19 words
NLT
12 words
MSG
8 words
NASB
17 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Genesis 2:6?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Genesis 2:6 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 2:6 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.