Pishon was one of the four rivers that flowed from the river in the Garden of Eden, encircling the land of Havilah, which was known for its gold, bdellium, and onyx.
Also known as Pison
Pishon is one of the four rivers mentioned in the biblical account of the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:11). The Bible describes a single river flowing out of Eden to water the garden, which then divided into four rivers, with Pishon being the first. Pishon is said to wind through the entire land of Havilah, a region known for its abundance of gold, bdellium (a fragrant resin), and onyx stone (Gen. 2:11-12). The name "Pishon" is thought to derive from the Hebrew root "puwsh," meaning "to scatter, spread, or spring forward," possibly indicating that the river originated from a spring and formed a delta. Despite attempts to identify Pishon with various modern-day rivers, such as the Nile, Indus, or Ganges, its exact location remains unknown, as the geography described in the Eden account is difficult to reconcile with the current landscape. Some scholars suggest that the Pishon and the other rivers of Eden may have symbolic or allegorical significance, representing the life-giving power and abundance that flowed from God's presence in the garden.
1 verse in 1 book · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H6376
The name of the first river is Pishon; it winds through the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.
Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.