Examining the Biblical Geography of the Garden of Eden

In a recent study, Ligonier Ministries explores the geographical complexities surrounding the Garden of Eden as described in Genesis 2. The author notes that while the garden is a well-known biblical site, its precise location remains a subject of scholarly debate. The text distinguishes between the garden itself and the broader region of Eden, highlighting the challenge of interpreting directional markers like "in the east" and identifying the four rivers mentioned in the passage.

Drawing on Genesis 2:10–14, the study examines the Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, and Euphrates rivers. While the Tigris and Euphrates are easily identified, the Pishon and Gihon remain difficult to map, as these names may refer to different locations than those mentioned elsewhere in Scripture. The author presents varying scholarly perspectives on the garden's topography, including John Walton’s view that the garden was an elevated site irrigated by a spring from Eden, and Kenneth Kitchen’s alternative interpretation regarding the river system. Ultimately, the study emphasizes that the biblical account provides a descriptive framework that continues to invite careful theological and historical inquiry.