There are two districts of country, mentioned by Moses-Eden and Nod. Gen. ii. 8, iv. 16.

Countries before the flood.

EDEN.

Eden.

EDEN. This was a country distinguished for the

richness of its scenery; and the fertility of its soil. The word Eden, or Delight, evinces this-see also Gen. ii. 9.

For what

distinguished.

With respect to the location of this country, there Location

are different opinions. The three following are, most frequently met with, in writers on Biblical Geography.

different opinions respecting it.

I. It lay to the east of the Caspian Sea, including First. the sources of the Indus-of the western-and the eastern branches of the Oxus, Gihoon, or Jihon—and of the Hermund; which are considered to be the Pison, Gihon, Hiddekel, and Euphrates, mentioned by Moses.

II. It lay among the Armenian, or Gordiæan moun- Second. tains, including the sources of the Euphrates, Tigris, Phasis, and Araxes; which are supposed to be the

Euphrates, Hiddekel, Pison, and Gihon of Moses.

Third.

Paradise.

Situation.

Reasons.

First.

Second.

III. It lay west of the Tigris, including a part of Armenia, of Syria, and of Mesopotamia; and extending south, nearly, to the place where the Euphrates, and Tigris, unite their waters.

The last of these opinions is preferred, as it appears to agree best with the account given, of this country, by Moses. In what he says concerning the situation of Paradise, we have all the assistance we can expect, in ascertaining the locations, and the relative position, of the land of Eden, and of the Sacred garden.

PARADISE.

This interesting spot was, probably, situated on the river Perath, called by the Greeks Euphrates, in the eastern border of the land of Eden, and not a great distance above the place where the Tigris and Euphra

tes meet.

That this opinion is plausible, may appear from the following considerations.

1. It lay in the eastern part of the land of EdenGen. ii. 8.

2. It was situated on a single channel, which was common to four channels, or rivers, mentioned by Moses-or upon a river, which, on leaving the land of Eden, parted, and became four heads, or principal

channels*--“A river went out of Eden, to water the garden; and from thence," or beyond Eden, "it was parted, and became four heads"-Gen. ii. 10. This single channel, or river, was most likely, as it will appear, to be the Euphrates of Moses; and the river that has been long known by that name.

3. This single river, most probably the Euphrates, Third. soon after leaving the land of Eden, was parted, and became four principal, or noble rivers. The first with which it mingled its waters, or that changed it from a single river, or channel, is generally supposed, on strong probable evidence, as will be seen, to be the Tigris. The point at which the Euphrates and Tigris meet, was, according to this, in the eastern frontier of the land of Eden-Gen. ii. 10-and of course, Paradise was in the eastern border of Eden, and not far above the junction of the Euphrates and Tigris.

The full amount of the probability which this opinion possesses will be seen in what Moses says concerning the four rivers, which he mentions in connection with Eden.

*The word translated head, often means capital, chief, principal, most excellent-It cannot here mean source, or fountain head, but river-for the second RIVER, not head, or source, is Gihon. Gen. ii. 13.

Rivers.

Euphrates.

RIVERS.

Moses speaks of four rivers, or channels, into which the one, that ran through the land of Eden, was parted, after leaving its border-" A river went out of Eden to water the garden: and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads." These were the Euphrates, Hiddekel, Gihon, and Pison. Gen. ii. 10-14.

1. THE EUPHRATES.-This was a river well known, and therefore mentioned by Moses without any remark-it evidently flowed through the land of Eden, for neither of the other three did-and after leaving Eden, it retained its name, until it mingled its waters with those of the other heads, or rivers, mentioned by Moses.

Hiddekel. 2. THE HIDDEKEL.-This was that, which, from the point where it met the Euphrates, extended eastward, to Assyria, or before Assyria, and must be the Tigris*-Gen. ii. 14-Margin. See Assyria.

Gihon.

3. THE GIHON.-After the Euphrates and Tigris unite, they flow together, in one channel, a considerable way, then separate into two principal channels; one

* Tigris is considered to be the translation of Hiddekel. Hiddekel implies velocity-"The Tigris," says Pliny, "is so called from its celerity."