Changes

The text asserts that the Garden was planted in the eastern part of the region known as Eden, and that in Eden, the river divided into four branches: Hiddekel (also known as [[Tigris]]), [[Euphrates]], [[Pishon]] and [[Gihon]]. While the identity of the first two is commonly accepted, the latter two rivers have been the subject of much debate. If the Garden of Eden had been near the sources of the Tigris and the Euphrates, then it might be located in eastern [[Anatolia]], specifically the [[Armenian Highland]] in eastern Turkey.  

The text asserts that the Garden was planted in the eastern part of the region known as Eden, and that in Eden, the river divided into four branches: Hiddekel (also known as [[Tigris]]), [[Euphrates]], [[Pishon]] and [[Gihon]]. While the identity of the first two is commonly accepted, the latter two rivers have been the subject of much debate. If the Garden of Eden had been near the sources of the Tigris and the Euphrates, then it might be located in eastern [[Anatolia]], specifically the [[Armenian Highland]] in eastern Turkey.  

Michael Sanders, director of expeditions for the Mysteries of the Bible Research Foundation, in Irvine, California, says that the Garden of Eden is in eastern [[Turkey]], because the Tigris and Euphrates take their source in the mountains there.  Sanders identifies the 4 rivers of Eden as the [[Murat River]], the Tigris, the Euphrates, and the north fork of the Euphrates.  In support of this, Sanders cites a satellite image showing that "a river rises out of Eden and divides into four".[http://www.biblemysteries.com/library/edennorth.htm Satellite image]  This is centred at approximately 38|33|25.0|N|39|12|0.0|E|

Michael Sanders, director of expeditions for the Mysteries of the Bible Research Foundation, in Irvine, California, says that the Garden of Eden is in eastern [[Turkey]], because the Tigris and Euphrates take their source in the mountains there.  Sanders identifies the 4 rivers of Eden as the [[Murat River]], the Tigris, the Euphrates, and the north fork of the Euphrates.  In support of this, Sanders cites a satellite image showing that "a river rises out of Eden and divides into four".[https://www.biblemysteries.com/library/edennorth.htm Satellite image]  This is centred at approximately 38|33|25.0|N|39|12|0.0|E|

In [[Assyria]]n records, there is mention of a "[[Beth Eden]]" (House of Eden), a small [[Aramaean]] state, located on the bend of the Euphrates River just south of [[Carchemish]], in the vicinity of Urfa and Harran (Turkey) at approximately 36|55|N|38|00|E|.

In [[Assyria]]n records, there is mention of a "[[Beth Eden]]" (House of Eden), a small [[Aramaean]] state, located on the bend of the Euphrates River just south of [[Carchemish]], in the vicinity of Urfa and Harran (Turkey) at approximately 36|55|N|38|00|E|.

==== Northern Mesopotamia====

==== Northern Mesopotamia====

Eden has a brief mention in [[II Kings]] at 19:12, [http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/kjv/kg2019.htm],

Eden has a brief mention in [[II Kings]] at 19:12, [https://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/kjv/kg2019.htm],

:''Have the gods of the nations delivered them which my fathers have destroyed; as [[Gozan]], and [[Haran]], and [[Rezeph]], and the children of '''Eden''' which were in [[Thelasar]]?''

:''Have the gods of the nations delivered them which my fathers have destroyed; as [[Gozan]], and [[Haran]], and [[Rezeph]], and the children of '''Eden''' which were in [[Thelasar]]?''

==== Southern Mesopotamia and The Persian Gulf ====

==== Southern Mesopotamia and The Persian Gulf ====

Satellite photos reveal two dry riverbeds flowing toward the [[Persian Gulf]] near where the Tigris and Euphrates in Mesopotamia also terminate. This would account for four easterly flowing rivers. [[Archaeology|Archaeologist]] [[Juris Zarins]] claimed that the Garden of Eden was situated at the head of the Persian Gulf, where the [[Tigris]] and [[Euphrates]] Rivers run into the sea at {{coor dms|29|47|0|N|48|38|0|E|}}, from his research on this area using information from many different sources, including [[Landsat]] images from space. In this theory, the Bible’s [[Gihon|Gihon River]] would correspond with the [[Al-Qurnah]] in Iraq, and the [[Pishon|Pishon River]] would correspond to the [[Wadi Al-Batin]] river system (also now called the [[Kuwait River]]) that 2,500-3000 years ago drained the now dry, but once quite fertile central part of the Arabian Peninsula from the [[Hijaz mountains]] 600 miles to the South West. This theory is supported by C. A. Salabach  [http://focusmagazine.org/Articles/pishonriver.htm The Pishon River - Found. by C.A. Salabach at Focus Magazine].   

Satellite photos reveal two dry riverbeds flowing toward the [[Persian Gulf]] near where the Tigris and Euphrates in Mesopotamia also terminate. This would account for four easterly flowing rivers. [[Archaeology|Archaeologist]] [[Juris Zarins]] claimed that the Garden of Eden was situated at the head of the Persian Gulf, where the [[Tigris]] and [[Euphrates]] Rivers run into the sea at {{coor dms|29|47|0|N|48|38|0|E|}}, from his research on this area using information from many different sources, including [[Landsat]] images from space. In this theory, the Bible’s [[Gihon|Gihon River]] would correspond with the [[Al-Qurnah]] in Iraq, and the [[Pishon|Pishon River]] would correspond to the [[Wadi Al-Batin]] river system (also now called the [[Kuwait River]]) that 2,500-3000 years ago drained the now dry, but once quite fertile central part of the Arabian Peninsula from the [[Hijaz mountains]] 600 miles to the South West. This theory is supported by C. A. Salabach  [https://focusmagazine.org/Articles/pishonriver.htm The Pishon River - Found. by C.A. Salabach at Focus Magazine].   

Genesis 2:10-14 also states that ''"the name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone."'' In the Biblical [[Table of Nations]], Havilah is associated with Arabia but without a specific location being identified.  The [[Mahd adh Dhahab|Cradle of Gold]] at [[Mahd adh Dhahab]] in the Hijaz mountains is the primary gold area of the peninsula. The Hijaz region also produces [[bdellium]], a gum associated with [[myrrh]] or [[guggul]] plant.[http://focusmagazine.org/Articles/pishonriver.htm The Pishon River - Found. by C.A. Salabach at Focus Magazine].

Genesis 2:10-14 also states that ''"the name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone."'' In the Biblical [[Table of Nations]], Havilah is associated with Arabia but without a specific location being identified.  The [[Mahd adh Dhahab|Cradle of Gold]] at [[Mahd adh Dhahab]] in the Hijaz mountains is the primary gold area of the peninsula. The Hijaz region also produces [[bdellium]], a gum associated with [[myrrh]] or [[guggul]] plant.[https://focusmagazine.org/Articles/pishonriver.htm The Pishon River - Found. by C.A. Salabach at Focus Magazine].

A corresponding theory is that the "there" or "thence" of verse 10 references greater Eden and not the garden, and that the description is of looking upriver from the garden into Eden and that from "there/thence" the river "separates" or "diverges" [Heb פרד = PRD] into four separate rivers. Following each of these upstream, past the various lands, leads you to their headwaters. Rejected is the commonly held idea of a fifth unnamed river from an unstated source that divides into four separate paths. This theory also puts the Garden of Eden in the vicinity of the northern end of the [[Persian Gulf]], supporting the theory of Zarins.

A corresponding theory is that the "there" or "thence" of verse 10 references greater Eden and not the garden, and that the description is of looking upriver from the garden into Eden and that from "there/thence" the river "separates" or "diverges" [Heb פרד = PRD] into four separate rivers. Following each of these upstream, past the various lands, leads you to their headwaters. Rejected is the commonly held idea of a fifth unnamed river from an unstated source that divides into four separate paths. This theory also puts the Garden of Eden in the vicinity of the northern end of the [[Persian Gulf]], supporting the theory of Zarins.

In Jerusalem, there is a water spring called Gihon. This is said to be a part of an underground river<ref>Michas, Peter. ''The Rod of an Almond Tree in God's Master Plan''. Wine Pr. Publishing, 2nd edition (1997). ISBN 1579210074</ref> (though this claim has been disputed), which would link this spring to the Gihon River of Eden.  

In Jerusalem, there is a water spring called Gihon. This is said to be a part of an underground river<ref>Michas, Peter. ''The Rod of an Almond Tree in God's Master Plan''. Wine Pr. Publishing, 2nd edition (1997). ISBN 1579210074</ref> (though this claim has been disputed), which would link this spring to the Gihon River of Eden.  

Eden is also tied with Jerusalem by the prophet Ezekiel. In [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ez.%2028:13-14;&version=49 Ezekiel 28:13-14], he recorded, "You were in Eden, the garden of God;" ... "You were on the holy mount of God." In most Jewish and Christian traditions, "the holy mount of God" is Mt. Moriah, the Temple Mount in Jerusalem (see (Isaiah|2:2-2:3), (Psalm|48:1-2) e.g.). Furthermore, Ezekiel records a vision of a rebuilt [[Temple in Jerusalem]] with a river flowing from under its threshold ([http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ez.%2047:1-12;&version=49 47:1-12]) towards the Dead Sea, bringing life to that which is dead. Because of its supernatural nature, this river has been associated with the "river of life"<ref>Kaplan, Aryeh. ''Waters of Eden.'' National Conference of Synagogue Youth of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America. (1982). ASIN B0006YQYN2  in Eden (the river which watered and flowed from Eden). [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2021:1-22:5;&version=49 Revelation 21:1-22:5] in Christian scripture records a similar vision of a "river of life" and "trees of life" that heal in a new Jerusalem, just as there was a river of life and tree of life in Eden.

Eden is also tied with Jerusalem by the prophet Ezekiel. In [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ez.%2028:13-14;&version=49 Ezekiel 28:13-14], he recorded, "You were in Eden, the garden of God;" ... "You were on the holy mount of God." In most Jewish and Christian traditions, "the holy mount of God" is Mt. Moriah, the Temple Mount in Jerusalem (see (Isaiah|2:2-2:3), (Psalm|48:1-2) e.g.). Furthermore, Ezekiel records a vision of a rebuilt [[Temple in Jerusalem]] with a river flowing from under its threshold ([https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ez.%2047:1-12;&version=49 47:1-12]) towards the Dead Sea, bringing life to that which is dead. Because of its supernatural nature, this river has been associated with the "river of life"<ref>Kaplan, Aryeh. ''Waters of Eden.'' National Conference of Synagogue Youth of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America. (1982). ASIN B0006YQYN2  in Eden (the river which watered and flowed from Eden). [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2021:1-22:5;&version=49 Revelation 21:1-22:5] in Christian scripture records a similar vision of a "river of life" and "trees of life" that heal in a new Jerusalem, just as there was a river of life and tree of life in Eden.

Finally, Jewish and Christian tradition see symbolism within the Temple, which once stood in Jerusalem and can only be rebuilt in Jerusalem, which connects it to Eden; the [[Menorah (Temple)|menorah]] as the tree of life, for example.

Finally, Jewish and Christian tradition see symbolism within the Temple, which once stood in Jerusalem and can only be rebuilt in Jerusalem, which connects it to Eden; the [[Menorah (Temple)|menorah]] as the tree of life, for example.

====Latter Day Saints' geography ====

====Latter Day Saints' geography ====

For members of [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (also known as the [[Mormons]] or Latter Day Saints), the Garden of Eden is believed to have been located in present-day [[Jackson County, Missouri]] according to [[Joseph Smith, Jr.]]<ref>Bruce A. Van Orden, [http://lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.b12f9d18fae655bb69095bd3e44916a0/?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=ba4e425e0848b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1]“I Have a Question: What do we know about the location of the Garden of Eden?”], ''Ensign'', Jan. 1994, 54–55; see also [[Andrew Jenson]], ''Historical Record'', 7:438-39 (1888); [[Orson F. Whitney]], ''Life of Heber C. Kimball'', Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 219 (1967); [[Joseph Fielding Smith]], [[Bruce R. McConkie]] (ed.) ''Doctrines of Salvation'', Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 3:74 (1954-56); Heber C. Kimball, "Advancement of the Saints", ''Journal of Discourses'' 10:235 (1863); ''Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints'', [[Brigham Young]] to [[Orson Hyde]], March 15, 1857 (1830- ); [[Wilford Woodruff]], Susan Staker (ed.), ''Waiting for the World to End: The Diaries of Wilford Woodruff'', Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 305 (1993); [[John A. Widtsoe]], [[G. Homer Durham]] (ed.), ''Evidences and Reconciliations'', 396-397 (1960) Independence, Missouri was revealed to be the "center place" of [[Zion]] and the original dwelling place of Adam and Eve in the Garden which God planted "eastward in Eden".<ref>[http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/57/1-3#1 Doctrine & Covenants 57:1-3]; Bruce R. McConkie, ''Mormon Doctrine'', Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 19-20 </ref><ref> Moses 3:8</ref>  According to Joseph Smith, Adam and Eve traveled 85 miles north to the valley of [[Adam-ondi-Ahman]] after they had transgressed and were driven from the Garden. ''Deseret News'', 10-25, 1895 (Letter Benjamin F. Johnson)</ref>  (Adam-ondi-Ahman is sometimes mistakenly associated with the location of the garden itself).  As for its location in the western hemisphere, some Latter-day Saints have presumed the continents were not yet separate before the Great Flood See, e.g., Mark E. Petersen, ''Noah and the Flood'', 78  and that this approach would be consistent with the configuration of the super-continent [[Pangaea]].<ref>Frank B. Salisbury, ''The Creation'', Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 176 (1976).  While geologists consider that the continents had separated by the [[Cretaceous]] period, some Latter-day Saints and other Christians have pointed to the account in [[Genesis]] which states that the earth was "divided" in the days of [[Peleg]].Genesis 10:25.

For members of [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (also known as the [[Mormons]] or Latter Day Saints), the Garden of Eden is believed to have been located in present-day [[Jackson County, Missouri]] according to [[Joseph Smith, Jr.]]<ref>Bruce A. Van Orden, [https://lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.b12f9d18fae655bb69095bd3e44916a0/?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=ba4e425e0848b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1]“I Have a Question: What do we know about the location of the Garden of Eden?”], ''Ensign'', Jan. 1994, 54–55; see also [[Andrew Jenson]], ''Historical Record'', 7:438-39 (1888); [[Orson F. Whitney]], ''Life of Heber C. Kimball'', Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 219 (1967); [[Joseph Fielding Smith]], [[Bruce R. McConkie]] (ed.) ''Doctrines of Salvation'', Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 3:74 (1954-56); Heber C. Kimball, "Advancement of the Saints", ''Journal of Discourses'' 10:235 (1863); ''Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints'', [[Brigham Young]] to [[Orson Hyde]], March 15, 1857 (1830- ); [[Wilford Woodruff]], Susan Staker (ed.), ''Waiting for the World to End: The Diaries of Wilford Woodruff'', Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 305 (1993); [[John A. Widtsoe]], [[G. Homer Durham]] (ed.), ''Evidences and Reconciliations'', 396-397 (1960) Independence, Missouri was revealed to be the "center place" of [[Zion]] and the original dwelling place of Adam and Eve in the Garden which God planted "eastward in Eden".<ref>[https://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/57/1-3#1 Doctrine & Covenants 57:1-3]; Bruce R. McConkie, ''Mormon Doctrine'', Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 19-20 </ref><ref> Moses 3:8</ref>  According to Joseph Smith, Adam and Eve traveled 85 miles north to the valley of [[Adam-ondi-Ahman]] after they had transgressed and were driven from the Garden. ''Deseret News'', 10-25, 1895 (Letter Benjamin F. Johnson)</ref>  (Adam-ondi-Ahman is sometimes mistakenly associated with the location of the garden itself).  As for its location in the western hemisphere, some Latter-day Saints have presumed the continents were not yet separate before the Great Flood See, e.g., Mark E. Petersen, ''Noah and the Flood'', 78  and that this approach would be consistent with the configuration of the super-continent [[Pangaea]].<ref>Frank B. Salisbury, ''The Creation'', Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 176 (1976).  While geologists consider that the continents had separated by the [[Cretaceous]] period, some Latter-day Saints and other Christians have pointed to the account in [[Genesis]] which states that the earth was "divided" in the days of [[Peleg]].Genesis 10:25.

In the ''[[Pearl of Great Price (Latter Day Saints)|Pearl of Great Price]]'', it is claimed that there were lands and rivers that were given names later attached to other lands and rivers as in the Book of Genesis. [http://scriptures.lds.org/en/moses/3/13a Moses 3:10-14]. The geographic descriptions of Eden in the [[Bible]] would therefore refer to entirely different lands and rivers than those carrying the same names today, whose names were transposed after the biblical flood to local lands and rivers in the Near East. By one account Joseph Smith taught that Noah built the ark near modern-day [[South Carolina]] "...according to the words of the Prophet Joseph, mankind in that age continued to emigrate eastwardly until they reached the country on or near the Atlantic coast; and that in or near Carolina Noah built his remarkable ship, in which he, his family, and all kinds of animals lived a few days over one year without coming out of it." (Oliver B. Huntington, ''The Juvenile Instructor'' (November 15, 1895, pp. 700-701) "The place or country where Noah's ark was built was designated in my hearing by the Prophet Joseph Smith as being in or near South Carolina." (Oliver B. Huntington journal excerpt in Hyrum L. Andrus and Helen Mae Andrus, comps., ''They Knew the Prophet'' [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1974], 65.) . Thus, it is argued, the offspring of Noah populated the eastern hemisphere. See also:  ''Journal of Discourses'' 11:336-337; Alvin R. Dyer, ''The Refiner's Fire'', 111, 167; Bruce R. McConkie, ''Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son of Man'', 622;  Genesis 2:13, 15, 22;  [http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/116 D&C 116]; [http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/117/8-9#8 D&C 117:8-9]. Matthias F. Cowley, Wilford Woodruff: History of his Life and Labors, Bookcraft, p. 481

In the ''[[Pearl of Great Price (Latter Day Saints)|Pearl of Great Price]]'', it is claimed that there were lands and rivers that were given names later attached to other lands and rivers as in the Book of Genesis. [https://scriptures.lds.org/en/moses/3/13a Moses 3:10-14]. The geographic descriptions of Eden in the [[Bible]] would therefore refer to entirely different lands and rivers than those carrying the same names today, whose names were transposed after the biblical flood to local lands and rivers in the Near East. By one account Joseph Smith taught that Noah built the ark near modern-day [[South Carolina]] "...according to the words of the Prophet Joseph, mankind in that age continued to emigrate eastwardly until they reached the country on or near the Atlantic coast; and that in or near Carolina Noah built his remarkable ship, in which he, his family, and all kinds of animals lived a few days over one year without coming out of it." (Oliver B. Huntington, ''The Juvenile Instructor'' (November 15, 1895, pp. 700-701) "The place or country where Noah's ark was built was designated in my hearing by the Prophet Joseph Smith as being in or near South Carolina." (Oliver B. Huntington journal excerpt in Hyrum L. Andrus and Helen Mae Andrus, comps., ''They Knew the Prophet'' [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1974], 65.) . Thus, it is argued, the offspring of Noah populated the eastern hemisphere. See also:  ''Journal of Discourses'' 11:336-337; Alvin R. Dyer, ''The Refiner's Fire'', 111, 167; Bruce R. McConkie, ''Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son of Man'', 622;  Genesis 2:13, 15, 22;  [https://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/116 D&C 116]; [https://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/117/8-9#8 D&C 117:8-9]. Matthias F. Cowley, Wilford Woodruff: History of his Life and Labors, Bookcraft, p. 481

== Eden as paradise ==

== Eden as paradise ==

==External links==

==External links==

* [http://academic-genealogy.com/ancientandmoderngenealogies.htm Online book notes the Garden of Eden was located on what is now the North American continent.]

* [https://academic-genealogy.com/ancientandmoderngenealogies.htm Online book notes the Garden of Eden was located on what is now the North American continent.]

* [http://www.ldolphin.org/eden/ Smithsonian article on the geography of the Tigris-Euphrates region]

* [https://www.ldolphin.org/eden/ Smithsonian article on the geography of the Tigris-Euphrates region]

* [http://www.mega.nu/ampp/eden/overview.html Eden as a precursor of political utopianism]

* [https://www.mega.nu/ampp/eden/overview.html Eden as a precursor of political utopianism]

* [http://www.answersincreation.org/after_eden.htm Review of the Young Earth Creationist Book "After Eden"]

* [https://www.answersincreation.org/after_eden.htm Review of the Young Earth Creationist Book "After Eden"]

* [http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs2001/0125eden_found.asp Tas Walker "Has the Garden of Eden Been Found?"]

* [https://www.answersingenesis.org/docs2001/0125eden_found.asp Tas Walker "Has the Garden of Eden Been Found?"]

* [http://bible.cc/2_kings/19-12.htm Many translations of II Kings 19:12]

* [https://bible.cc/2_kings/19-12.htm Many translations of II Kings 19:12]

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: Cosmology]]

[[Category: Cosmology]]

[[Category: Religion]]

[[Category: Religion]]