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Chapter 2

Genesis 2:14

RBT Hebrew Literal:
And the name of the River of the Third-one is Hiddekel,80 himself is the One-who-walks81 in front of Straight;82 And the fourth River, himself is Perath.83
RBT Paraphrase:
And he set the River of the Third, Sharp-Swift ("Chid-kel"). Himself is he who walks on the front-side of [east] of Straightened ("Ashshur"). And the River of the Fourth, himself is Sweetwater ("Perath").
Julia Smith Literal 1876 Translation:
And the name of the third river, Hiddekel, that going forth east of Assyria. And the fourth river, Euphrates.
LITV Translation:
And the name of the third river is Tigris; it is the one going east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.
ESV Translation:
And the name of the third river is the Tigris, which flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.
Brenton Septuagint Translation:
And the third river is Tigris, this is that which flows forth over against the Assyrians. And the fourth river is Euphrates.

Footnotes

80

An end-time ‘great river’ mentioned by Daniel, “And in the twenty and fourth day of the first month, I have become by the side of the great river, that is, Hiddekel” Daniel 10:4.

The name "Chidekel" (חדקל) in Hebrew, referring to the Tigris River, has a fascinating etymology that connects it to various languages and cultures.

  1. Akkadian: The name "Tigris" itself comes from the Akkadian word "Idigna" or "Idiglat," which was later Hellenized to "Tigris." Akkadian was the language of ancient Mesopotamia, and the name likely means "swift river" or "arrow-like" due to the river's fast flow.

  2. Hebrew: In the Hebrew Bible, the name "Chidekel" (חדקל) is used, which is a transliteration of the Akkadian name. The Hebrew word is composed of the root "חד" (chad), meaning "sharp tip"  and "קל" (kel), possibly denoting "rapid" or "light," reflecting the river's swift current.

  3. Sumerian Influence: The Sumerians, one of the earliest civilizations in Mesopotamia, referred to the river as "Idigna." This name was likely borrowed and adapted by subsequent cultures, including the Akkadians and Hebrews.

  4. Greek and Latin: The Greek name "Tigris" was adopted from these earlier terms, and this name has been passed down into modern languages.

81

Hebrew הַֽהֹלֵ֖ךְ Definite article the + Participle verb masculine singular –The One Walking. Strong’s #1980, halak. To go, come, walk. This is the word for walking in the Hebrew Scriptures. “the Yahweh elohim walking the enclosure” Gen 3:8, “And Narrow walked near the Elohim” Gen. 5:22, “Rest walked near the Elohim” Gen. 6:9, etc.

82

“Straight” Asshur 2nd son of Shem, and Assyria. Assyria was situated on and supplied water by this river (Tigris). See note on meaning in Gen. 10:11.

Strong's #6926, קדמה qidmah, front side or part. The feminine noun found (not only) in the construct form קדמת which means "the front of" 

Strong's #6924 קדם qadam. This word literally means "front" in the sense of either space or time. The fact that "front" is the idea used to indicate "ancient days/times" is very interesting.

  1. Spatial/Locational Meaning (Front/East):

    • Refers to a physical location or direction, often indicating "the front" or "the east."
    • Examples:
      • Front: Psalm 139:5 — "behind and in front" (אחור וקדם).
      • East: Genesis 25:6 — "frontward toward" (קדמה אל).

  2. Temporal/Ancient Time Meaning:

    • Refers to "ancient times" or "days of old."
    • Examples:
      • Deuteronomy 33:27 — "the ancient God" (אלהי קדם).
      • Psalm 44:2 — "in ancient days" (כימי קדם).
      • Used poetically to highlight historical or eternal aspects of God, places, or events.

This dual usage underscores how קֶדֶם conveys both geographic orientation (eastward/front) and chronological depth (antiquity/eternity), enriching its significance in biblical texts.

83

Strongs #6578 Perath.