עֵ֫דֶן

From the study of Psalm 36:8

Range of meaning

Delight, luxury, delicacy: fine things that give pleasure. Used of luxurious clothing (2 Samuel 1:24) and of dainty food (Jeremiah 51:34). A related form, ʿednah, means pleasure (Genesis 18:12). The word is spelled exactly like the place name Eden (H5731).

Against the English

KJV/WEB "pleasures" can now suggest self-indulgence or sensual pleasure. "Delights" (BSB, NIV, ESV, YLT) is better. No English word can keep the sound of "Eden" as well.

How it drifted

"Pleasures" in modern English often implies hedonism. The Hebrew means the fine, good things a generous host gives, with an echo of paradise.

Used elsewhere in the period

Genesis 2:10: "a river went out from Eden to water (lehashqot) the garden". It uses the same three ingredients as our verse: river, Eden, and the verb "to water/give drink". The Septuagint calls Eden "the paradise of luxury (tryphē)" (Genesis 3:23) and translates our verse with the same word, "the torrent of your luxury (tryphē)". This suggests ancient translators heard the link too.

From the study of Genesis 18:12

Range of meaning

In this exact form the word appears only here. The related plural ʿădānîm means luxuries, delicacies, delights (2 Sam 1:24, fine clothing; Jer 51:34, delicacies; Ps 36:8, "the river of your delights"). The verb ʿādan means to luxuriate or revel (Neh 9:25). Ancient Aramaic shows a related verb meaning "to make abundant/fertile": the Tell Fekheriye inscription uses it of a god who makes the land lush (Millard 1984). Whether the place-name Eden is connected is debated but plausible, at least as a sound the hearer would catch.

Against the English

"Pleasure" (KJV, BSB, ESV, NASB) is right but vague. A modern reader may hear only "enjoyment" in general, or only sex. The word's family points to lushness, being well-watered, abundance and bodily flourishing. It was a word for life coming back, not only for sensation.

How it drifted

English "pleasure" has narrowed in modern use toward either casual enjoyment or a euphemism for sex. The Hebrew picture of something luxuriant and fruitful does not come through.

Used elsewhere in the period

Ancient and medieval readers struggled with it. The Septuagint apparently read "until now". The Vulgate has voluptas ("pleasure, delight"). Genesis Rabbah and medieval Jewish commentators such as Rashi explain it as the smoothness and freshness of young skin returning, or (as an alternative) the return of the menstrual cycle. Modern lexicons (BDB, HALOT) give "delight, luxury", and many commentators (Wenham, Hamilton) see sexual pleasure and fertility together.

From the study of Jeremiah 51:34

Range of meaning

Luxury, delight, dainty things. The root means to live in abundance or pleasure (Neh 9:25). It is used of fine clothing and ornaments (2 Sam 1:24), of God's 'river of delights' (Ps 36:8), and of a king's 'dainties' (Gen 49:20, a related form).

Against the English

KJV has 'delicates', YLT 'dainties', and BSB, WEB and ESV 'delicacies'. These are all accurate. NLT's 'riches' makes the meaning explicit but loses the food picture.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used in Hebrew poetry for luxury and pleasure. The garden name 'Eden' is spelled with the same consonants, and many scholars connect the two (compare Akkadian and Aramaic ʿdn, 'abundance'), though how the words are related is debated.