Genesis 2 : 5

This mention of no shrub yet growing seems to contradict the previous chapter where the shrubs grew on the third day. It would seem that this second chapter is a separate account of creation distinct from that in the first chapter, perhaps from a different source. The events in this chapter would have taken place during the six days of creation. The trees were created and the garden was planted on the third day, and Eve formed along with Adam on the sixth day.

The area at the confluence of two of the rivers mentioned in this chapter, the Euphrates and Tigris, was originally settled by the Sumerians and in their language Eden meant plain and it is possible that this is the original meaning of Eden so it was not the garden that was not called Eden but was the area that was called Eden. In Hebrew Eden means pleasure so it could be that it is the Garden of Delight, and not a place name at all. However it could has also been suggested that Eden was the valley plain between the Euphrates and the Tigris and after the Sumerians were driven from the land there was a longing to return to Eden.