Places in the Bible Today:

Pishon

Data

Translated NamesPishon, Pison
Typesbody of water or river
Geo Data KML (for Google Earth)
GeoJSON (for GIS applications)

13 Possible Identifications

  1. Wadi Baysh (modern): 15% confidence

    1. closeup of Wadi BayshWadi Baysh

  2. Persian Gulf (modern): 15% confidence

    1. panorama of the Persian GulfPersian Gulf

  3. Wadi Bishah (modern): less than 10% confidence

    1. satellite view of the region around Wadi BishahWadi Bishah

  4. Wadi al Rummah (modern): less than 10% confidence

    1. panorama of Wadi al RummahWadi al Rummah

  5. Karun River (modern): less than 10% confidence

    1. closeup of the Karun RiverKarun River

  6. Ganges River (modern): less than 10% confidence

    1. panorama of the Ganges RiverGanges River

  7. within 100 km of Eridu (ancient): less than 10% confidence

    1. ruins at Tell Abu Shahrainwithin 100 km of Tell Abu Shahrain

  8. Karkheh River (modern): less than 10% confidence

    1. panorama of the Karkheh RiverKarkheh River

  9. Indus River (modern): less than 10% confidence

    1. panorama of the Indus RiverIndus River

  10. Rioni River (modern): less than 10% confidence

    1. panorama of the Rioni RiverRioni River

  11. not a place (cosmic): less than 10% confidence
  12. Blue Nile (modern): less than 10% confidence

    1. panorama of the Blue NileBlue Nile

  13. not a proper name (canal): less than 10% confidence

Verses (1)

Gen 2:11

Linked Data Identifiers

SourceIdentifier
Logos FactbookPishon
OpenBible.info (2007)Pishon
OpenBible.infoa19b076 (Pishon)
TIPNRPishon@Gen.2.11
UBS Names Databaseot ID_2388

Sources

  1. Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (1992): Pishon (place)
  2. Collins, Genesis 1-4 (2006): page 120
  3. Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000): Eden (place)
  4. Hamilton, Genesis (1995): 2:11-12
  5. HarperCollins Bible Dictionary (2011): Pishon
  6. Hartley, Genesis (2000): 2:10-14 note
  7. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (2003)
  8. IVP Atlas of Bible History (2006): The location of the rivers mentioned in Genesis 2
  9. IVP Old Testament Bible Background Commentary (2000): Gen 2:11
  10. Matthews, Genesis (1996, 2005): 2:10-14
  11. New Unger’s Bible Dictionary (1988): Pishon
  12. Tyndale Bible Dictionary (2001): Pishon
  13. Waltke and Fredricks, Genesis (2001): 2:11-13
  14. Wenham, Genesis (1987, 1994): 2:11
  15. Williams, Genesis (2000): 2:8-17
  16. Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia (1975): Pison
  17. Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible (2010)
  18. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary (2009): Gen 2:11-13

Confidence Trends over Time

This chart indicates how confidence in the identifications is changing over time. Each dot (connected by a dotted line) reflects the confidence of an identification over the preceding ten years (e.g., the 2009 dot reflects scholarship from 2000 to 2009), and the corresponding solid line reflects a best-fit line for the identification. Confidences that cluster near or below 0% indicate low confidence. Because of the small dataset, it's best to use this chart for general trends; if one identification is trending much higher than the others, for example, then you can probably have higher confidence in the identification. This chart only reflects the sources I consulted (listed above), not an exhaustive review of the literature.

Thumbnail Image Credits

majed.m.g, E.3, Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data 2019, Slayym, matin fattahi, Wedstock 2011, David Stanley, Unknown author, Imrankhakwani, infinette, Giustino

About

This page attempts to identify all the possible locations where this biblical place could be. The confidence levels add up to less than 100%, indicating that the modern location is uncertain. It's best to think about the confidences in relative rather than absolute terms. Often they reflect different schools of thought, each confident in their identifications.