The answer is: Four

Gen 2:10

In the ancient text of Genesis, specifically in Genesis 2:10, we discover the fascinating detail about a single river that waters the Garden of Eden and then splits into four branches. This imagery not only paints a lush and fertile scene but highlights the idea of abundance and division—two themes that permeate human experience.

The names of the four rivers—Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, and Euphrates—beckon curiosity. Interestingly, the Tigris and Euphrates remain prominent landmarks in modern geopolitics and culture, flowing through parts of Iraq and ancient Mesopotamia, which is often referred to as the "cradle of civilization." This suggests that Eden-like qualities of fertility, growth, and sustenance can still be felt in areas closely tied to humanity's early stages.

The symbolic wealth of the four rivers transcends geographical boundaries, serving as a metaphor for the various pathways life can take. Each river might stand for different aspects of human experience—wisdom, prosperity, mystery, and danger—the intertwining journeys many take in pursuit of meaning. It also leaves coffee gossip to flow—for instance, the similarities between this Eden story and other ancient accounts, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, where rivers play a significant role, get biblical scholars buzzing over the interconnectedness of teachings across cultures.

In pondering Eden’s rivers, it invites a splash of reflection on the sacredness of life’s journeys and interconnected paths we traverse, revealing how ancient wisdom still flows through time and space today.