Charles Ellicott Commentary Genesis 2:6

"but there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground." — Genesis 2:6 (ASV)

A mist. —This mist, as we learn from Job 36:27, where the same word is translated vapour, is the measure and material of the rain, and thus there was already preparation for the Divine method of watering the earth and making it capable of producing food for man. But, as we gather from Genesis 1:0, vast periods of indefinite length intervened between the first rain and the creation of man; and in each of them numerous series of animals were introduced, adapted each to the geologic condition of its time. All this is now rapidly passed over, and only three points are lightly touched upon: namely,

1. The earth saturated with vapour, and unfit for man.
2. The vapour condensing into rain, and the earth growing fit for man.
3. Man.