5 Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground, 6 but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground.
7 Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
The first man is in view. Earth is not fully done, or created for there was no one to work the ground. Nor was there anything to work for nothing green yet appeared. The Garden is not established. Heaven and earth have been created, but here we are given a closer look into the work of God and insight as to His purpose.
Rain from heaven is a metaphor for a spiritual provision, of connection with God. The NIV uses the word "streams" from the earth that water the "surface" of the ground. The words could be translated as "mist" and "face" respectively.
The Creator draws close and breathes onto the face of the man. Life is given to this creature of earth, life that is much more than merely breathing. Spirit and earth intersect in this man.
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