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Difference between revisions of "Garden of Eden"
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The second part of the Genesis creation narrative, Genesis 2:4–3:24, opens with [[Tetragrammaton|YHWH]]-Elohim (translated here "[[Yahweh|the LORD God]]") creating the first man (Adam), whom he placed in a garden that he planted "eastward in Eden." | The second part of the Genesis creation narrative, Genesis 2:4–3:24, opens with [[Tetragrammaton|YHWH]]-Elohim (translated here "[[Yahweh|the LORD God]]") creating the first man (Adam), whom he placed in a garden that he planted "eastward in Eden." | ||
The man was free to eat from any tree in the garden except the | The man was free to eat from any tree in the garden except the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, which was taboo. Last of all, God made a woman (Eve) from a rib of the man to be a companion for the man. In Genesis 3, the man and the woman were seduced by [[the Devil|the serpent]] into eating the forbidden fruit, and they were expelled from the garden to prevent them from eating of the [[Tree of Life]], and thus living forever. [[Cherubim]] were placed east of the garden, "and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way of the Tree of Life." | ||
==Location== | ==Location== | ||
The location of Eden is described as the source of four tributaries. Various suggestions have been made for its location: at the head of the Persian Gulf, in southern Mesopotamia | The location of Eden is described as the source of four tributaries. Various suggestions have been made for its location: at the head of the Persian Gulf, in southern Mesopotamia, in Armenia, or even locations entirely outside the Middle East. Others theorize that Eden was the entire Fertile Crescent or a region of "considerable size" in Mesopotamia, where its native inhabitants still exist in cities such as Telassar. | ||
Genesis 2:10–14 lists four rivers in association with the garden of Eden: | Genesis 2:10–14 lists four rivers in association with the garden of Eden: | ||
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* Phirat (the Euphrates). | * Phirat (the Euphrates). | ||
It also refers to the land of Cush—translated/interpreted as Ethiopia, but thought by some to equate to Cossaea, a Greek name for the land of the Kassites. These lands lie north of Elam, immediately to the east of ancient Babylon, which, unlike Ethiopia, does lie within the region being described. In Antiquities of the Jews, the first-century [[Judaism|Jewish]] historian Josephus identifies the Pishon as what "the Greeks called Ganges" and the Geon (Gehon) as the Nile. | It also refers to the land of Cush—translated/interpreted as Ethiopia, but thought by some to equate to Cossaea, a Greek name for the land of the Kassites. These lands lie north of Elam, immediately to the east of ancient Babylon, which, unlike Ethiopia, does lie within the region being described. In ''Antiquities of the Jews'', the first-century [[Judaism|Jewish]] historian Josephus identifies the Pishon as what "the Greeks called Ganges" and the Geon (Gehon) as the Nile. | ||
===Speculated locations=== | ===Speculated locations=== | ||
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For many medieval writers, the image of the Garden of Eden also creates a location for human love and sexuality, often associated with the classic and medieval trope of the ''locus amoenus''. | For many medieval writers, the image of the Garden of Eden also creates a location for human love and sexuality, often associated with the classic and medieval trope of the ''locus amoenus''. | ||
In the ''Divine Comedy'', Dante Alighieri places the Garden at the top of Mt. Purgatory. Dante, the pilgrim, emerges into the Garden of Eden in Canto 28 of ''Purgatorio''. Here he is told that God gave the Garden of Eden to man "in earnest, or as a pledge of eternal life," but man was only able to dwell there for a short time because he soon fell from grace. In the poem, the Garden of Eden is both human and divine: while it is located on [[earth]] at the top of Mt. Purgatory, it also serves as the gateway to the heavens. | In the ''Divine Comedy'', [[Dante Alighieri]] places the Garden at the top of Mt. [[Purgatory]]. Dante, the pilgrim, emerges into the Garden of Eden in Canto 28 of ''Purgatorio''. Here he is told that God gave the Garden of Eden to man "in earnest, or as a pledge of eternal life," but man was only able to dwell there for a short time because he soon fell from grace. In the poem, the Garden of Eden is both human and divine: while it is located on [[earth]] at the top of Mt. Purgatory, it also serves as the gateway to the heavens. | ||
Much of Milton's ''Paradise Lost'' occurs in the Garden of Eden. | Much of Milton's ''Paradise Lost'' occurs in the Garden of Eden. | ||
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The Garden of Eden is held in special regard by some [[occultist]]s, especially those who utilize the [[Kabbalah]] in their workings. The important Kabbalistic book, ''[[Sefer HaRazim]]'', was believed to have been transmitted by [[Archangel Raziel]] to Adam after he was evicted from Eden. Beforehand, they spoke regularly and were close friends. | The Garden of Eden is held in special regard by some [[occultist]]s, especially those who utilize the [[Kabbalah]] in their workings. The important Kabbalistic book, ''[[Sefer HaRazim]]'', was believed to have been transmitted by [[Archangel Raziel]] to Adam after he was evicted from Eden. Beforehand, they spoke regularly and were close friends. | ||
According to the ''[[Zohar]]'', the [[demon]] | According to the ''[[Zohar]]'', the [[demon]] [[Lilith]] was Adam's first wife, but he abandoned her after she refused to obey him. In this narrative, she becomes the consort of the [[angel]] (or [[fallen angel]]) [[Samael]]. | ||
When Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden, [[Archangel Gabriel]] appeared to comfort them. | When Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden, [[Archangel Gabriel]] appeared to comfort them. | ||