The Tree of Life

Illustration of The Tree of Life

The tree of life stood in the midst of Eden, offering unending life to those who ate of it. After the fall, humanity was barred from it by cherubim and a flaming sword, lest they eat and live forever in a fallen state. The tree reappears at the very end of Scripture in the New Jerusalem, its leaves 'for the healing of the nations' - a bookend of paradise lost and restored.

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Strongest connections in Scripture
Genesis 2

Key Passages

The Tree in the Garden

Genesis 2:8-9

God plants the tree of life in the midst of Eden, alongside the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

A8nd the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.

9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Explore Related

Characters

Adam Adam is described in the Bible as the first human being, formed by God from the dust of the ground andโ€ฆ Eve Eve is recognized in the Bible as the first woman, formed by God from one of Adam's ribs to serve as hisโ€ฆ

Places

Garden of Eden The Garden of Eden was the paradise created by God as the original home for Adam and Eve, the first humans,โ€ฆ

Did You Know?

1

The tree of life appears at both ends of the Bible - in Eden and the New Jerusalem.

2

Its leaves in Revelation are 'for the healing of the nations.'

3

After the fall, cherubim and a flaming sword barred the way back to it.

4

Proverbs calls wisdom, righteousness, and a fulfilled desire each 'a tree of life.'