![]() The Hebrew word ‘abad (עבד) can be translated as “to work,” “to serve,” or “to worship.” It is a common verb and is often used for cultivating the soil (Genesis 2:5, 3:23, 4:2,12). These two verbs in Genesis 2:15 are packed with significance, as they portray the ideal vocation of humanity. ![]() “.and Yahweh Elohim took the human and placed him into the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” The Hebrew verbal form ( hithpael) used for God’s “walking back and forth” in the garden (Genesis 3:8) also describes God’s presence in the tabernacle (Leviticus 26:12 Deuteronomy 23:14 2 Samuel 7:6-7 Ezekiel 28:14).Īdditionally, in Genesis 2:15, humanity’s work is described in priestly vocabulary: In the garden, humanity fully experienced God’s presence-walking and talking with him. In the Hebrew Bible, the temple was where priests uniquely experienced God’s presence. ![]() In the garden-temple, humanity served as God’s royal representatives, or priests. If the biblical authors wanted us to see the garden as a temple, are we to see Adam and Eve as priests?Īctually, it seems that this is exactly what the authors had in mind. Every image points back to the garden-temple of Eden. Similarly, Eden’s entrance faced east (Genesis 3:24) and was on a mountain (Ezekiel 28:14, 16). The tree of “knowing” good and bad in the middle of the garden (Genesis 2:8) that is not to be approached (Genesis 2:17) is like the tablets of the Torah placed in the ark of the covenant in the holy of holies (Deuteronomy 31:26), which is Israel’s “wisdom” (Deuteronomy 4:4-6) and “life” (Deuteronomy 32:46-47).Īnd just as the entrance to Israel’s first temple faced east and was situated on a mountain (Exodus 15:17), the future temple described in Ezekiel was also to face east (Ezekiel 40:6) and be built on a mountain (Ezekiel 40:6, 40:2, 43:12). The danger of the “middle” of the garden is like the danger of “holy ground” for Jacob at Bethel (Genesis 35:2) and for Moses and the Israelites in Sinai (Exodus 3:5, 19:1-12). The tree of life (Genesis 2:9) is symbolized by the lampstand in the tabernacle and temple (Exodus 25:31-40). Later on in the Hebrew Bible, God instructed Israelite leaders to incorporate garden imagery into the tabernacle and the temple. The map of Genesis 2:4-18 imitates that of the holy space. This narrative is meant to preview the priesthood and the holy of holies in the Israelite tabernacle and temple. The design plan of Eden is a prototype of the tabernacle and the temple. And in the Genesis account, the garden of Eden is depicted as the center and mainstay of God’s creation. In the ancient Near East, the temple was the center and mainstay of creation. Only priests were allowed inside most temples because they functioned as mediators between the gods and the people of the city. They were sacred spaces where humans and their gods could meet. These buildings were designed to evoke transcendence and awe. The great pyramids of Egypt, ziggurats of Babylon, and ancient palace gardens all pay homage to these concepts. The concept of Eden described as a cosmic mountain-temple would not be unfamiliar to ancient readers. ![]() And in the middle of this cosmic temple, God creates another temple-a garden.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |