SPECIAL TOPIC: EDEN

SPECIAL TOPIC: EDEN (BDB 727)

Eden is a geographical location (i.e., in Sumerian, "steppe" or "flatland"; in Ugaritic, "a plain") in Genesis 2-3, which contained a special garden planted and prepared by God (cf. Gen. 2:8) for fellowship with His highest creation, mankind (i.e., created in the image and likeness, cf. Gen. 1:26-27; 5:1; 9:6). The special garden is also mentioned in Isa. 51:3; Ezek. 28:13; 31:9,16,18 (twice); 36:35; and Joel 2:3.

Apparently the word means "abundance" from an Aramaic root. In Hebrew (BDB 727 III, KB 792 II) the root means "delight" or "pleasure" (lit). The LXX translates it in Gen. 3:23 as "the orchard of delight" or "the garden of delight." After Genesis the term becomes imagery for a well watered, fruitful place.

The Garden of Eden came to represent the time of perfect fellowship between God and mankind (i.e., Gen. 3:8). It, therefore, becomes imagery used of the new heaven and earth (cf. Revelation 21-22).

For me, I have come to believe the special creation of humanity and Eden were recent (i.e., 60,000-20,000 B.C.). This view is called "progressive creationism" (see a good article online by Dale Tooley entitled "Progressive Creationism: An Overview"). At this point in my life, it is a way to allow the Bible to assert the "Who" and Why" of creation and allow modern science to inform me of the "how" and "when." I am not offended by "evolution," but by "naturalism"!

The recent publications of John H. Walton have really helped me think through the early chapters of Genesis with new eyes. My hermeneutical model has always emphasized that the key to interpreting the Bible is

the original inspired author's intent in writing
how would have/could have the first recipients have understood the message/imagery?

Walton's book set Genesis in an ANE historical setting, not our modern worldview. I hope you will look at

The Lost World of Genesis One: An Ancient Cosmology
The Lost World of Adam and Eve