The Tree of Life
A tree granting eternal life, guarded after the Fall, restored in paradise.
The Tree of Life is a special tree placed by God in the midst of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:9). It is distinct from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and its fruit grants eternal life to those who eat it (Genesis 3:22). After humanity's fall, access to the Tree of Life was barred by cherubim and a flaming sword (Genesis 3:24). In the book of Revelation, the Tree of Life reappears in the paradise of God, available to those who overcome and keep God's commandments (Revelation 2:7; Revelation 22:14).
- First Mentioned
- Genesis 2:9
- Location in Eden
- in the midst of the garden (Genesis 2:9)
- Effect of Eating
- live for ever (Genesis 3:22)
- Guardians
- Cherubims and a flaming sword (Genesis 3:24)
- Future Promise
- given to him that overcometh (Revelation 2:7)
- Healing Property
- leaves for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:2)
Lore & Background
The Tree of Life first appears in Genesis as one of the trees God made to grow from the ground, pleasant to the sight and good for food, located in the center of Eden alongside the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (Genesis 2:9). After Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden tree, God expressed concern that they might also eat from the Tree of Life and live forever, so He expelled them from the garden (Genesis 3:22). To prevent reentry, God stationed cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the Tree of Life (Genesis 3:24).
In the New Testament, the Tree of Life is promised as a reward to those who overcome, located in the midst of the paradise of God (Revelation 2:7). The final vision of Revelation describes the Tree of Life growing on both sides of the river in the New Jerusalem, bearing twelve kinds of fruit each month, with leaves that heal the nations (Revelation 22:2). Access to this tree is granted to those who do God's commandments, allowing them to enter the city (Revelation 22:14).
Reader's Guide
The passages portray the Tree of Life as a literal source of immortality, first introduced in Eden as a physical tree among others (Genesis 2:9). Its fruit, if eaten, would cause a person to live forever, which is why God barred access after the Fall (Genesis 3:22). The guarding by cherubim and a flaming sword emphasizes that eternal life is no longer freely available to fallen humanity (Genesis 3:24). In Revelation, the Tree of Life is restored as a future blessing for the faithful: it is given to those who overcome (Revelation 2:7), its leaves bring healing to the nations (Revelation 22:2), and only those who keep God's commandments have the right to it (Revelation 22:14). The passages do not describe the Tree of Life as symbolic or allegorical; they present it as a real tree with tangible properties. No details are given about its appearance beyond being pleasant and good for food, nor about how many trees of life exist—only one is mentioned in each context.
Did You Know?
- The Tree of Life was in the midst of the Garden of Eden, alongside the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (Genesis 2:9).
- Eating from the Tree of Life would cause a person to live forever (Genesis 3:22).
- After the Fall, cherubim and a flaming sword guarded the way to the Tree of Life (Genesis 3:24).
- In Revelation, the Tree of Life bears twelve kinds of fruit, one each month, and its leaves heal the nations (Revelation 22:2).