The Tree of Life
A symbol of life and healing from Eden to the New Jerusalem.
AI-generated artistic depiction (no historical imagery exists)
The Tree of Life is a motif appearing in the opening and closing chapters of the biblical narrative. In Genesis, it is one of the trees planted by God in the Garden of Eden, described as 'the tree of life also in the midst of the garden' (Genesis 2:9). It is distinct from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and after humanity's disobedience, God prevents access to it lest they 'take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever' (Genesis 3:22). In the final book, the tree reappears in the New Jerusalem, bearing twelve kinds of fruit monthly, with leaves 'for the healing of the nations' (Revelation 22:2).
Lore & Background
The Tree of Life first appears in the Garden of Eden, created by God alongside every tree 'pleasant to the sight, and good for food' (Genesis 2:9). Humanity was permitted to eat from all trees except the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17). After Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, God expressed concern that they might also eat from the Tree of Life and live forever (Genesis 3:22). To prevent this, God expelled them and placed cherubim and a flaming sword 'to keep the way of the tree of life' (Genesis 3:24). In Proverbs, wisdom is metaphorically called 'a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her' (Proverbs 3:18), linking the motif to righteous living. The tree reappears in Revelation as part of the restored creation: 'In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life' (Revelation 22:2). This tree yields fruit every month and its leaves provide healing for the nations, contrasting with the guarded tree of Genesis. Other passages mention trees in various contexts—Abraham's hospitality under a tree (Genesis 18:4, 18:8), Jacob's use of poplar, hazel, and chestnut rods (Genesis 30:37), and Joseph's interpretation of the baker's dream involving hanging on a tree (Genesis 40:19)—but these do not directly reference the Tree of Life motif.
Reader's Guide
The passages portray the Tree of Life as a tangible, divinely planted tree in Eden (Genesis 2:9) that grants eternal life if eaten from (Genesis 3:22). Its accessibility is initially unrestricted (Genesis 2:16), but after the fall, God actively bars access with cherubim and a flaming sword (Genesis 3:24). The tree is not mentioned again in the intervening narratives, but Proverbs uses it as a metaphor for wisdom (Proverbs 3:18). In Revelation, the Tree of Life reappears in the New Jerusalem, now freely available, bearing fruit monthly and providing healing (Revelation 22:2). The progression shows a movement from guarded access in Genesis to open access in Revelation, with the tree's fruit and leaves serving restorative purposes. No passage explains the tree's physical appearance or how it bears fruit on both sides of a river. The motif is consistently linked to life, blessing, and divine provision, but the passages do not specify whether it is the same tree or a symbolic counterpart.
Did You Know?
- The Tree of Life is first mentioned in Genesis 2:9 as one of the trees God made to grow in the Garden of Eden.
- After eating the forbidden fruit, God prevented humanity from eating from the Tree of Life to avoid living forever (Genesis 3:22).
- In Revelation 22:2, the Tree of Life bears twelve kinds of fruit, yielding fruit every month, and its leaves heal the nations.
- Proverbs 3:18 uses the Tree of Life as a metaphor for wisdom, saying those who hold onto it are happy.