What Did Paradise Look Like? | Jonathan Pageau

Summary

This script delves into the symbolic significance of trees in the biblical narrative, particularly in Genesis. It explains the tree as a symbol of order and hierarchy, with the Tree of Life representing unity at the summit of a cosmic mountain. The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil symbolizes the division of order into opposites, acting as a barrier to the Tree of Life. The fig tree at the garden's base signifies humanity's fall and covering of their nakedness. A fourth, thorny tree represents the world's hostility beyond the garden. The script suggests a hierarchical structure from unity to multiplicity, reflecting the transformation from fresh to salt water, encapsulating the biblical cosmology.

Takeaways

• 🌳 The tree is a symbol of order and hierarchy in biblical symbolism, representing how everything is interconnected.
• 🌿 The trunk of a tree symbolizes the axis of the world, with branches showing the repeating pattern of unity and separation.
• 🍂 In the Garden of Eden story, there are not two but three trees: the Tree of Life, the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and the fig tree.
• 🏔️ The Garden of Eden is often imagined as a mountain, with the Tree of Life at the summit, representing the source of all life.
• 🚫 The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil served as a barrier to the Tree of Life, symbolizing the division of order into two opposites.
• 🍇 According to Saint Ephrem, Adam and Eve were destined to eat from the Tree of Life after obeying God's command not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge.
• 👕 The fig tree is associated with Adam and Eve's creation of clothing from its leaves, symbolizing their covering of their higher mystery as they moved away from the Tree of Life.
• 🔪 The fourth tree mentioned is a thorn tree or bush, representing the world's hostility and the protection needed for the Tree of Life.
• 🌊 The fresh water from the Garden of Eden is seen as flowing from the Tree of Life, moving downwards and transforming into the salt waters of chaos.
• 🌐 Saint Ephrem describes the Garden of Eden as existing outside normal time and space, with its base extending beyond the known world.
• ⛰️ The entire world is contained within the hierarchical structure of the Garden of Eden, from the gate to the Tree of Life, reflecting a cosmic connection.

Q & A

What is the primary image of a tree in biblical symbolism according to the script?

The tree in biblical symbolism represents order and hierarchy, acting as an axis that brings everything together towards oneness.

How does the script describe the structure of a tree in relation to its branches?

The script describes the trunk of a tree as an axis and the branches as repeating patterns of the tree's structure, with each branch having the same structure as the main tree, signifying cosmic connection.

How many trees are mentioned in the script in relation to the Garden of Eden?

The script mentions four trees in the Garden of Eden: the Tree of Life, the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, the fig tree, and the thorn tree or bush.

What is the significance of the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden according to the script?

The Tree of Life is at the summit of the mountain in the Garden of Eden, symbolizing the axis of the world and the place where all life comes together, offering eternal life.

What role does the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil play in the script's narrative?

The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil is seen as a barrier or test, where Adam and Eve's obedience or disobedience determines their access to the higher mystery of the Tree of Life.

How does Saint Ephrem interpret the relationship between the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil?

Saint Ephrem suggests that if Adam and Eve had obeyed God's commandment, they would eventually have been given the fruit of the Tree of Life, allowing them to ascend towards eternal life.

What is the significance of the fig tree in the script's interpretation of the Garden of Eden?

The fig tree is at the bottom of the mountain in the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve use its leaves to cover their nakedness after the fall, symbolizing the covering of their higher mystery.

What does the script suggest about the location of Paradise in relation to the Garden of Eden?

The script suggests that Paradise is a mountain, with the Garden of Eden at its peak, from which four rivers flow out to water the world.

How does the script describe the relationship between the hierarchical structure of the Garden of Eden and the cosmos?

The script describes the Garden of Eden as a hierarchical structure that brings order to the potentiality of the world, with fresh water flowing from the Tree of Life towards the outer waters of chaos.

What is the script's interpretation of the thorn tree or bush in the Garden of Eden?

The thorn tree or bush is seen as a protective element outside the Garden of Eden, symbolizing the world of hostility and conflict that exists beyond the garden.

How does Saint Ephrem describe the mountain of Paradise in relation to normal time and space?

Saint Ephrem describes the mountain of Paradise as existing outside of normal time and space, with its base extending beyond the known world and the physical ocean.

Outlines

00:00

🌳 Biblical Symbolism of Trees in Genesis

This paragraph explores the symbolic meaning of trees in the biblical narrative, starting with the creation story in Genesis. The tree is depicted as a symbol of order and hierarchy, with the trunk representing an axis and the branches symbolizing the repeating pattern of life's structure. The narrative moves to the Garden of Eden, where traditionally two trees are mentioned, but the script corrects this by stating there are actually three: the Tree of Life, the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and the Fig Tree. The Tree of Life is positioned at the summit, symbolizing the source of all life, while the Tree of Knowledge represents the division of order into opposing concepts. The Fig Tree is associated with Adam and Eve's fall, where they use its leaves for clothing. The paragraph also introduces the concept of paradise as a mountain, with the Tree of Life at its peak, and four rivers flowing from it, watering the world.

05:05

🏞️ The Hierarchical Structure of Paradise

The second paragraph delves deeper into the hierarchical symbolism of the Garden of Eden, likening it to a mountain with the Tree of Life at its peak, the Tree of Knowledge at a lower level, and the Fig Tree at the base, near the garden's wall. This paragraph discusses the idea of the garden's wall as a limit and the fig leaves as a symbol of covering or hiding the 'higher mystery' of the nakedness of Adam and Eve. It also introduces a fourth tree, a thorn tree, which represents the world's hostility and the need for protection. The paragraph further elaborates on the concept of the garden as a microcosm of the cosmos, with the mountain representing paradise and the hierarchical structure extending from the summit to the base, symbolizing the transition from unity to multiplicity and from order to chaos.

10:05

💧 The Cosmological Significance of Water

In the final paragraph, the focus shifts to the cosmological implications of water in the biblical narrative. It discusses the natural flow of fresh water from higher elevations to lower ones, likening this to the rivers originating from the Garden of Eden and flowing into the world. The paragraph suggests a transformation from salt water to fresh water, symbolizing a divine order being brought into chaos. The fresh water is seen as a life-giving force that moves away from the hierarchical mountain, contrasting with the 'waters of chaos' or salt waters. This paragraph ties together the themes of hierarchy, life, and the transformative power of water in the context of the biblical creation story.

Keywords

💡Biblical Symbolism

Biblical symbolism refers to the use of symbols within the Bible to convey deeper spiritual or theological meanings. In the video, it is central to understanding the various trees in the Garden of Eden, each representing different aspects of order, knowledge, and life. The script discusses how these symbols contribute to the overall narrative and theological implications of the creation story.

💡Genesis

Genesis is the first book of the Bible and provides the creation story, including the narrative of the Garden of Eden. The script emphasizes the importance of starting in Genesis to understand the foundational symbolism of the trees and their hierarchical structure in the biblical narrative.

💡Tree of Life

The Tree of Life symbolizes the source of all life and eternal life in the script. It is positioned at the summit of the metaphorical mountain representing paradise, indicating its central role in the hierarchy of life and the video's theme of cosmic connection.

💡Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil

This tree represents the knowledge that leads to the separation of order into opposing concepts of good and evil. The script describes it as a barrier or test, reflecting the choice between obedience and disobedience, and its placement on the mountain signifies a transition point in the narrative.

💡Fig Tree

The fig tree is associated with the act of Adam and Eve covering their nakedness after the fall, as depicted in the script. It symbolizes shame and the loss of innocence, marking a further descent down the mountain of paradise.

💡Mountain of Paradise

The mountain of paradise is a recurring motif in the script, representing the highest point from which life and order emanate. It is depicted as a place beyond normal time and space, with the Tree of Life at its summit and other symbolic trees at various levels.

💡Hierarchy

Hierarchy in the script refers to the ordered structure of creation, with the Tree of Life at the top and other elements descending in significance. It illustrates the organization of the cosmos, from unity to multiplicity, and the movement from the sacred to the profane.

💡Saint Ephrem

Saint Ephrem is a Syrian theologian and saint whose interpretations are cited in the script. His views on the symbolic trees and the Garden of Eden provide a theological perspective on the narrative, emphasizing the journey from obedience to divine knowledge.

💡Thorn Tree/Bush

The thorn tree or bush in the script symbolizes the protective barrier around the Garden of Eden, representing the world of hostility and conflict outside the paradise. It signifies the consequences of the fall and the separation from divine unity.

💡Fresh Water and Salt Water

In the script, fresh water is associated with life and order, flowing from the Tree of Life and down the mountain, while salt water represents chaos and the outer world. This distinction illustrates the transformation and the journey from purity to chaos in the biblical cosmology.

💡Cosmos

The cosmos in the script is depicted as an ordered system with the Garden of Eden at its center, reflecting the hierarchical structure of creation. It includes the mountain of paradise, the symbolic trees, and the surrounding waters, illustrating the interconnectedness of all creation.

Highlights

Understanding Biblical symbolism begins with Genesis and the creation story.

A tree symbolizes order, hierarchy, and the cosmic connection of everything.

The trunk represents the axis, and branches symbolize the repeating pattern of the tree.

The Garden of Eden originally contained three trees: the Tree of Life, the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and the fig tree.

Paradise can be envisioned as a mountain with the Garden of Eden at its peak.

Four rivers flow from the Garden, suggesting its location at a high point.

The Tree of Life is at the summit, symbolizing where all life converges.

The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil represents the separation into opposites.

Saint Ephrem describes the Tree of Knowledge as a barrier to the Tree of Life.

Adam and Eve's obedience would have led to access to the Tree of Life.

The fig tree at the garden's wall symbolizes covering and hiding of higher mysteries.

The thorn tree or bush represents protection from the world's hostility.

The four trees can be seen as one tree with different levels of spiritual significance.

The mountain of Paradise is described as being outside normal time and space.

The hierarchical structure of the Garden of Eden contains the entire known world.

Fresh water from the Garden represents the transformation from salt to fresh, symbolizing order.

The relationship between the tree, hierarchy, and fresh water signifies the cosmos's order.

Transcripts

as usual if you really want to

understand biblical symbolism you have

to start in Genesis and ideally you have

to start in the creation story now a

tree is an image of order it's an image

of hierarchy okay it's an image of how

things come together towards one so you

can imagine the trunk of a tree as a

kind of axis and then you can imagine

the branches of the tree as the

repeating pattern of the tree so a tree

is a the branch of a tree has the same

structure of a tree and as the branch

separates into smaller into smaller

branches the same structure appears on

the tree as the basic tree in itself

okay and so it is an image of this

cosmic connection of everything together

okay so it is an image of order now the

idea of the tree can be order as it

comes towards one but it can also be

order as it separates into the many okay

now to understand the basic idea of the

tree we look at the story in Genesis now

we're used to thinking that in the

Garden of Eden

there was a tree but in fact there were

two trees in the Garden of Eden okay

there was the Tree of Life and the tree

of the knowledge of good and evil but

that's actually wrong there in the

creation in the story of Adam in the

Garden of Eden

there isn't two trees there are three

trees okay and the third tree is the fig

tree okay because when Adam and Eve fall

they make clothing out of the fig leaves

imagine paradise as a mountain okay so

we're some people aren't used to

imagining paradise as a mountain but it

makes absolute sense even in the Bible

it is suggested as

that the Paradise is a mountain though

it's not said explicitly in tradition it

is said explicitly that paradise is a

mountain and the way it's suggested in

the Bible is that it says that four

rivers flow out of the garden and go out

in two different directions and so just

naturally in terms of phenomenology you

have to imagine the four rivers being

from starting at a higher point and then

moving out towards the world so a way to

imagine it is that the Garden of Eden is

actually the highest place in the world

it is the highest mountain and from the

top of the highest mountain comes this

these four streams that then come down

and water the entire world okay so you

have to imagine at the middle of at the

top of the mountain there is a tree and

it's the Tree of Life

it's the axis of the world it's the the

the place where all life comes together

and this notion that if you eat the tree

of life then you have eternal life so

you have the tree at the summit and then

at a lower level on the mountain there's

another tree which is the tree of the

knowledge of good and evil okay and so

the the tree of the knowledge of good

and evil you could see it as the place

where order begins to separate in two

opposites right you saw a way to imagine

it would be that you have the The Tree

of Life up there and then the tree of

knowledge of good and evil and according

to Saint Ephrem the way it works is that

Adam and Eve were placed in the garden

they were told not to eat of the fruit

of the tree of knowledge and good and

evil but the tree of the knowledge of

good and evil actually acted as a kind

of barrier like in the temple a barrier

towards the most holy place the highest

place the place where everything totally

comes together which is the Tree of Life

and so what Saint Ephrem says and this

is not just in Saint Ephrem but it's

actually repeated in st. Irenaeus for

example and and in in some of the

Cappadocia father's and in Jewish

tradition that in fact if Adam and Eve

had obeyed

the commandment of God to not eat the

tree God would have eventually given

them the fruit so that they could then

ascend towards the the Tree of Life and

so you can imagine this tree of good and

evil as a test for whether or not Adam

II will do it we'll do it by disobeying

out of their own volition or by

submitting to the higher authority by

submitting to the transcendent rule

would then have access to the higher

mystery okay so imagine now the tree of

the Tree of Life in the center as this

one axis then the tree of the good and

evil as the place where things start to

separate and I imagine the mountain is

getting wider and then at the bottom of

the mountain you have the wall of the

garden which acts as the limit of the

garden and there you have the fig tree

and so there the Adam and Eve take the

leaves of the fig tree and cover

themselves with them so you can see how

as they move down the mountain from the

tree of knowledge of good and evil they

also coming near the wall which covers

the garden then they have to cover

themselves to hide there let's say their

nakedness they hide the higher part the

hide their mystery let's say okay and be

covered in mystery just as they move

away from the higher tree they can know

they can see less and less the higher

tree just as they you can imagine for

example in the temple you have these

series of veils and as you move out from

the Holy of Holies each veil becomes

more and more opaque as you move towards

the covering that is outside the veil

okay outside the temple so these three

trees now so you can imagine them almost

like one tree as the entrance a second

tree as the second let's say place where

everything is divided and then the top

tree which is the place where everything

comes together

but then there there actually isn't

three trees in the story of Adam and Eve

in the garden there are actually four

trees in the story of Adam and Eve and

the fourth tree is a thorn tree or a

thorn bush it's the idea that trees will

produce thorns okay and so you can

imagine now on the outside of the wall

of the garden outside of the inner holy

place you have these thorns which are to

protect the tree from attack so you have

a world of hostility which is outside

the garden and so the thorns need to be

protected okay so that's let's say the

way that it's presented in Saint Ephrem

the Syrian so you can see it as these

four trees but you could also see it as

one tree you could see this notion that

there's that there is one tree the axis

of the tree is the Tree of Life

you could see the branches of the tree

as the the tree of the knowledge of good

and evil the leaves of the tree as the

fig tree and then the thorns on the tree

are the last protection of the tree as

being the thorn bush and you could also

see the tree as the mountain itself as

paradise itself as you move from the

oneness of the summit on the mountain

and you come down to find multiplicity

and as you come down towards the

wilderness that is down at the bottom

and you you come finally to the the

world of hostility of war of conflict

and then even further than that you

would have the flood you would have the

waters the ocean which surround the the

mountain of paradise surround the

mountain of the world that is the the

image of the cosmos really and so you'll

see if you read Zen Ephraim you're all

you'll also find that this mountain as

it's described by Saint Ephrem he seems

to on purpose gives

descriptions of it which which place it

outside of normal time and space and so

he'll say things like the base of the

mountain of Paradise goes beyond the the

physical ocean view beyond Oceanus which

which surrounds the the known world and

so you have this idea that actually the

entire world as we know it is contained

within this hierarchical structure of

the Garden of Eden you know from the

gate to the Tree of Knowledge to the

Tree of Life okay now this notion of

this hierarchy the tree as this

hierarchy as bringing order to the

potentiality which is further down let's

say in the waters of the of the of the

ocean and now imagine at the top of the

tree you have you can you can kind of

see it let's say the source which is

coming from under the tree if you

imagine the tree really at the top of

the mountain and these four sources like

the four directions which move out from

the the central tree and then go out

into the world and then go all the way

into meeting with the ocean and so just

in terms of understanding normal

cosmology you can understand that fresh

water comes from above fresh water

always moves down okay and so even if

there's a source in the ground you know

that that source is higher than the

ocean okay and so the the fresh water

just like rain falls on the mountain

fresh water moves away from this

hierarchical mountain then moves out

towards the towards the the outer waters

the waters of chaos the salt waters now

and so in that way there's a

relationship between the tree the

hierarchy and this bringing of fresh

water towards or this transforming of of

let's say salt water into fresh water

you