Jan 16

Knowledge in this sense does not mean retaining facts or information, but rather signifies moral discernment. According to Legaspi, the tree of knowledge confers “the capacity to make independent judgments concerning human welfare.” Eating from the tree of knowledge does not make Adam and Eve all knowing or elevate them to the level of God, rather, they  acquire a newfound understanding of the difference between, and even the existence of right and wrong. Acquiring knowledge means acquiring a moral conscience. The significance of eating the forbidden fruit, rather than simply touching or looking, is that eating is an integral part of being human. Until recently, the majority of people’s lives revolved around the production of food. And even now our lives still revolve around the consumption of food. In a similar vein, trees represent nourishment. They provide food for physical nourishment, but also provide intellectual nourishment in this case. They can also be representative of growth and transformation, as Adam and Eve are transformed. Their failure is not only an act of disobedience, but also their first act of independence. They are faced with temptations and must make decisions on their own, signifying their free will. Up until this moment, the ability to pass judgement has been reserved for God and is exhibited repeatedly in Gen 1; “God saw that it was good.” However, now this previously divine ability has been conferred on humanity. Banishing Adam and Eve from Eden is not just a punishment, but also an act of mercy towards them. If they were to eat from the tree of life, then they would be forced to live forever in sin. Adam and Eve are not simply kicked out of paradise, but instead given a chance to redeem their relationship with the Lord.