Genesis2:8

1: “From the East”

The word used here is “East” or “eastward.” There are three possible ways to interpret this phrase. 1) obviously the direction of “East.” 2) the word also means “from ancient times, very early, of old.” 3) the third option is the idea of “the origin of things,” because East represents where the sun, which is the source of life and light, comes form.

To make a case for this use of this word to point toward location, i.e. eastward, one has to ask East of what? Or eastward in comparison to what? We have very little physical context for that comparison. To say East in general or as far East as possible actually gives more credence to option #3.

To make the case that this is a reference to time is quite simple: this is a story, our story, and early in the story this enclosure was established. It fits perfectly.

The choice of the word East was purposeful. The word for East was chosen in part due to its relationship to the origin of all things.

Although I think the issue of time is more appropriate for this context than that of location, the concept of origin holds true as well, and the ancient people would have focused on both of them.

2

The word “garden” meant a protected enclosure ringed by a hedge as a barrier. Proof that the garden had entrances and was not wide open on all sides is the fact that angels (Cherubim) were able to easily guard the way to the Tree of Life by being stationed “in front of” the garden. Thus it appears there were gates or entrances into the garden and one of them was the primary entrance. After the Fall, the other entrances were blocked off and only one remained. Why was protection important before the Fall of man into sin? It wasn’t. There was no danger to protect against. However, this was likely God’s way of telling Adam and Eve that He wanted them to stay close to Him and not wander off. If you are like me and have envisioned the garden of Eden as a beautiful place in the middle of a desert, you may wish to reconsider, as I have had to do. I think all of God’s creation was beautiful, lush, fertile and pleasant. The “garden” was not much different from the area that surrounded it. So, as strange as it may sound to us, God made a hedge-ringed enclosure in order to keep man in, not to keep danger out. After man fell into sin, the enclosure was used to keep man out and protect the tree of life.

What if Adam and Eve had not sinned? Do you think it is likely that one of their descendants would have sinned? I think that is a logical opinion. Then the person or persons who sinned would have been expelled and would have suffered spiritual death and eventually, physical death, but those alive at that time who had not sinned would have remained in Eden without suffering any ill consequences. If things had happened that way, then I think the protected enclosure would have served to separate those who had disobeyed God from those who had not done so. I imagine the enclosure to be quite large, capable of sustaining quite a few people. God could always enlarge it if that were needed.