What Does the Bible Say About the Tree of Life?

Written By Mary Carter

Mary is a devoted Bible student who loves sharing her knowledge, inspiring others with faith-filled insights, and deepening spiritual understanding through writing.

The Tree of Life is one of the most mysterious and fascinating symbols in the Bible.

It appears at the very beginning of Scripture, in the Garden of Eden, and then again at the very end, in the New Jerusalem.

But what does this tree represent?

Why was it in the Garden of Eden?

And why does it reappear in the Book of Revelation?

The Bible gives us glimpses into its meaning, showing that it is more than just a tree—it is a powerful symbol of eternal life, wisdom, and God’s ultimate plan for humanity.

Let’s explore what Scripture reveals about the Tree of Life and why it matters.

The Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden

The first mention of the Tree of Life is in Genesis, where God placed it in the Garden of Eden.

Genesis 2:9 says, “The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”

This tree was not just beautiful—it held a special purpose.

It was a source of life, a gift from God to Adam and Eve.

They were free to eat from it and enjoy its blessings.

But alongside it stood another tree—the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

God gave them a simple command: they could eat from any tree in the garden except one.

Genesis 2:16-17 says, “And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.'”

The Tree of Life represented God’s provision and eternal life.

But once sin entered the world, access to the tree was lost.

Banished from the Tree of Life

When Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate from the forbidden tree, everything changed.

Sin entered the world, and with it came death.

See also  What Does the Bible Say About Forgiving Others?

They were no longer worthy to live in the presence of God.

Genesis 3:22-24 describes what happened next:

“And the Lord God said, ‘The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.’ So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.”

This was a heartbreaking moment.

Because of sin, humanity was cut off from the Tree of Life.

Living forever in a sinful state would have been a curse, not a blessing.

God, in His mercy, prevented them from eating its fruit and made a plan to restore what had been lost.

The Tree of Life in Proverbs

The Tree of Life does not only appear in Genesis and Revelation—it is also mentioned in the Book of Proverbs.

Here, it is used as a symbol of wisdom, righteousness, and blessing.

Proverbs 3:18 says, “She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.”

This verse refers to wisdom, comparing it to the Tree of Life.

Wisdom brings life, just as the tree did in the Garden of Eden.

Proverbs 11:30 also says, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.”

Here, the tree is connected to righteousness and the power to bring life to others.

Proverbs 13:12 adds another layer of meaning: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”

This verse speaks about the joy that comes when desires are met.

In each of these verses, the Tree of Life represents something valuable—wisdom, righteousness, and fulfilled hope.

Jesus and the Tree of Life

If the Tree of Life represented eternal life in the Garden of Eden, then Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise.

See also  What Does the Bible Say About a Disrespectful Wife?

Sin separated humanity from God’s presence, but Jesus came to restore what was lost.

John 14:6 says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Just as the Tree of Life was once the source of eternal life, Jesus now offers that life to those who believe in Him.

He is the bridge that reconnects us to God.

Revelation 2:7 confirms this by saying, “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”

Through Jesus, we are once again given access to the Tree of Life.

What was lost in Eden is restored in Him.

The Tree of Life in the New Jerusalem

The last time the Tree of Life appears in Scripture is in the Book of Revelation.

Here, it is no longer hidden or guarded—it is freely available to all who are in God’s kingdom.

Revelation 22:1-2 describes this beautiful scene:

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.”

This is an incredible picture of restoration.

The Tree of Life is no longer in a hidden garden, but in the heart of the New Jerusalem.

Its fruit is abundant, and its leaves bring healing.

No more sin.

No more death.

No more separation from God.

Revelation 22:14 adds one final promise: “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.”

See also  What Does the Bible Say About Free Will?

This is the ultimate reward for those who follow Christ.

Eternal life, complete restoration, and full access to God’s presence.

The Tree of Life and Our Lives Today

The Tree of Life is not just a symbol of the past or the future—it also has meaning for us today.

It reminds us that true life is found in God.

The world offers many things that promise happiness and fulfillment, but only God can give us eternal life.

It also teaches us the importance of wisdom and righteousness.

The book of Proverbs connects the Tree of Life to making wise choices, living righteously, and holding onto hope.

When we follow God’s wisdom, we experience the blessings He intended for us.

Most importantly, the Tree of Life points us to Jesus.

He is the way back to God, the one who restores what was lost in Eden.

By believing in Him, we are given access to the eternal life that God has prepared for His people.

Final Thoughts

The Tree of Life is one of the most powerful symbols in the Bible.

It represents eternal life, God’s provision, and the beauty of His plan for humanity.

It was present in the Garden of Eden but was lost because of sin.

It appears again in the New Jerusalem, where it will bring healing and joy forever.

In the middle of it all, Jesus stands as the fulfillment of the Tree of Life.

Through Him, we receive what Adam and Eve lost.

The question is—will you accept the gift of life He offers?

The Tree of Life is no longer hidden.

Through Christ, it is freely available.

All we have to do is reach out and take it.