The Garden of Eden was a perfect place for man and woman, created by God as a haven for them. However, there remains the question as to whether or not the Garden of Eden is a real place in this world with exact coordinates. Is it possible that it is real? Where would it be located if it is?
In order to understand this, let us first take a look at how the Bible describes the Garden of Eden and its effects following several different scenarios that occur, as well as what others have to say about the Garden of Eden.
The Garden of Eden According to the Bible
It is interesting to note that the Hebrew term for the Garden of Eden is translated as Gan Eden, which means heaven or paradise in Hebrew.
It was a sinless paradise that enabled Adam and Eve to experience perfect communion with God the Father. In the Garden of Eden, every man and woman was created by God with the desire to live.
Adam received a specific task from God when he was created. The work of Adam consisted of working the ground and keeping the Garden of Eden in order (Genesis 2:15). Adam had a reason for existing besides fellowship with God.
All the trees in the garden were provided for Adam to eat from their fruit. God assigned Adam to complete a task, but he also made provisions for him to accomplish it.
The Bible describes four rivers as the location for the Garden of Eden. It consists of the Euphrates, Tigris (Hiddekel), Pison, and Gihon. In Iraq, there are two famous rivers, the Tigris and Euphrates. According to the Bible, the rivers flowed through Assyria, which today is Iraq.
The exact locations of Gihon and Pison are unknown. Located in the northeast of the Persian Gulf, Gihon is associated with the land of Cush. In other words, the Garden of Eden must be somewhere in Mesopotamia since it has some boundaries.
Translation of Eden’s Actual Location
Science and scholars have used biblical information to pinpoint precisely where the Garden of Eden was located.
In recent years, there has been speculation that the Garden might be located between the fertile crescent in the Middle East and Ethiopia, due to the references to Cush, which is now Ethiopia or the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
In spite of this, no one is certain as to the exact location of the Garden of Eden. Like the Great Flood, many other floods have altered the earth's makeup over the centuries.
According to some sources, there is a possibility that this has led to the exact location of the Euphrates and the Tigris rivers moving, meaning they may now be located in places they were not before the flood.
Due to this change, researchers have had trouble determining precisely where the Garden of Eden is located.
Before sin entered the universe, that is before the Fall of Man, the Bible presents us with what appears to be a perfect place.
The Garden of Eden was no different from any other place on earth in terms of the influence of sin. It appears that major geographic changes occurred between Adam and Moses because the Gihon and Pison rivers have unknown locations.
The Great Flood and the Fall of Man seem to have had major consequences on the Garden of Eden.
Therefore, it is not only the fact that you cannot find the Garden of Eden, it is also the geographical changes to the globe that have also altered the area where the Garden of Eden was located.
Is the Garden Merely a Mythological Fable?
Some people argue that, despite the description of the Garden of Eden provided in the Bible, it is merely a myth. The reason for this is because they believe that there is no archaeological evidence that points to the existence of the Garden of Eden.
Although there is a problem with this idea, the fact still remains that God planted the garden on a specific spot in addition to planting it in general.
Archeological evidence will not be found in the Garden of Eden since Scripture does not mention Adam creating anything in the garden. However, God's Word clearly states where the river is in Genesis.
Perhaps the reason we cannot find the Garden today is because God does not mean for us to find it. After the Fall of Man, God posted cherubim to guard the entrance.
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 (Genesis 3:24).
It is believed that there was once a Garden of Eden, but due to the fall of humanity as well as the Great Flood, things have changed considerably on earth since its creation.
So, the Garden served its purpose for Adam and Eve, but our experience will be in the New Heaven and the New Earth.
The Garden of Eden Exists
Eden was the site of the garden. We might not be able to locate it yet due to the changes on the earth, but it does exist. Further, the prophets mentioned the Garden in Isaiah 51:3, Ezekiel 28:12-13, 31:9, 36:35, and Joel 2:3.
It is also noteworthy that Revelation 22:1-3 mentions the Tree of Life, which is located in the Garden of Eden. Revelation is a reference to the Tree of Life.
Furthermore, this is something that God mentions in the New Testament as well. As we read the Book of Revelation, the end of the Bible mentions Jesus in the Garden of Eden.
As stated earlier, these two promises are a strong reason why the Garden of Eden is present in both the Old and New Testaments. Ultimately, the Bible is the most compelling evidence that the Garden exists because it contains the Word of Truth and the Word of Life.
What Does This Mean?
Are there any places on earth where the Garden of Eden can be found? Despite the fact that many have tried to secure the specific location, nobody has been able to do so. It is certain that paradise lost will become paradise regained and there is no doubt about that.
The time of eternity will be a time of communion with the Creator of the universe, as well as a time of fellowship with the ones who love Him.
Among the many truths that must be revealed about the Garden of Eden, there stands out one truth above all others. Would you be willing to personally witness this truth for yourself?
Regardless of the location of the Tree of Life or whether or not we are successful in finding it, we will have eternity because of salvation found within Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
For further reading:
Did Evil Exist Before Adam and Eve Sinned?
Why Is it Important to View Adam and Eve as Real People?
Why Did God Create the Forbidden Fruit in the First Place?
What Is the Fall of Man? Genesis 3 Explained
How Did Lucifer Fall and Become Satan?
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Glory Dy has been a content creator for more than 10 years. She lives in a quiet suburb with her family and four cats.
