I thought I’d update the thread on how I’m coming along with the study, in case anyone has a helpful comment. I’d be the most appreciative to hear ideas about what “knowing good and evil” means as related to the quote I give below from Gen 3:22 involving God and the quote I give from the study itself. Oh, I have looked at the other link you gave me, to Bullinger, but I haven’t finished it yet. I have to work through the “beast” thing, for example. Thanks for that.I still cannot verify the “shining one” thing via any Hebrew lexicon that I own (TWOT and BDB), but I have devised something that works to replace it. That ancient serpent is Satan (Rev 12:9), and Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14). It was a serpent that deceived Eve, so perhaps that serpent is the ancient serpent meant, and perhaps he was in disguise. It seems especially apropos since in Rev 12 the ancient serpent makes war with the children from a woman (similar to Gen 3:15). I have no real issue with Satan being the tempter in the garden, and it is a traditional Christian interpretation. I found an interesting verse about serpents while poking about:
Isaiah 27:1 On that day the LORD with his cruel and great and strong sword will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisting serpent, and he will kill the dragon that is in the sea.
I have never seen anyone say the tree itself is Satan before. I do agree that plants can signify other things, like how the vineyard of Yahweh Sabaoth is the house of Israel in Isa 5:7. I prefer to stay rooted in the literal meaning, though, and there is a serpent and a tree, two separate things.However, eating of something could be sexual, as in Proverbs 30:20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness. I think that is a description of many sinners, and not just adulteresses. It could just be that the eating represents the decision or action or sin.(from the study)
He was given the title of the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil" because he knew good and evil. He knew good because he once served God; he then knew evil because he committed evil in his rebellion from the Father.
This is an uncomfortable argument for me, because of how it makes God look in Gen 3:22 Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil… Whatever one makes of that tree, it had better not tread upon God. I suppose that leaves me wondering what does it mean to “know good and evil”. Maybe it depends on if you are God or if you are one of his creatures. Good and evil considered together in the context of a tree of life and a tree that leads to death makes me think of:
Deuteronomy 30:19 "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,