Could Adam and Eve distinguish between right and wrong/ good and evil before they ate of the tree?

Question

It says in the Bible that only after they ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil did their eyes open. That was the first time they even realized they were naked.

It really seems that the tree of the knowledge of good and evil implies that these concepts were brought into the world only after they ate of the tree.

So before that could they know a "right" deed from a "wrong" one. How could they have been doing wrong if they could not know what wrong was. How would "to disobey" register as "wrong".

And if this is the case mankind is blameless?
Or is this interpretation of "good" and "evil" wrong?
Before they ate of the tree they seemed more like small children who could not understand consequence.

Randy G. Ok a child may understand "no". But a parent would be irresponsible if he let things that may harm his children lie around. God put the tree right there in the middle of the garden and he even drew their attention to it by explicitely mentioning that specific tree. That complicates the issue.

Answer 1

It's all very confusing. I think I'm gunna give up for the moment and not boggle my brain for the time being.

Answer 2

This is a good question, it takes some people there whole lives to figure out what is right or wrong to them so why punish Adam and eve when the concept wasn't even there yet. This is another reason why I dont necessarily believe that sinners go to hell, well i don't believe in the word sinner or hell, Who is really to say what is right and what is wrong, a story? a book? or a priest? It doesn't make sense. I do think the interpretation of good and evil is wrong as well as what we "should and shouldn't" do I'm a firm believer is believing what you feel before being influenced with so many things around you.

Answer 3

A small child might not have enough imagination to think up new ways of doing wrong because he doesn't have experience yet, and he certainly doesn't realize that running naked through the yard is offensive, but her certainly knows what the word "no" means irregardless.


This question is getting old. You are playing stupid by creating an artificial difficulty with the biblical story -- which tells me that you cannot come up with any legitimate objections.

Answer 4

They had never done anything Wrong before. They found out it was wrong when they were kicked out of the garden and their immortality taken away. Mankind is held accountable for it's actions, however can recieve forgiveness. Adam and Eve cannot, for they were perfect beings, and not prone to 'mistakes'. What they did, they did with precision and determination. Mankind is not perfect, therefore the price for sin is death. After that, we have paid in full (which renders the dogma of Hell useless) and we have a chance to live again during the ressurection.

Answer 5

The tree itself was just that- a tree. It was the stipulation that God placed upon that tree that gave it the force of causing the man and woman to know before they ate from it that doing so would be in violation of God's express command not to. God wanted them to love and honor Him regardless of the tree, not because of it. The rest is history.

Answer 6

They knew it was forbidden and were told the consequence. However they only knew this. They were as little children. Since Christ died for all sins, we are no longer accountable for the fall of man. There is no more "original sin". Babies are innocent. Baptism is only necessary after one has reached the age of accountability.
Good question, this is an important matter that has been misinterpreted for many years by many faiths.

Answer 7

That question is certainly the quagmire of the whole "Adam and Eve" mythology. If they didn't know wrong from right before they ate from the "tree of knowledge" then how did they know eating from it (disobeying God, since he supposedly told them not to) was wrong?

Answer 8

the bible contains alot of symbolic language, i strongly believe that the "tree" was not a " literal" tree, because a verse mentions that the tree "was desirous" to make one wise
I will not say what i think the "tree" was because it is difficult to explain and it might offend some people.

anyway, to throw some light on your answer, they did know right from wrong, because God told them not to "eat", and he explained the consequences of "eating" from that tree

Answer 9

But the problem is, when a child is told not to do something. Then they can understand that they shouldn't do it, but it makes them want to more, and then when a friend comes along and tells them that their parents are wrong, then the kids want to do the thing more, to prove themselves right and parents wrong right?

Answer 10

well in the quron it says that god told them not eat from the tree. and regardless of whether they knew or didn't know it was a good thing or not, god told them not to. it's pretty much the same concept of telling a child not to do something. they don't know that its a good thing or a bad thing, but they should know that they shouldn't do it.

Answer 11

They were told right and wrong the instant God said don't do this...they took of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil/satan...they didn't eat an apple either....they both had a good ole fashioned romp with satan cause he's such a pretty boy....their sex showed them they were nekid....a result of their sin/transgression of the law.