Question on Adam and Eve/Tree of Knowledge Metaphor?

Question

My teacher in my religions class told us that the adam and eve story as been interpreted as a metaphor by some scholars as something I found really interesting.
He said in this metaphor the eve isn't literally offering adam the forbidden fruit but is offering sex, this could be why they have to cover the private areas when god gets angry and why woman is cursed with childbearing pain (because life is created through sex) Anyways....
I am really interested in it and want to know if you've heard about it, what you think of it, I would love further info or facts that could point to this being true, or any good websites. Thank you.

I'm really just asking if you might have further info on this subject and where this myth could've come from. I really don't want to hear the whole genesis story, I already know it, I'm looking for information on the myth I'm speaking of.

Answer 1

thats a good theory and possibly true but it could have also been a sign of the kindness in Eve and it was not allowed by God but this is what the bible says who knows the bible couldve been rewritten so many times that the truth was hidden from the world today

Answer 2

Yes I've heard of that metaphor; however, I've heard of a more interesting one as well.

The story of Adam and Eve, the Garden of Eden, etc. borrowed heavily from Sumerian religion (i.e. the Epic of Gilgamesh). Anyways, The story of Adam and Eve is a metaphor for the advent of agriculture and agrarian societies.

I'll explain. The serpent promised Adam and Eve that they could become Gods. That they could control and manipulate all of God's creations. Adam and Eve were punished by God for eating from the tree of knowledge. Once they acquired that knowledge (agriculture) they were never again allowed into the garden of Eden.

Many believe that, if existed, the Garden of Eden was in Mesopotamia, which is were agriculture first developed. Secondly, the original location, where the Tigris and Euphrates empties into the Persian Gulf, was flooded and is currently underwater. So, the story explains how becoming an agricultural society ensures that early man can never revert back to the easier life as a hunter and gather in the lush plains of the fertile crescent.

Just a thought. I wish I could explain better. It would be way too long.

The story of Adam and Eve is not an historical account. I do not understand how North could say that. The contradictions are numerous.

Answer 3

confident i've got heard of that metaphor; even with the undeniable fact that, i've got heard of a greater exciting one besides. the story of Adam and Eve, the backyard of Eden, etc. borrowed heavily from Sumerian faith (i.e. the Epic of Gilgamesh). anyhow, the story of Adam and Eve is a metaphor for the introduction of agriculture and agrarian societies. i will clarify. The serpent promised Adam and Eve that they'd substitute into Gods. That they'd administration and control all of God's creations. Adam and Eve have been punished by way of God for eating from the tree of information. whilst they won that information (agriculture) they have been by no skill returned allowed into the backyard of Eden. Many have self belief that, if existed, the backyard of Eden grew to become into in Mesopotamia, that's have been agriculture first developed. Secondly, the unique region, the place the Tigris and Euphrates empties into the Persian Gulf, grew to become into flooded and is at the instant underwater. So, the story explains how starting to be an agricultural society ensures that early guy can by no skill revert returned to the better life as a hunter and assemble in the plush plains of the fertile crescent. basically a theory. I want i'd desire to describe greater smart. it may well be way too long. the story of Adam and Eve isn't an historic account. i do no longer understand the way North would desire to declare that. The contradictions are distinctive.

Answer 4

I believe it is a metaphor. But the "apple" has also been called the "fruit of knowledge." Yes, knowledge of sex, but of everything else, too, because God wanted Adam and Eve to live in the pristine garden of their intellectual innocence. Eating the apple represents doubt. Doubt leads to knowldege, which defies innocence in the sense meant by the apple.

Answer 5

it is not a metaphor. but a event that changed everything for mankind.(read genesis 2:9,16,17,genesis 3:1-19) until Jesus came and died for our sins. when Adam and eve ate of the fruit. there eyes where opened. they knew both what is Good and what is evil. there punishment was harsh. when we sin communication with God is broken. however when we confess our sins and ask God for forgiveness he is faithful and just to forgive us. (I john 1:9) he restores us. the reason they covered there Private areas is because they where ashamed of themselves. women are cursed with child bearing pain because she was deceived first and man is cursed with doing hard labor because he choose to listen to woman. thank God we have been redeemed by the blood of the lamb ( Jesus) alot of people reject this as fantasy. but it is indeed fact. I won't miss what God has in store for us. ( Matthew 6:20) there are treasures in heaven for us. to many people make it hard on themselves. there are only two things we need to do in life. Love God and Love one another. all the other rules are made by man. religion is garbage. but a relationship with God is sweet.

Answer 6

There are always unbelievers who do not want to believe some section or another of scripture that is written as a straight forward historical narrative, so they say it is an allegory that means something "deeper". I would take it at face value as a historical account. That's the way it is written.

Answer 7

"The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil" and "Sexual Force or the Winged Dragon," by O. M. Aivanhov, could be of help.

The various trees and their fruit are as types of Being, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil is the awareness of relativity, or the step-away from Oneness choice, which entangles awareness.

You might enjoy Mark Prophet's perspective in "Climb the Highest Mountain."

Genesis 1 describes Man in God's image, male and female, and commands them to be fruitful and multiply. These activities involve a kind of reproductive activity.

Genesis 2:4 and on describes the mistification and further interaction of mankind with Matter, Mater. Adam, or a man formed of earth, is lonely, and a woman, his help meet, is given to him.

Genesis 3 introduces a subtle action, more subtle than any of the God-created beasts of the Edenic field, which Garden is planted (Genesis 2:8) as a mercy for Adam.

After taking of the fruit of the relativity knowing of good and evil, their understanding of their sexuality was such that they covered up their genitalia. This was not due to their previous sexual activity, but to their +/- awareness, as their awareness of their Adamic Genesis 2 condition was thence perceived in the context of relative good and evil.

After that covering of their activity from each other, then they hear the voice of God, which is Oneness, and then they attempt to hide from Omnipresence among the trees of Being.

The ground of Being qua substance is then removed from their direct Oneness, for their (+/-) sake. (All through this devolutionary and entangling process, God is continually providing further opportunities for self-dumbing-down mankind.) God is not "angry" in the human sense of the word. Rather, God separates by a Word of disenfranchisement the ground from Adam, *for his sake,* an act of Love.

The human beings are to experience sorrow and toil as a consequence of their disobedient sowings of iniquity. It is then that Adam first names Woman "Eve," as she will be the mother of all mankind ("a kind of Man").

So, am not too convinced that the "metaphor" about "the eve" per se is faithful to the more profound symbol/meaning of Genesis 2/3 Woman prior to "Eve as mother of all (of a kind) of (post-edenic) man." "The eve" level of state-specificity simply doesn't appear until Genesis 3:20.

In Genesis 3:23-24 the man is sent from out of Eden unto the ground of earth from which he developed. Furthermore, the fiery focused Light/Energy of God, per angels, is placed as Sacred Word, S-Word, sword, at the eastern entrance to the Edenic.

To Keep the Living Word imports the Holy Spirit.

kind regards,

j.

p.s. Would note as worthwhile the profound, warm, and insightful "Expecting Adam," by Martha Beck (a Harvard Ph.D., btw), "The Great Divorce," C. S. Lewis, a wonderful novella, "University of Destruction," David Wheaton, as a sad commentary, "The Jesus Story," Ann Ree Colton, "Extraordinary Knowing," Dr. Elizabeth Mayer, "When Invisible Children Sing," Dr. Huang, "The Reincarnation of Edgar Cayce?", Free and Wilcock, http://www.divinecosmos.com "The Field," Lynne McTaggart, and "Life before Life," Jim Tucker, M.D.

Answer 8

the metaphor could also be interpreted as the tree offering sentience (knowing that you exist and question it)

a step away from innocence.

Answer 9

It could also be a metaphor for freedom of choice and it's consequences.

Answer 10

Hmm... I havnt heard this one...but I dont agree with it.