3:19 to dust you shall return
The consequences of sin include lifelong toil. This line could be understood as indicating that only death is the release from that curse of toil, or that natural death may be another consequence of sin (compare Rom 5:12). It is unclear whether natural death existed prior to Adam and Eve’s sin—whether in Eden or elsewhere (see note on Gen 3:22; note on 6:3)
Gen 3:22 (NET)
3:22 And the Lord God said, “Now that the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil, he must not be allowed to stretch out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.”
Biblical Studies Press. (2005). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Ge 3:22). Biblical Studies Press.
Note on Gen 3:22 (FSB)
3:22 the man The Hebrew grammar here can be understood as including Eve.
as one of us The plural here refers to more than just the singular God Yahweh—it speaks of the heavenly host or God’s council. See note on v. 5.
the tree of life See note on 2:9.
to know good and evil See v. 5 and note.
lives forever Adam and Eve had to be driven from the garden. To remain in God’s presence and eat of the tree of life would have resulted in them becoming immortal, thus thwarting the penalty for their transgression (2:17). Cut off from God’s presence, immortality was unavailable—they would eventually die
Gen 2:9 note
The wider garden imagery in the ancient Near East helps in understanding the tree of life. The tree of life refers to two concepts: one earthly and the other symbolic of divine life and cosmological wellness. The tree is described as being located in Eden, which is a garden with abundant water and lush vegetation, paradise for those living in agrarian or pastoral settings.
In the ancient Near East, garden imagery was used to describe the abodes of deities, representing luxury and abundance. The divine abode also represented the place where heaven and earth met. The OT often connects trees with divine encounters and sacred geography (21:33; 35:4; Josh 24:26; Judg 4:5; 6:11, 19). The temple of Israel exemplifies this as it was decorated in the fashion of a lush garden (1 Kgs 6–7).
The idea of a divine tree was commemorated structurally through the ancient Near East, such as in the building of ziggurats in Mesopotamia. The ziggurat was believed to be the temple where gods and humans met. Idolatrous worship was associated with trees for the same reasons (Exod 34:13; Deut 12:3; Judg 3:7). It was even common to bury the dead at or near a sacred tree (Gen 35:8; 1 Chr 10:12).
cosmological A theory or worldview concerned with describing the origin and structure of the universe.
ziggurats A large step pyramid with a shrine or temple on top—these structures were built by ancient Mesopotamians.
Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., Whitehead, M. M., Grigoni, M. R., & Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ge 3:19). Lexham Press.
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