1. Eden as a Sacred Space Like the Tabernacle
The Garden of Eden and the Tabernacle share several structural and symbolic features that mark them as sanctified spaces where God’s presence dwells:
- God’s Presence:
- In Eden, God walks and interacts directly with Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:8), suggesting the garden is a place of divine-human communion, akin to a sanctuary.
- In the Tabernacle, God’s presence (the Shekinah) resides in the Holy of Holies, above the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:22). The Tabernacle is designed as a portable dwelling for God’s presence among His people, mirroring Eden’s role as the original place of divine encounter.
- Cosmic Symbolism:
- Eden is depicted as a cosmic center, a paradise where heaven and earth meet. It’s situated at the source of four rivers (Genesis 2:10-14), symbolizing life flowing to the world, and is described with imagery of abundance and order.
- The Tabernacle reflects a microcosm of creation. Its structure (with the Holy of Holies, Holy Place, and outer court) mirrors the cosmos: heaven (Holy of Holies), earth (Holy Place), and the world (outer court). The use of gold, precious stones, and cherubim imagery (Exodus 25:18-20) echoes Eden’s gold and precious stones (Genesis 2:11-12) and the cherubim guarding the garden post-fall (Genesis 3:24).
- Guarded by Cherubim:
- After the fall, Eden is guarded by cherubim with a flaming sword to prevent access to the Tree of Life (Genesis 3:24).
- The Tabernacle features cherubim embroidered on the veil and atop the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 26:31, 25:18-20), symbolizing divine protection and the sanctity of God’s presence. This suggests both spaces are holy and restricted, requiring a mediator (like a priest) for access.
- Orientation Toward the East:
- Eden’s entrance is implied to be on the east, as the cherubim are placed there after the expulsion (Genesis 3:24).
- The Tabernacle’s entrance faces east (Exodus 27:13-16), reinforcing the idea that both are sacred spaces oriented toward divine encounter, with access mediated through specific rituals or roles.
- Cultic Imagery:
- Eden is described as a garden with the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil at its center (Genesis 2:9), suggesting a sacred focal point akin to an altar.
- The Tabernacle contains the menorah (a stylized tree with seven branches, Exodus 25:31-40), which some scholars see as evoking the Tree of Life, and the altar of incense, which parallels the life-giving and worshipful aspects of Eden.
- Tending and Keeping the Garden:
- Genesis 2:15 says Adam is placed in Eden to "work it and keep it" (Hebrew: avad and shamar). These verbs are used elsewhere in the Pentateuch to describe priestly duties in the Tabernacle (e.g., Numbers 3:7-8, 18:5-6 for shamar, meaning to guard or protect, and avad for serving in worship). Adam’s role thus resembles that of a priest guarding and serving in a sacred space.
- Like priests who maintain the sanctity of the Tabernacle, Adam is tasked with preserving Eden’s holiness and order, potentially interceding for creation.
- Intercessor for Mankind:
- Adam’s role may have included leading humanity (represented in him and Eve) toward the Tree of Life, a symbol of eternal communion with God. His failure to uphold this role (through disobedience) results in exile from the garden, akin to a priest failing in his duties and losing access to the sanctuary.
- In the Tabernacle, priests intercede for Israel through sacrifices and offerings (e.g., Leviticus 16, Day of Atonement). Adam’s intended role as an intercessor aligns with this, as he was to mediate God’s life-giving presence to creation.
- Naming and Authority:
- Adam’s naming of the animals (Genesis 2:19-20) and Eve (Genesis 3:20) reflects a God-given authority, akin to a priest’s role in ordering and blessing creation. This mirrors the priestly function of teaching and guiding Israel (Leviticus 10:11).
- Tree of Life as a Symbol of Eternal Life:
- In Eden, the Tree of Life represents access to eternal life and communion with God (Genesis 2:9, 3:22). After the fall, humanity is barred from it, symbolizing the loss of divine intimacy.
- In Christian theology, Christ is seen as the fulfillment of the Tree of Life, restoring access to eternal life through His death and resurrection (John 6:54, Revelation 22:2). The Tree of Life reappears in Revelation’s new creation, where it yields fruit for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:2).
- The Eucharist as the Bread of Eternity:
- The Tabernacle housed the Bread of the Presence (Exodus 25:30), a continual offering before God, symbolizing His sustenance and covenant with Israel. This bread prefigures the Eucharist in Christian theology, where the bread becomes Christ’s body, offering eternal life (John 6:35, 51).
- As I noted, the Eucharist serves as the "bread of eternity," connecting to the Tree of Life’s promise of eternal communion. Just as the Tree of Life was central to Eden, the Eucharist is central to Christian worship, mediating Christ’s life-giving presence.
- The Tabernacle’s Bread of the Presence, eaten by priests (Leviticus 24:5-9), parallels the Eucharist’s role as a sacred meal, accessible through Christ’s priesthood (Hebrews 7:23-27).
- Christ as the True Priest and Tabernacle:
- The New Testament presents Christ as the ultimate high priest (Hebrews 4:14-16) who intercedes for humanity, fulfilling Adam’s failed priestly role. Through His sacrifice, Christ reopens access to the Tree of Life (eternal life), which was blocked in Eden.
- Christ is also described as the true Tabernacle (John 1:14, where "dwelt among us" uses the Greek for "tabernacled"). His incarnation makes Him the new sacred space where God and humanity meet, replacing both Eden and the Tabernacle.
- Eden is the original sanctuary, where Adam, as a priestly figure, was to mediate God’s presence and lead creation to the Tree of Life. His failure results in exile and the loss of eternal life.
- The Tabernacle (and later Temple) serves as a temporary restoration of this sacred space, with priests performing Adam’s intended role through rituals that point to reconciliation with God.
- Christ fulfills both Eden and the Tabernacle. As the new Adam (Romans 5:12-14), He succeeds where Adam failed, interceding perfectly as the high priest. As the new Tabernacle, He embodies God’s presence. The Eucharist, as the "bread of eternity," replaces the Bread of the Presence and the Tree of Life, offering believers participation in Christ’s eternal life.
- Typological Connections: Jewish and Christian traditions often view Eden as a prototype of the Temple. For example, the Jewish scholar Philo and early Church Fathers like Augustine saw Eden as a symbolic sanctuary. The Tabernacle’s imagery (cherubim, gold, eastward orientation) deliberately evokes Eden to remind Israel of their lost paradise and God’s plan to restore it.
- Liturgical Echoes: The Tabernacle’s rituals (sacrifices, incense, bread) find echoes in Eden’s themes of life, worship, and divine provision. The Eucharist extends this, transforming the Tabernacle’s temporary rituals into a permanent sacrament of communion with Christ.
- Blocked Access Restored: As I mentioned, the way to the Tree of Life was blocked (Genesis 3:24), but Christ’s sacrifice removes the barrier (Hebrews 10:19-20, where the veil is torn). The Eucharist is the means by which believers partake in this restored access, eating the "fruit" of Christ’s sacrifice.