Answers from Genesis - Part 4

We continue exploring the book of Genesis and the common questions asked about it. Here are the answers as we best understand them in light of the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ..

We continue exploring the book of Genesis and the common questions asked about it. Here are the answers as we best understand them in light of the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ..

Where is the Garden of EdenThe land in which the Lord planted a garden for Adam to live in (Genesis 2:15). It was located at the branching of 4 rivers: the Euphrates, the Hiddekel (the Tigris), the Pishon, and the Gihon (Genesis 2:8-14). It was also the location of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and the tree of life (Genesis 2:16). today?

No one knows for sure, because it was located in a pre-Flood landscape, but the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. leaves some geographical clues about where it existed.

The BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. states the Garden of EdenThe land in which the Lord planted a garden for Adam to live in (Genesis 2:15). It was located at the branching of 4 rivers: the Euphrates, the Hiddekel (the Tigris), the Pishon, and the Gihon (Genesis 2:8-14). It was also the location of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and the tree of life (Genesis 2:16). was situated where four rivers branched out (Genesis 2:10-14 [10] And a river went out of EdenThe land in which the Lord planted a garden for Adam to live in (Genesis 2:15). It was located at the branching of 4 rivers: the Euphrates, the Hiddekel (the Tigris), the Pishon, and the Gihon (Genesis 2:8-14). It was also the location of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and the tree of life (Genesis 2:16). to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.
[11] The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;
[12] And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone.
[13] And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia.
[14] And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.

See All...). Two of the rivers mentioned in the Garden of EdenThe land in which the Lord planted a garden for Adam to live in (Genesis 2:15). It was located at the branching of 4 rivers: the Euphrates, the Hiddekel (the Tigris), the Pishon, and the Gihon (Genesis 2:8-14). It was also the location of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and the tree of life (Genesis 2:16). are still known today—the Hiddekel (the Tigris) and the Euphrates (Genesis 2:14And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.
See All...). The other two rivers, the Pishon and the Gihon, are not readily identified.

It is possible, though, that two great dry river beds revealed in that area by satellite imagery could turn out to be these two ancient rivers—the Pishon and the Gihon (see Smithsonian , "Has the Garden of EdenThe land in which the Lord planted a garden for Adam to live in (Genesis 2:15). It was located at the branching of 4 rivers: the Euphrates, the Hiddekel (the Tigris), the Pishon, and the Gihon (Genesis 2:8-14). It was also the location of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and the tree of life (Genesis 2:16). Been Located at Last?" Vol. 18, 1987). It may be that the Garden of EdenThe land in which the Lord planted a garden for Adam to live in (Genesis 2:15). It was located at the branching of 4 rivers: the Euphrates, the Hiddekel (the Tigris), the Pishon, and the Gihon (Genesis 2:8-14). It was also the location of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and the tree of life (Genesis 2:16). was located close to where the Tigris and the Euphrates converge and empty their waters, in the northern tip of the Persian Gulf.

An alternative view has more recently been presented by archaeologist DavidKing of Israel, killed the giant Goliath with a sling and stones, a man after God's own heart, only turned from God in the matter of Uriah the Hittite (1 Kings 15:5), had an affair with Bathsheba, Messiah would come from line of David, main author of Psalms and highly musical. Rohl in his book Legend: The Genesis of Civilisation (1998), as well as in a TV documentary on The Learning Channel, In Search of EdenThe land in which the Lord planted a garden for Adam to live in (Genesis 2:15). It was located at the branching of 4 rivers: the Euphrates, the Hiddekel (the Tigris), the Pishon, and the Gihon (Genesis 2:8-14). It was also the location of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and the tree of life (Genesis 2:16). (2002). He proposes that the Garden of EdenThe land in which the Lord planted a garden for Adam to live in (Genesis 2:15). It was located at the branching of 4 rivers: the Euphrates, the Hiddekel (the Tigris), the Pishon, and the Gihon (Genesis 2:8-14). It was also the location of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and the tree of life (Genesis 2:16). could have been situated near the headwaters of the Tigris and the Euphrates—more specifically in northwest Iran. He makes a plausible argument based on linguistic and historical evidence. Yet for now the matter remains one of conjecture.

It's interesting to read the legends that grew up in various cultures about the Garden of EdenThe land in which the Lord planted a garden for Adam to live in (Genesis 2:15). It was located at the branching of 4 rivers: the Euphrates, the Hiddekel (the Tigris), the Pishon, and the Gihon (Genesis 2:8-14). It was also the location of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and the tree of life (Genesis 2:16).. The Sumerians, who lived in the southern region of Mesopotamia (which means land between the rivers), believed their origin was in the land of Dilmun, a paradise where all the animals were tame and neither sickness nor death existed. They wrote, "It is a pure, clean and bright place ... where the lion does not kill, nor does the wolf devour the sheep" (Samuel Kramer, History Begins in Sumer, 1974, p. 228).

The Babylonians called this paradise Eridu, where "Adapa" (the Babylonian Adam) lived. They said he was the seed of mankind, but later offended the gods by obtaining secret knowledge and was made mortal, thus bringing sickness upon the people. They wrote, "Near Eridu was a garden, in which was a mysterious Sacred Tree, a Tree of Life, planted by the gods ... protected by guardian spirits, and no man enters" ( Halley's BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. Handbook, 1965, p. 66).

Archaeological evidence shows the entire area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers to have been significantly populated from the beginning of civilization, and it is the region where the most ancient forms of written script—pictographic and cuneiform—have been found.

In any case, it's probably impossible to know just where the Garden of EdenThe land in which the Lord planted a garden for Adam to live in (Genesis 2:15). It was located at the branching of 4 rivers: the Euphrates, the Hiddekel (the Tigris), the Pishon, and the Gihon (Genesis 2:8-14). It was also the location of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and the tree of life (Genesis 2:16). was, despite the clues we have. It couldn't be found by archaeology even if one knew the vicinity in which to look, as there would be no ruins to excavate—civilization having developed after man's expulsion from EdenThe land in which the Lord planted a garden for Adam to live in (Genesis 2:15). It was located at the branching of 4 rivers: the Euphrates, the Hiddekel (the Tigris), the Pishon, and the Gihon (Genesis 2:8-14). It was also the location of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and the tree of life (Genesis 2:16)..

Furthermore, the garden was part of the pre-Flood world that was completely covered with water and destroyed during the great Flood. No recognizable remains of the Garden of EdenThe land in which the Lord planted a garden for Adam to live in (Genesis 2:15). It was located at the branching of 4 rivers: the Euphrates, the Hiddekel (the Tigris), the Pishon, and the Gihon (Genesis 2:8-14). It was also the location of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and the tree of life (Genesis 2:16). would have survived by the time Noah, his family and the animals disembarked and began to populate the newly transformed terrain.

Still, in giving us indications of its whereabouts, God assures us that this paradise was a real place—where real history happened.

The BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. says, "EnochThe firstborn son of Cain; a city in Nod named after Cain's firstborn son (Genesis 4:17-18). walked with God; and he was not, for God took him" (Genesis 5:24And EnochThe firstborn son of Cain; a city in Nod named after Cain's firstborn son (Genesis 4:17-18). walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
See All...). What happened to EnochThe firstborn son of Cain; a city in Nod named after Cain's firstborn son (Genesis 4:17-18).?

Some erroneously jump to the conclusion that EnochThe firstborn son of Cain; a city in Nod named after Cain's firstborn son (Genesis 4:17-18). was taken up into heaven, but notice the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. nowhere says this. It simply says that God "took him." It does not specify where he was taken.

Jesus Christ later stated in the GospelThe good news of God's everlasting kingdom to be established on earth after Christ's return and how we may be a part of that kingdom. This message was central to the teaching of Jesus Christ and the apostles. The term is used about 100 times in the New Testament . of John that "ScriptureThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). cannot be broken" (10:35). One of the points He was making was that one passage of the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. cannot contradict another passage.

This same GospelThe good news of God's everlasting kingdom to be established on earth after Christ's return and how we may be a part of that kingdom. This message was central to the teaching of Jesus Christ and the apostles. The term is used about 100 times in the New Testament . of John reveals a startling fact very pertinent to this matter: " No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven , that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven" (John 3:13And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
See All..., emphasis added throughout).

Clearly, Jesus Christ was the only human being who had ascended into heaven. The phrase "who is in heaven" lets us know that this was written by the apostle John after Christ's return to heaven. So even as late as this statement, no human being—and that includes EnochThe firstborn son of Cain; a city in Nod named after Cain's firstborn son (Genesis 4:17-18).—had ascended into heaven.

We later read about EnochThe firstborn son of Cain; a city in Nod named after Cain's firstborn son (Genesis 4:17-18).'s fate in Hebrews 11:5By faith EnochThe firstborn son of Cain; a city in Nod named after Cain's firstborn son (Genesis 4:17-18). was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
See All...: "By faith EnochThe firstborn son of Cain; a city in Nod named after Cain's firstborn son (Genesis 4:17-18). was taken away so that he did not see death, 'and was not found, because God had taken him'; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God." The word rendered "taken" can also mean "transferred elsewhere." And the New American Standard BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. says this was done "so that he would not see death"—a better translation than "did not," since we know from the same chapter of Hebrews that he died.

Notice in verse 13 the summary given of all of the men and women of faith listed here, including EnochThe firstborn son of Cain; a city in Nod named after Cain's firstborn son (Genesis 4:17-18).: " These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth" (Hebrews 11:13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
See All...). So EnochThe firstborn son of Cain; a city in Nod named after Cain's firstborn son (Genesis 4:17-18). definitely died as well as all the rest.

How then can it be that EnochThe firstborn son of Cain; a city in Nod named after Cain's firstborn son (Genesis 4:17-18). was transferred elsewhere so he wouldn't see death? God doesn't give us all the details of what happened, but a few scenarios have been proposed that do not conflict with the fact that EnochThe firstborn son of Cain; a city in Nod named after Cain's firstborn son (Genesis 4:17-18). died as the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. says.

It may be that God transported EnochThe firstborn son of Cain; a city in Nod named after Cain's firstborn son (Genesis 4:17-18). elsewhere to keep him from being killed at a certain time—perhaps protecting him from martyrdom at the hands of angry persecutors who didn't like his announcement of coming divine judgment (see Jude 14-16). God likewise supernaturally transported Elijah and Philip to other places on earth (see 2 Kings 2:11And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
See All...; Acts 8:39And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
See All...).

On the other hand, we should observe that EnochThe firstborn son of Cain; a city in Nod named after Cain's firstborn son (Genesis 4:17-18). died young for his time—at age 365 while those before and after him lived into their 800s and 900s. Because of this, some speculate that God "took him" from life prematurely so that he would not have to live out his remaining centuries in a miserable world (compare Isaiah 57:1-2 [1] The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.
[2] He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.

See All...). His next moment of consciousness will be the resurrection. In this case, "so that he would not see death" would refer to his not having to experience the process of dying—his life ending instantly.

Still others, putting the likelihood of EnochThe firstborn son of Cain; a city in Nod named after Cain's firstborn son (Genesis 4:17-18). experiencing persecution together with his early death, have concluded that EnochThe firstborn son of Cain; a city in Nod named after Cain's firstborn son (Genesis 4:17-18). was murdered—martyred for his preaching. EnochThe firstborn son of Cain; a city in Nod named after Cain's firstborn son (Genesis 4:17-18). being taken and not found would then refer to God removing his body and burying it—as happened with Moses (Deuteronomy 34:5-6 [5] So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of MoabAn ancient nation bordered by Rueben in the North, Edom in the south, and the Dead Sea to the west and the desert to the east; the descendants of the firstborn son of Lot and his eldest daughter (Genesis 19:30-37)., according to the word of the LORD.
[6] And he buried him in a valley in the land of MoabAn ancient nation bordered by Rueben in the North, Edom in the south, and the Dead Sea to the west and the desert to the east; the descendants of the firstborn son of Lot and his eldest daughter (Genesis 19:30-37)., over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.

See All...). It is even proposed that the murderer was CainFirstborn son of Adam and Eve (Genesis 4:1), he was a farmer, or tiller of the ground. He committed the first recorded murder when he killed his younger brother, Abel (Genesis 4:8). After the murder of his brother, Cain settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.'s descendant LamechSon of Methushael, fifth in the line of Cain. He is the first polygamist mentioned in scripture (Genesis 4:19)., who killed a young man (Genesis 4:23-24 [23] And LamechSon of Methushael, fifth in the line of Cain. He is the first polygamist mentioned in scripture (Genesis 4:19). said unto his wives, AdahThe first of two wives of Lamech. The mother of Jabal and Jubal (Genesis 4:19-21). and ZillahThe second of two wives of Lamech; the mother of Tubal-Cain (Genesis 4:19-22)., Hear my voice; ye wives of LamechSon of Methushael, fifth in the line of Cain. He is the first polygamist mentioned in scripture (Genesis 4:19)., hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.
[24] If CainFirstborn son of Adam and Eve (Genesis 4:1), he was a farmer, or tiller of the ground. He committed the first recorded murder when he killed his younger brother, Abel (Genesis 4:8). After the murder of his brother, Cain settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. shall be avenged sevenfold, truly LamechSon of Methushael, fifth in the line of Cain. He is the first polygamist mentioned in scripture (Genesis 4:19). seventy and sevenfold.

See All...)—but there is no way to know if this was EnochThe firstborn son of Cain; a city in Nod named after Cain's firstborn son (Genesis 4:17-18).. In this case, EnochThe firstborn son of Cain; a city in Nod named after Cain's firstborn son (Genesis 4:17-18). being taken or transferred so that he would not see death is taken as separate matter—that of him being spiritually converted, transferred from the world's ways to God's way of living, so that he would not see ultimate death in the lake of fire (compare Colossians 1:13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
See All...; John 8:51Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
See All...).

Again, we don't have enough details to know exactly what is intended. But we do know that EnochThe firstborn son of Cain; a city in Nod named after Cain's firstborn son (Genesis 4:17-18). did not skip death and go to heaven. He died, and no human being has ascended to heaven except Jesus Christ. To learn more, send for or download our free booklet What Happens After Death? VT