by jimwalton » Mon Nov 19, 2018 2:01 pm
Yes, that interpretation (the forbidden fruit refers to sex) is completely wrong. The fruit (of the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil) is the ability to decide. The ancients' worldview centered around order and wisdom. The gods were believed to be the center of both. "Knowledge of good and evil" in the ancient world is a legal idiom for the ability to formulate and articulate a judicial decision (Gn. 24.50; 31.24, 29; Dt. 1.39; 1 Ki. 3.9; 22.18). In 2 Sam. 14.17 the phrase means to listen to a case with discernment so as to make a good judgment. In 2 Sam. 19.35; 1 Ki. 3.9; Isa. 7.15-16 it refers to the human capability to be discriminating. Knowing good and evil is a characteristic of God (3.22), but not of children (Dt. 1.39; Isa. 7.15-16), the infirm elderly (2 Sam. 19.35), or the inexperienced (1 Ki. 3.9). By this we know that Adam & Eve weren't ignorant or that God wasn't expecting anything of them of which they weren't capable.
Word studies suggest that this tree is associated with mature wisdom (Gn. 3.6; 1 Kings 3.9). What is forbidden to humans is the ability to decide for themselves what is in their best interests and what is not. These were things they needed to look to God for. God is not trying to keep anything from them. They are capable of making the right choice, God guides them in the right choice and warns them of the consequences of the wrong choice (making themselves the center of order and wisdom, and rejecting God).
So the forbidden fruit has nothing to do with sex. Nothing at all.
Yes, that interpretation (the forbidden fruit refers to sex) is completely wrong. The fruit (of the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil) is the ability to decide. The ancients' worldview centered around order and wisdom. The gods were believed to be the center of both. "Knowledge of good and evil" in the ancient world is a legal idiom for the ability to formulate and articulate a judicial decision (Gn. 24.50; 31.24, 29; Dt. 1.39; 1 Ki. 3.9; 22.18). In 2 Sam. 14.17 the phrase means to listen to a case with discernment so as to make a good judgment. In 2 Sam. 19.35; 1 Ki. 3.9; Isa. 7.15-16 it refers to the human capability to be discriminating. Knowing good and evil is a characteristic of God (3.22), but not of children (Dt. 1.39; Isa. 7.15-16), the infirm elderly (2 Sam. 19.35), or the inexperienced (1 Ki. 3.9). By this we know that Adam & Eve weren't ignorant or that God wasn't expecting anything of them of which they weren't capable.
Word studies suggest that this tree is associated with mature wisdom (Gn. 3.6; 1 Kings 3.9). What is forbidden to humans is the ability to decide for themselves what is in their best interests and what is not. These were things they needed to look to God for. God is not trying to keep anything from them. They are capable of making the right choice, God guides them in the right choice and warns them of the consequences of the wrong choice (making themselves the center of order and wisdom, and rejecting God).
So the forbidden fruit has [i]nothing[/i] to do with sex. Nothing at all.