The Tree of Life

The tree of life is both a portrait that was recognizable to ancient ancient readers, but also has its own biblical place. Biblical authors are, you know, they're doing little, they're thrown to Melbos with their Egyptian and Babylonian neighbors as they portray the tree not as a God, but as taking a familiar idea. So when God says eat of the tree of life, he's saying, be in my presence and live life with me. And in doing so, the ingesting of God's life is a powerful image of union.