Where Is the Tree of Life Mentioned in the Bible?
Quick Summary
The Tree of Life appears in three key sections of Scripture: Genesis, Proverbs, and Revelation. In Genesis, it represents God’s gift of eternal life in Eden. In Proverbs, it is a poetic image for wisdom, righteousness, and fulfilled hope. In Revelation, it becomes the restored promise of eternal life in the new creation. Together these passages show the continuity of God’s plan: what was lost in Eden is promised again in Christ.
The Tree of Life in Genesis
The first mention comes at the very heart of the creation story. In Genesis 2:9, God places the tree of life in the garden, alongside the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It is presented as a source of eternal life, sustaining Adam and Eve in God’s presence.
After their disobedience, access to the tree is cut off. Genesis 3:22–24 tells us that God placed cherubim with a flaming sword to guard the way to the tree of life, lest humanity “live forever” in a fallen state. The Genesis account introduces the tree as both promise and loss — a gift that was forfeited but never forgotten.
The Tree of Life in Proverbs
Centuries later, the tree appears again, this time in the wisdom literature. Proverbs uses the image metaphorically, applying it to the flourishing that comes from wisdom and righteousness:
Wisdom itself: “She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her” (Proverbs 3:18).
Righteousness: “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life” (Proverbs 11:30).
Fulfilled desires: “A desire fulfilled is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12).
Healing speech: “A gentle tongue is a tree of life” (Proverbs 15:4).
Here the tree no longer stands in a literal garden but in the moral landscape of daily life. Wisdom, righteousness, and faith all take on the qualities of the tree: sustaining, fruitful, and life-giving.
The Tree of Life in Revelation
The final biblical references are found in Revelation, where John’s vision completes the story begun in Genesis. To the church in Ephesus, Christ promises: “To everyone who conquers, I will give permission to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7).
By the last chapter of the book, the tree reappears in glory:
Revelation 22:2 – The tree of life grows on both sides of the river of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, one for each month, and its leaves are “for the healing of the nations.”
Revelation 22:14 – “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life.”
Revelation 22:19 – A solemn warning is given that anyone who takes away from the words of the prophecy will lose access to the tree of life.
The tree lost in Genesis now reappears in Revelation’s picture of the new creation. It is not just a symbol but the fulfillment of God’s promise: eternal life in the presence of Christ.
The Tree’s Place in the Biblical Story
Taken together, these references form a beautiful arc:
Genesis – The tree is lost because of sin.
Proverbs – The tree is remembered in the pursuit of wisdom and righteousness.
Revelation – The tree is restored through Christ, offered again to all who overcome.
The Bible begins and ends with the tree, showing that God’s intention from the start was to grant His people life. The tree of life reminds us that God’s plan is not thwarted. What was lost is found again in the Lamb.
For a broader look, see the pillar post: The Tree of Life in the Bible: Meaning, Symbolism, and Hope.
Meaning for Today
The tree of life is not simply about paradise past or paradise future. It calls us to live wisely now, to root our lives in God’s presence, and to hope in Christ’s promise of eternal life. To eat of the tree is to share in God’s abundance — a reminder that the life He offers is not temporary but everlasting.
FAQ
Where is the Tree of Life first mentioned in the Bible?
It first appears in Genesis 2:9, planted in the garden of Eden.
How many times is the Tree of Life mentioned in the Bible?
It is mentioned in Genesis (2:9; 3:22, 24), Proverbs (3:18; 11:30; 13:12; 15:4), and Revelation (2:7; 22:2, 14, 19).
Is the Tree of Life literal or symbolic?
In Genesis and Revelation it is presented as a literal tree with deep symbolic meaning. In Proverbs, it is used metaphorically to describe wisdom, righteousness, and fulfilled longing.
What does the Tree of Life represent for Christians?
It represents God’s sustaining presence, wisdom for daily life, and the eternal life promised through Christ.
Sources for Citation
Gordon J. Wenham, Genesis 1–15 (Word Biblical Commentary, 1987).
Tremper Longman III, Proverbs (Baker Commentary on the Old Testament, 2006)
Richard Bauckham, The Theology of the Book of Revelation (Cambridge University Press, 1993)
