Zone1 Is The Story of Adam and Eve a Metaphor?

[hobelim]

As for the observable scientific basis for Adam and Eve. DNA research shows that all humans are descended from one woman and one man. It's pure math and genealogy. Of course, that Eve and Adam may have lived very far apart both in time and place but that's another story.

Right. Science and history have nothing whatever to do with the story. The fact that there was a talking serpent in the garden shows that they were not the first human beings, a talking serpent being a metaphor for a human archetype in every language, not to mention the fact that the pharaoh wore a serpent on his head, which is particularly relevant to the children of the exodus.

The other trees in Eden represent people, the produce of their minds pleasing to the eye and good to eat, fruitful, beneficial to people and society. This is the subject of the command to be fruitful and multiply. It is not about having many children. Even those without any children at all can do it.

The definition of the Hebrew word for serpent, nachash, is both a noun and an adjective meaning snake, brazen, shiny one, and/or one who practices divination - the stars of the ancient world.

The story is a warning to children about the dangers of losing your sanity for life to the specious lure of cults, secret societies, false religions, political shenanigans, and their leaders, actors and lying frauds who practice sorcery, the magical arts, what we call brainwashing or mind control.

This is the forbidden fruit, deceit. Eat this specious flesh, the flesh of a serpent or anything that crawls on its belly, and you will gain the knowledge of good and evil the hard way. By experience.

Eat the fruit a talking serpent offers and you will surely die, lose your sanity. Happens all the time.

If you don't believe me watch the nachash whip its victims into a political frenzy with brazen lies.

 

[Flash]

The Book of Genesis is neither a history book or a science book.

It tells of the relationship between Man and God.

God gave Man free will. The story of Adam and Eve says that as long as we have free will then there will be no Paradise on earth for us.

 

[onefour1]

The Book of Genesis is neither a history book or a science book.

It tells of the relationship between Man and God.

God gave Man free will. The story of Adam and Eve says that as long as we have free will then there will be no Paradise on earth for us.

Free will is essential for all of God's creatures. It allows them to become good beings in and of themselves. It is the will of God that his creations have free will so that they can choose the good in and of themselves. You cannot become a truly good being with being able to choose good of your own free will. Unfortunately, many beings do not choose the good but choose the evil instead. Those who learn to live the gospel of goodness of their own freewill are truly good beings and are worthy to inherit the kingdom of heaven. But those who choose otherwise will be sent to inferior kingdoms of glory. Those who become sons of Perdition and have committed the unpardonable sin will find themselves in a kingdom without glory where there is weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth.

 

[onefour1]

Adam is Michael who fought in war in heaven. He is the head of the archangels and will also sit on his throne in the last days and give up his keys of priest to Jesus Christ at his second coming. He is also known as the Ancient of Days. Adam being the first man upon the earth and committed the transgression that cause him and his wife Eve to become mortal and were subject to a life of good and evil. They, upon transgressing the commandment of God gained a knowledge of good and evil and we allowed to choose between good and evil. Adam and his wife Eve have lived good life after the fall and have already inherited the kingdom of heaven. Adam was Michael before the foundation this world and fought valiantly in the war in heaven. After committing the fall from heaven and becoming mortal, Adam and His Wife lived a righteous life and are now resurrected beings who have inherited the celestial kingdom of God. Michael now, as the head archangel still works to bring about righteousness upon the earth. The story of Adam and Eve and the story of the war in heaven are true events and are not metaphors.

 

[expat_panama]

... The story of Adam and Eve and the story of the war in heaven are true events and are not metaphors.

For me the hard part is finding specific passages in the Bible that explain what we're looking at.

Nothing comes to my mind in this regard, although that doesn't prove anyone right or wrong. I'd be grateful if u got the time & energy if u could do 2 things. First, share the relevant supporting Biblical passages that led u to this understanding, and (secondly) please be willing to accept my following what the passages say.

 

[Disir]

I don’t know if you all are familiar with Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’ stuff. He passed away a few years ago from cancer but I would periodically post his articles from his website because he was brilliant and had a way of shifting my entire perspective.

In is Covenant and Conversation book he discussed three interesting points from this myth. We have the man blaming the woman who in turn blames the serpent. (That whole accountability thingy.)

One of the things that he mentions is that Rabbi Meir (1st century) translated “skins” as “light” so he made garments of light and clothed them with it. That definitely changes things a bit because they just got hit with mortality. Another thing that he points out is that Adam’s name was ha-Adam which translated to “a man” but as soon as all of this goes down he gives Eve her name and then names himself as Adam. She had previously been known as “woman” and had not been given a name. That introduces personhood. Adam was faced with mortality and would have considered Eve as an extension of himself” but not an equal. Abraham had already been told that what was desired were builders as opposed to buildings like Egyptians and Mesopotamians did. Immortality was gained via children and he couldn’t do that without Eve. This process also changed her status in his eyes. It also explains why they became so child centered.

Another interesting note is that throughout Genesis there are different epithets used that describe this gradual awakening to Adam's understanding of God. Chapter 1 is Elokim and he is the author of Nature. The sages described Elokim also as Justice. Chapters 2 and 3 are Hashem-Elokim and then Chapter 4 is just Hashem. Hashem is God as a person and is compassion. He described the difference between the God of Aristotle as Elokim. Hashem is a person and speaks to that personal relationship with God. It doesn't take a whole lot to acknowledge a divine creator: Elokim. The difference is in Hashem and recognizing Eve as a person. Cool, huh? I miss Rabbi Sacks. He was really awesome.

16 Unto the woman He said: 'I will greatly multiply thy pain and thy travail; in pain thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.'
17 And unto Adam He said: 'Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying: Thou shalt not eat of it; cursed is the ground for thy sake; in toil shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life.
18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field.
19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken; for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.'
20 And the man called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.
21 And HaShem G-d made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins, and clothed them.
22 And HaShem G-d said: 'Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil; and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever.'
23 Therefore HaShem G-d sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he
was taken.
24 So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden the cherubim, and the flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way to the tree of life.

 

[onefour1]

For me the hard part is finding specific passages in the Bible that explain what we're looking at.

Nothing comes to my mind in this regard, although that doesn't prove anyone right or wrong. I'd be grateful if u got the time & energy if u could do 2 things. First, share the relevant supporting Biblical passages that led u to this understanding, and (secondly) please be willing to accept my following what the passages say.

The war in heaven and how it was lead by Michael is spoken of in Revelation 12.

Revelation 12:7-11
7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

The story of Adam and Eve can be found in the Old Testament book of Genesis 1-6.

The Bible doesn't tell us that Adam and Michael are the same being. I leaned that from the revelations given to the Prophet Joseph Smith. Here are references to his revelations along with a reference to Daniel 7. (Dan. 7; D&C 27:11; 107:53–54; 116; 138:38)

 

[expat_panama]

...The Bible doesn't tell us that Adam and Michael are the same being. I leaned that from the revelations given to the Prophet Joseph Smith...

ah, that clarifies it. Thank u for ur time & effort.

 

[emilynghiem]

Lots of people think so.


Adam and Eve are metaphors for you and I


ADAM AND EVE AS METAPHOR

What is Adam and Eve a metaphor of?





The Story of Adam and Eve – A Metaphor

Is Adam and eve is a metaphor for growing up?

Yes, I have found 3 key interpretations.
A. The difference between blind faith and obedience to authority vs rebelling by free will and learning by reason and experience or knowledge of the laws
B. The social disparity between economic classes that evolved from "eating meat" and societies worshipping and elevating man and managing classes as the meat hunter over women and manual field laborers as crop gatherers
C. The shift from "matriarchal to patriarchal" power structures over control of "family lineages and property" tied to marriage laws by feudal systems. *

* (These are posted on older threads that cannot be reposted if they conflict with new zone 1 rules but I will try to copy paste if that helps). Thread 'Three Interpretations of Adam and Eve' Three Interpretations of Adam and Eve DO NOT REPLY to this old post. I will try to copy it here instead.

 

[JustAGuy1]

Adam is Michael who fought in war in heaven. He is the head of the archangels and will also sit on his throne in the last days and give up his keys of priest to Jesus Christ at his second coming. He is also known as the Ancient of Days. Adam being the first man upon the earth and committed the transgression that cause him and his wife Eve to become mortal and were subject to a life of good and evil. They, upon transgressing the commandment of God gained a knowledge of good and evil and we allowed to choose between good and evil. Adam and his wife Eve have lived good life after the fall and have already inherited the kingdom of heaven. Adam was Michael before the foundation this world and fought valiantly in the war in heaven. After committing the fall from heaven and becoming mortal, Adam and His Wife lived a righteous life and are now resurrected beings who have inherited the celestial kingdom of God. Michael now, as the head archangel still works to bring about righteousness upon the earth. The story of Adam and Eve and the story of the war in heaven are true events and are not metaphors.

Nice story, wrong, but nice.