Symbolism In Genesis

The Fall of Man Through Symbolism
Symbolism is used to represent the trait or the concept of an object. In Genesis, the author uses symbolism to deliver his message. Adam and Eve face many trials and tribulations throughout the creation, which lead to the downfall of humanity. By using the tree’s forbidden fruit to symbolize knowledge and the serpent as temptation, the author describes how it affected man, and their separation from God.
The forbidden fruit was an essential symbol in the creation, it was used to represent knowledge. The tree was appealing to Adam and Eve, being “ desirable as a good source of wisdom, ” (47) they gave into temptation and ate from it. Their desire for knowledge was a factor in their separation leading them to stray from their morals, and laws. Their curiosity of the fruit drove them to rebel against God, and sin. Eve’s interest grew even deeper, when the shrewd snake convinced her that “[their] eyes will be opened, and [that they] will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (NIV 5:3) For Man wanted to be like God, being created in his likeness, they also wanted to be all knowing. However, this angered God, causing him to banish them from the Garden of Eden, causing Man to separate from the Lord God, for wisdom, for knowledge, and for sin.

Therefore, Man’s physical act of eating the forbidden fruit drew them further from God, creating consequences in result.
The author used the serpent to portray temptation and lust. By asking Adam and Eve if “God really [said]: you shall not eat of any tree of the garden?”(47) he made them question God and his morals, by twisting his words. He tried to deceive them into thinking that the eating of the fruit was justified. His portrayal of lust signifies the the temptation that Man faces today. Being “the shrewdest of all the wild beasts that the Lord God had made,” (47) the serpent successfully deceived them because it was his original intent. The cunning serpent provoked Eve into disobeying God by seducing her into eating the forbidden fruit, causing her to stray from her creator. By introducing temptation into the bible, the author acquaints the reader to sin, and Man’s estrangement from God. He shows the fault of enticement and proves it by sharing the story of the fall of mankind.
The symbolism of the forbidden fruit and the serpent, explained the downfall of humanity and the negative consequences that occurred in result of it.

The forbidden fruit exemplified knowledge and wisdom. Man’s curiosity of the fruit induced consequences, the eating of the fruit drew them further from God. The serpent embodies temptation and lust, with its cunning nature, it was a strong advocate of misdeed. On account of being tempted by the serpent, Adam and Eve stray further from God, setting the basis of sin. The author’s use of symbols were significant because, it helped explain the way they diverged from God. By being curious and coaxed, Adam and Eve caused society to be distant from the Lord

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