This Article: (8 Pages)
1) 'Paradise' in the Bible
The English word only occurs 2 or 3 times (depending on the translation) in the whole Bible. This immediately tells us that it is not a major concept. It is not discussed by any prophets or apostles.
In all three occurrences it is a translation of the Greek word paradeisos, which shows us that English has borrowed this word untranslated (via French paradis and Latin paradisus). But the Greeks, in turn, borrowed it untranslated from the Persians.
The Greek word came from the Persian word pairidaêza or 'walled enclosure', which is a compound of pairi - 'around' and -diz 'to create'. Like most words brought into another language, it refers to a specific cultural icon in the original language. An example is 'computer'. It is a specific item and its label travels with it into whatever culture it enters. Another is 'pasta'. This cultural icon of the Persian garden enclosure was so well known in the ancient world it made its way into many ancient languages: Akkadian pardesu, Hebrew pardes, Aramaic pardaysa, and Arabic firdaws.
We must be careful when understanding an ancient word that we don't overlay it with a more modern meaning. The New Testament of the Bible was written while the Greek meaning still contained the reference to the Persian walled garden.
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Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Corinthians 4:5)
This may be one of the most misunderstood passages of the Bible. Paul is notorious for long sentences of connected thoughts, and this is part of a complex wide ranging thought which lasts 2 chapters, and includes what seems opposite advice:
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. (1 Cor. 5:11-13)
As I was thinking to write this article, having just read Psalm 46 as I do each year on that day, on January 25th a Bible was found untouched after a tornado hit Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
We have been given many time periods to prophetic events in the Bible. Many people think it too hard, and do not make an effort to understand them. However, if they were not to be understood, why were they given? And the Bible says the wise shall understand (Daniel 12:10).
In the light of the findings of science, how literally do we take what the scriptures say about the power of the God of the Bible, Yahweh Elohim (literally He who will become Mighty Ones)? Science at its best is a measurement of observable and repeatable phenomenon wrapped up in explanations which abound in analogy. There is no doubt in the benefit of investigating phenomena of the natural world. The surprising thing is that the more we investigate natural phenomena, the more it fits the explanations recorded over 2000 years ago.
The God of Israel is approachable and reasonable. He often speaks directly to his people. The following will seek to understand a passage where he speaks via the prophet Amos which has a few variant translations.
