Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical narrative, gardens hold significant symbolic and practical importance, serving as settings for divine encounters, metaphors for spiritual truths, and places of sustenance and beauty. The concept of a garden is woven throughout Scripture, from the idyllic beginnings in Genesis to the prophetic visions in Revelation.
The Garden of EdenThe first and most renowned garden in the Bible is the Garden of Eden, described in
Genesis 2-3. This garden is depicted as a paradise created by God, where Adam and Eve lived in perfect harmony with their Creator and creation.
Genesis 2:8-9 states, "And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, where He placed the man He had formed. And out of the ground the LORD God made to grow every tree that is pleasing to the eye and good for food." The Garden of Eden symbolizes the ideal state of humanity's relationship with God, which was disrupted by the Fall.
Gardens as Places of Encounter and ReflectionThroughout the Bible, gardens are often settings for significant spiritual encounters. In the Song of Solomon, the garden is a place of love and intimacy, symbolizing the relationship between God and His people.
Song of Solomon 4:12-15 describes a garden enclosed, a spring sealed, representing purity and devotion.
In the New Testament, the Garden of Gethsemane is a pivotal location where Jesus prayed before His arrest. This garden becomes a place of deep spiritual struggle and submission to the Father's will.
Matthew 26:36 recounts, "Then Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He said to them, 'Sit here while I go over there and pray.'"
Gardens as Metaphors for Spiritual TruthsGardens are frequently used metaphorically in Scripture to convey spiritual truths. In
Isaiah 58:11 , the prophet speaks of the Lord's guidance and provision, saying, "The LORD will always guide you; He will satisfy you in a sun-scorched land and strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Here, the garden represents spiritual vitality and divine blessing.
Jesus also uses garden imagery in His parables, such as the Parable of the Sower (
Matthew 13:1-23), where the condition of the soil represents the receptivity of the human heart to the Word of God.
Gardens in Prophetic VisionsIn prophetic literature, gardens often symbolize restoration and future hope. The prophet Isaiah envisions a time when the desert will bloom and the wilderness will become a fruitful field (
Isaiah 35:1-2). This imagery points to the restoration of creation and the coming of God's kingdom.
The Book of Revelation concludes with a vision of the New Jerusalem, where the river of the water of life flows, and the tree of life stands, echoing the imagery of Eden restored (
Revelation 22:1-2). This ultimate garden represents the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan and the eternal communion between God and His people.
Gardens as Places of Sustenance and BeautyIn addition to their symbolic meanings, gardens in the Bible are practical places of sustenance and beauty. They provide food, shelter, and a setting for community life. The Promised Land is often described as a land of gardens and vineyards, a place of abundance and blessing (
Deuteronomy 8:7-9).
In summary, gardens in the Bible are rich with meaning, serving as symbols of divine-human relationships, spiritual truths, and eschatological hope. They remind believers of God's provision, the beauty of creation, and the promise of restoration.
Topical Bible Verses
Genesis 2:8-10And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
Topicalbible.org
ATS Bible Dictionary
GardensAre often mentioned in Scripture, though in a sense somewhat peculiar; for in the language of the Hebrews, every place where plants and trees were cultivated with greater care than in the open field, was called a garden. Fruit and shade trees, with aromatic shrubs, sometimes constituted the garden; though roses, lilies, and various gardens were used only for table vegetables,Genesis 2:8-10 15:1-211 Kings 21:2Ecclesiastes 2:5,6. They were located if possible beside a river or fountain,Genesis 13:10Numbers 24:6. In other places reservoirs were provided, from which the water was distributed in various ways, as occasion required,Proverbs 21:1 So 4:12-16Isaiah 58:11. Gardens were inclosed by walls, or by hedges of rose bushes, wild pomegranate trees, or to her shrubs, many of which in Palestine have long and sharp thorns,2 Samuel 23:6,7Job 1:10Proverbs 15:19Hosea 2:6. Often, however, they were left unenclosed, and were watched when their fruits began to ripen,Isaiah 1:8Jeremiah 4:16,17. It is still customary in Egypt, Arabia, and Hindostan, to plant a large level tract with melons, cucumbers, etc., and place a small hut or booth on a mound in the center. In this a solitary keeper is stationed, who remains day and night until the fruits are gathered,Job 27:18Isaiah 1:8. Gardens and groves were often furnished with pavilions, seats, etc., and were resorted to for banqueting and mirth,Isaiah 51:3; for retirement and meditation,John 18:1; for devotional purposes,Matthew 26:30John 1:48 18:1,2; and for idolatrous abominations,1 Kings 14:23Isaiah 1:29 65:3:66:17Jeremiah 2:20 3:6. A family tomb was often prepared in a garden,John 19:41.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Mentioned in Scripture, of Eden (
Genesis 2:8, 9); Ahab's garden of herbs (
1 Kings 21:2); the royal garden (
2 Kings 21:18); the royal garden at Susa (
Esther 1:5); the garden of Joseph of Arimathea (
John 19:41); of Gethsemane (
John 18:1).
The "king's garden" mentioned2 Kings 25:4,Nehemiah 3:15, was near the Pool of Siloam.
Gardens were surrounded by hedges of thorns (Isaiah 5:5) or by walls of stone (Proverbs 24:31). "Watch-towers" or "lodges" were also built in them (Isaiah 1:8;Mark 12:1), in which their keepers sat. On account of their retirement they were frequently used as places for secret prayer and communion with God (Genesis 24:63;Matthew 26:30-36;John 1:48;18:1, 2). The dead were sometimes buried in gardens (Genesis 23:19, 20;2 Kings 21:18, 26;1 Samuel 25:1;Mark 15:46;John 19:41). (seePARADISE.)
Strong's Hebrew
1593. gannah -- a garden... 1592, 1593. gannah. 1594 . a garden. Transliteration: gannah Phonetic Spelling:
(gan-naw') Short Definition:
gardens. Word Origin fem.
...5873. En Gannim -- "spring of a garden," two places in Isr.
... NASB Word Usage En-gannim (3). En-gannim. From ayin and the plural of gan; fountain
ofgardens; En-Gannim, a place in Palestine -- En-gannim. see HEBREW ayin....
1588. gan -- an enclosure, garden
... Word Origin from ganan Definition an enclosure, garden NASB Word Usage garden (40),
gardens (2). garden. From ganan; a garden (as fenced) -- garden....
Library
Thou that Dwellest in theGardens, the Companions Hearken to Thy...
... CHAPTER VIII. 13. Thou that dwellest in thegardens, the companions hearken
to thy voice; cause me to hear it. The Bridegroom invites...
The FairyGardens. January 9.
... The FairyGardens. January 9. Of all the blessings which the study of Nature
brings to the patient observer, let none, perhaps, be...
A Fountain ofGardens, a Well of Living Waters, and Streams...
... CHAPTER IV. 15. A fountain ofgardens, a well of Living waters, and streams
flowing strongly from Lebanon. This fountain ofgardens...
February the Twenty-Second the ThreeGardens
... FEBRUARY The Twenty-second THE THREEGARDENS. REVELATION xxii.1-14. The Bible
opens with a garden. It closes with a garden. The first...
The Treasury must Restore Lands,Gardens, and Houses to the...
... Book II. Chapter XXXIX."The Treasury must restore Lands,Gardens, and Houses
to the Churches. "Nor shall the treasury itself, should...
Lands,Gardens, or Houses, but not Actual Produce from Them, are...
... Book II. Chapter XXXVII "Lands,Gardens, or Houses, but not Actual Produce
from them, are to be given back. "And that there may...
A Description of Some Parts of Ancient Jerusalem.
... Beyond this wall, to the left, there was a sort of suburb, containing moregardens
than houses; and towards the outer wall of the city stood some magnificent...
Jerusalem
... one said to his neighbour, 'I found not a hearth to roast my passover,' or 'I found
not a bed to lie on.' In it they do not plant trees, exceptgardens of roses...
The Last Journey to Jerusalem.
... The valley of the Jordan was bright with the freshness of spring, and as they came
near Jericho with its rose-gardens, and orchards, and feathery palms, it...
The Country of Gennesaret.
... "The Rabbins say, Why is it called Gennesar? Because of thegardens of princes.
Those are the great men who havegardens in that place....
Thesaurus
Gardens (14 Occurrences)...Gardens were surrounded by hedges of thorns (Isaiah 5:5) or by walls of stone (Proverbs
24:31).
... Multi-Version Concordance
Gardens (14 Occurrences).
...Olive-gardens (4 Occurrences)
Olive-gardens. Olive-branches, Olive-gardens. Olive-leaf .
Multi-Version Concordance Olive-gardens (4 Occurrences)....
Vine-gardens (41 Occurrences)
Vine-gardens. Vine-garden, Vine-gardens. Vine-growers . Multi-Version
Concordance Vine-gardens (41 Occurrences). Exodus...
Planting (57 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 6:11 And houses full of good things not stored up by you, and places
for storing water which you did not make, and vine-gardens and olive-trees not...
Garden (68 Occurrences)
...Gardens in Biblical times, such as are frequently referred to in Semitic literature,
were usually walled enclosures, as the name indicates (Lamentations 2:6...
Irrigation
... As streams were few in Palestine, water was generally stored up in winter in reservoirs,
and distributed throughgardens in numerous rills, which could easily...
Etam (5 Occurrences)
... north of (1). It seems to have been in the district called Nephtoah (or Netophah),
where were the sources of the water from which Solomon'sgardens and pleasure...
En-gannim (3 Occurrences)
... Fountain ofgardens.... en-gan'-im (`en gannim, "spring ofgardens"): (1) A town in
the territory of Judah, named with Zanoah and Eshtaol (Joshua 15:34)....
Engannim (3 Occurrences)
... Fountain ofgardens.... en-gan'-im (`en gannim, "spring ofgardens"): (1) A town in
the territory of Judah, named with Zanoah and Eshtaol (Joshua 15:34)....
Stored (55 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 6:11 And houses full of good things not stored up by you, and places
for storing water which you did not make, and vine-gardens and olive-trees not...
Resources
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