Read Genesis 2 at Bible Gateway.
The tree of life from the Hebrew root words:
Tree is Strong’s H6086, ates, a concrete noun meaning, “tree, wood, gallows;” from Strong’s H6095 עצה atsah, a primitive root meaning, “to shut.” The 3-letter root is ayin + tsadey + hey.
ayin ע = the eye, thus watch, know, shade
tsadey צ, ץ = the trail, thus a man concealed, journey, chase, hunt
hey ה = man w/ raised arms, thus look, reveal, wonder, worship, breath
The story: That which shades (ayin) a trail (tsadey), i.e., a tree, is as a man wise in revelation (hey); he is a strong and stable source of blessing. The cognate words of counsel, firmness, and spine bear witness to the tree’s as well as the wise man’s strength.
Life is Strong’s H2416 chai, a concrete noun meaning, “life,” from Strong’s H2421 חיה chayah, a primitive root meaning, “to have life.” The 3-letter root is chet + yud + hey:
chet ח = the wall, thus outside, divide, half
yud י = the closed hand, thus work, throw, worship
hey ה = man w/ raised arms, thus look, reveal, wonder, worship, breath
The story: The outside (chet) work (yud) a man does provides food, thus breath (hey) or life, for himself and his family.
I find it interesting that the same word denoting the tree of life, Strong’s H6086 ates, appears in Deu 21:23:
… his body shall not remain overnight on the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day, so that you do not defile the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance; for he who is hanged is accursed of God.
Which is quoted by Paul:
“Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.” Gal 3:13, from Deu 21:23
In other words, the tree of life became the gallows upon which our Savior hung, to provide life for all who receive Him.
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