Man Was Created to Be in Eden and “Reside” in the East
Men were not created and placed just anywhere; they had a purpose and a place to be. That place was in Eden. Not only IN Eden, but on the East Side of it.
Everything in creation had a design and intention that would glorify their Creator. As we can imagine, the LORD does everything for a purpose.
We humans (Adam) were formed for obedience. Within that each was required to be willing and able to rule, to be fruitful, to multiply, to fill the earth, and to subdue it and to tend the garden—the place he was inserted. Each of these job descriptors are listed in chapter one of the Genesis account.
Those charges have not changed, even though we no longer reside “in” the place of our creation.
In the 2nd chapter of Genesis, GOD “had no man to cultivate the ground”. However, GOD had a mist rising from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. 7 Then the Lord GOD formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living person. 8 The Lord GOD planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed.
The phrase “toward the east” (miqedem) can mean “in the east” or “facing east.” The most agreed upon meaning has landed on “the garden being located in the eastern part of the region called Eden”. Regardless of that particular detail, what I am looking for is the usage and contextual relevance for understanding for, “Why the East”?
The language of the Bible and the ancient Israelites employed the word “east” to mean a few things: the source of light, new beginnings, creation, and the Presence of GOD. The sun rises in the east, marking the start of each day, and thus the east became a symbol of hope, renewal, and GODs faithfulness.
It often has a connection to the Garden of Eden as the place of humanity’s origin. In that understanding, it underscores this location’s reference as the cradle of life and the relations with its Establisher.
The reference to the East just became a bit cooler and a lot more interesting, if one desires to “connect more dots”.
The East is frequently linked to holiness and sacred encounters:
The entrance to the Tabernacle and Temple faced east.
GOD’s glory is described as coming from the east in Ezekiel’s vision (Ezekiel 43:2).
The wise men (Magi) came from the east to worship Yeshua, symbolizing revelation and acknowledgement of the “Promise”.
Here, the allusion to the East details more of a struggle since these speak to the Exile(s), Judgment from their Elohim, and the Nation(s) being separated from Him, by sin and disobedience.
After Adam and Eve sinned, cherubim were placed on the east side of the garden to guard the way to the tree of life (Genesis 3:24). Moving eastward in Genesis often symbolizes moving away from GOD’s Presence (e.g., Cain’s exile, people building the Tower of Babel).
Undoubtedly, the East can represent both the place of GOD’s blessing and the boundary of separation due to sin.
It is not so difficult to see, but of we are watching closely, the Eastward connection becomes a direction to watch for GOD’s activity (His glory, His messengers, and His promises often come “from the east”).
This insertion will seem a bit odd, but I have a reason for using it. I have a reference to the “magi”. They were major pieces of the region of Mesopotamia, as the people continued to grow and expand. As I considered Eden (east), I had a curious thought, so I decided to dig in. I wanted to know and understand the term “magi” and where it came from.
Why did GOD want the writer to let us know that the Garden was in East Eden?
Why did He want us to know specifically, that He placed Adam there?
Did GOD not tell us to “get and understanding, as we gain knowledge of Things?” I loosely referred to that Scripture, but I am certain you either know, or you will look it up. …look it up. <wink-wink>. If GOD wants to be found, known and understood, He will always give is ways and things to lead us there.
Moving ahead thousands of years…
The term mag refers to the “wise men” who visited Jesus after His birth, as described in the Gospel of Matthew. Correct? I opted to give both the meanings of the region and eventual tongue of the Israelites.
Here they are:
In the Hebrew meaning, the word for “wise men” or “magicians” is magim or chartummim. The specific term “magi” is not used in the original language (Old Testament), before the attempts at translation/transliteration. The closest I found was the Hebrew equivalent of chacham, meaning “wise man” astrologim—meaning “astrologers.”
In the Aramaic meaning, as used in the Book of Daniel (yep, some of Daniel carries Aramaic sections), the word for “magi” is magi or chakimin, meaning “wise men” or “magicians.”
NOTE: I found that the Aramaic term magi is directly borrowed from the Old Persian word for priest or wise man, and it also refers to astrologers, interpreters of dreams, or learned men.
In the attempts at translation/transliteration in the “New Testament” we find the references:
Matthew 2:1-2, the “magi from the east” are described as wise men, likely astrologers or priests from Persia or Babylon, who interpreted signs and sought spiritual wisdom.
As we found, in both Hebrew and Aramaic contexts, “magi” refers to individuals with knowledge of astronomy, astrology, and spiritual mysteries.
With these particular findings, it is not secret that you and I were made to be more than just humans. Adam and Eve were created in the East of Eden to embark humankind on a journey of a WHOLE LOT of Spiritual Significance. What I’ve learned and still trying to understand is, symbolism is littered neatly throughout the Old Testament. If sought after, all symbolism will lead us further and take us deeper into the Plan of the Creator.
Our individual wills lead each of us towards the new beginnings of the east. There we encounter the GOD Who made us; thus, we find hope, and the Source of Light we need to see clearly His will for us.
Our individual wills will lead each of us towards the GOD encounters (His Presence)—Ezekiel 43:2
Our individual wills will lead each of us towards His Holy hill, known as the sacred space, only He fills. Biblically, the entrances to the tabernacle and temple faced east. They were to be expecting and open to receive Him.
Unfortunately, our individual wills also lead each of us towards separation from Him and exile from the place he made for us to reside. The east can represent the boundary of separation.
REMINDER: The word “east” in both Hebrew and Aramaic points to beginnings, origins, and the place where GOD’s activity often starts. It is a direction of hope, renewal, and divine encounter, but also a reminder of the consequences of separation from GOD, the creator of Adam (Eve) and opened the DoorWay of understanding via the magi, to find restoration and redemption in Yeshua (Jesus), His Son.