Did Jesus Redeem Mankind? — Page 49
49 one and the some tree. I think the two trees were not separate but a single and identical plant. But the Bible is very hesitant and undecided on the point, showing the two sometimes as one and at others as two distinct trees. . THE FORBIDDEN TREE. Further, it says: "And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, of every tree of the garden thou mayst freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. " (Genesis, Ch. 2:16-17). . In other words, God planted in the garden of Eden all kinds of trees, with the tree of knowledge in its mid-centre and told Adam (peace be on him) to partake of the fruits thereof except that he was forbidden the tree of knowledge and that if he partook of it, he would die instantly. Continuing, the. Bible mentions Eve having said: "But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die" (Genesis, Ch. 3: 3). i. In short, firstly the statement of the Bible says that God warned Adam against eating of the fruit of the tree of knowledge as otherwise he should die instantly. This is further supported by Eve who confirms that Allah had in fact forbidden them the fruit of that tree and even forbidden their going near it as they would die if they did so. . Now the Satan (the Bible has used the word serpent for. Satan) approaches Adam (peace be on him) and says, in the words of the Bible, "For God doth know that in the day you eat thereof, then your eyes will be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil” (Genesis, Ch. 3:5). i