Sanctuary/Temple in Genesis 1-3: A Reevaluation of the Biblical Evidence
type: CreativeWork
description: This dissertation reevaluates the most significant biblical evidence and theological implications involved in the debate over possible vocabulary pertaining to a sanctuary/temple motif in Gen 1-3. Thus, this study addresses the following research question: Is there evidence for the sanctuary/temple in the creation and Eden narratives, and if so, what are the implications of this evidence? Chapter I introduces the background to the problem by summarizing the most significant scholarly arguments for and against allusions to the sanctuary/temple in Gen 1-3. In addition, this chapter projects particular implications related to the interpretation of the Eden narratives (Gen 2:4b-3:24), the creation account (Gen 1:1-2:4a), and the theology of the sanctuary/temple in the biblical canon. Chapters II-III reexamine the biblical evidence in the Eden narratives of Gen 2-3, specifically the arguments arising from the Hebrew word עֵדֶן in Gen 2:8, the garden as a mountain in Gen 2:10, the river of Eden in Gen 2:10, the Hebrew verbs עָבַד and שָמַר in Gen 2:15, the Hebrew word צֵלָע and the Hebrew verb בָנָה in Gen 2:21-22, the Hebrew participle מִתְהַלֵּךְ in Gen 3:8, the Hebrew word כֻּתֹּנֶת and the Hebrew verb לָבַש in Gen 3:21, the Hebrew word כְּרֻּבִים in Gen 3:24, and the eastern entrance to the garden in Gen 3:24. The discussion leads to the conclusion that the Garden of Eden and its cultic conceptual framework reflect the sanctuary/temple in the heavenly realm. Accordingly, the earthly sanctuary/temple (the wilderness tabernacle/Solomon’s Temple) is not the only type of the heavenly counterpart: the Eden narratives of Gen 2-3 portray in vertical typology an equivalence of functionality (Ezek 28). Chapter IV reveals that the motif of temple building and the creation account of Gen 1:1-2:4a show a corresponding purpose by concluding with rest on the seventh day. This connection indicates that just as God governs from his sanctuary/temple (in the heavens), he governs the ne…
abstract: This dissertation reevaluates the most significant biblical evidence and theological implications involved in the debate over possible vocabulary pertaining to a sanctuary/temple motif in Gen 1-3. Thus, this study addresses the following research question: Is there evidence for the sanctuary/temple in the creation and Eden narratives, and if so, what are the implications of this evidence? Chapter I introduces the background to the problem by summarizing the most significant scholarly arguments for and against allusions to the sanctuary/temple in Gen 1-3. In addition, this chapter projects particular implications related to the interpretation of the Eden narratives (Gen 2:4b-3:24), the creation account (Gen 1:1-2:4a), and the theology of the sanctuary/temple in the biblical canon. Chapters II-III reexamine the biblical evidence in the Eden narratives of Gen 2-3, specifically the arguments arising from the Hebrew word עֵדֶן in Gen 2:8, the garden as a mountain in Gen 2:10, the river of Eden in Gen 2:10, the Hebrew verbs עָבַד and שָמַר in Gen 2:15, the Hebrew word צֵלָע and the Hebrew verb בָנָה in Gen 2:21-22, the Hebrew participle מִתְהַלֵּךְ in Gen 3:8, the Hebrew word כֻּתֹּנֶת and the Hebrew verb לָבַש in Gen 3:21, the Hebrew word כְּרֻּבִים in Gen 3:24, and the eastern entrance to the garden in Gen 3:24. The discussion leads to the conclusion that the Garden of Eden and its cultic conceptual framework reflect the sanctuary/temple in the heavenly realm. Accordingly, the earthly sanctuary/temple (the wilderness tabernacle/Solomon’s Temple) is not the only type of the heavenly counterpart: the Eden narratives of Gen 2-3 portray in vertical typology an equivalence of functionality (Ezek 28). Chapter IV reveals that the motif of temple building and the creation account of Gen 1:1-2:4a show a corresponding purpose by concluding with rest on the seventh day. This connection indicates that just as God governs from his sanctuary/temple (in the heavens), he governs the ne…
author: Penuela Pineda, Jahisber
keywords: Sanctuary, Temple, Genesis, Biblical Studies
date published: 2019-01-01T08:00:00Z
date modified: 2026-07-24T00:54:19Z
provider: Andrews University
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Andrews University