Description:
Adam and Eve walk among the animals in the newly created Garden of Eden. Made in the image and likeness of God, they had received the vocation to be His co-regents within creation. In the background, God can be seen seated on His throne, contemplating His work.
Technique: digital painting.
Dimensions: 5.906 x 3,543 px.
Made in the image and likeness of God: According to the account in Genesis 1, Adam and Eve were created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27). They possessed divine characteristics that distinguished them from other living beings, making them leaders of creation and God's representatives on Earth. Their vocations were tied to what God already is, but managed on a smaller scale.
They were called to be fruitful and multiply (Gen 1:28a), generating life through sexual union—while God creates life in an unlimited and sovereign manner. They were to fill the Earth (Gen 1:28a)—just as God manifests His presence throughout the universe. And finally, they were to exercise dominion over the animals (Gen 1:28b)—analogous to God’s rule over all beings, earthly and heavenly.
These characteristics are not limited to the first couple but extend to all humanity (Gen 9:1–7; Ps 8:4–8; Acts 17:24–26). There is a divine imperative that creation be sustained and preserved; therefore, it is our duty to cultivate and keep the Earth (Gen 2:15).
God Enthroned as King and Judge: at the conclusion of His work, God saw it as very good. Then, on the seventh day, He rested. The verb “rest” in Genesis 2:1–3 is שָׁבַת (Heb. Shabat), which “has its meaning related to the act of ceasing some activity”¹—in this case, the creation of the world. However, when the same scene is described in Exodus 20:11, the verb used for rest is נוּחַ (Heb. Nuach). In addition to “rest,” this verb can also be translated as “set down”², and such usage is sometimes applied to God in relation to the sanctuary.
“The temple and the place of the ark of the covenant are called 'resting place' in 1 Chronicles 28:2 and in Psalm 132:7-8 and 13-14, for example. The temple and the ark of the covenant indicate God's dwelling place among the people, His glorious presence, His throne. From His throne, He reigned, judging and atoning for Israel. Thus, 'resting place' is a reference to God as King and Judge.” (NUNES, 2018)3. Thus, in a sense, on the Sabbath of creation God “sat down,” a sign to the first couple that He was the true creator and sustainer of all things—Adam and Eve were His co-regents.
The Garden of Eden: the bible presents Eden as a fertile, well-watered garden. From it flowed a river that divided into four branches: Pison, Gihon, Tigris, and Euphrates (Gen 2:10–14). There was also an abundance of trees, most notably the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and the tree of life (Gen 2:9).
Linguistic studies indicate that the term “Eden” may derive from the Sumerian edinu (plain, steppe) and from an Aramaic cognate associated with fertility and abundance. Moreover, the mention of rivers in the east (Gen 2:8)—especially the Tigris and the Euphrates—strengthens the interpretation that the narrative most likely refers to Mesopotamia, where such waterways indeed flowed and were designated by the same names in ancient records⁴.
Thus, the combined biblical, linguistic, and geographical data suggest that the Garden of Eden refers to a Mesopotamian setting characterized by fertility and abundant water—an evident contrast to the arid environment of Canaan 4.
- NUNES, E. Descanso real – Parte 1. Notícias Adventistas. Set, 18. 2018. https://noticias.adventistas.org/pt/coluna/edson.nunes/descanso-real-parte-1/. Set, 23. 2025.
- SCHÖKEL, L. A. Dicionário Bíblico Hebraico-Português. 6. ed. São Paulo: Paulus, 2014, p. 424.
- NUNES, E. Descanso real – Parte 2. Notícias Adventistas. Set, 18. 2018. https://noticias.adventistas.org/pt/coluna/edson.nunes/descanso-real-parte-2/. Set, 23. 2025.
- BEITZEL, B. J. Novo Atlas da Bíblia : geografia, arqueologia, história. 1. ed. São Paulo: Vida Nova, 2017, p. 88.
