What Does the Tree of Life Symbolize in the Bible? 

Trees symbolize God’s provision, life-giving power, and divine plan for humanity to care for and manage creation according to His design. The spiritual significance of trees in the Bible represents more than life; they tell the story of humanity’s journey through life. The Tree of Life is the summation of the beautiful story God writes for each life.  

Trees in the Bible Represent…

Trees are mentioned throughout the Bible. They speak of…

• Life
• Growth
• Provision
• Beauty
• God’s family

The Tree of Life symbolizes all of these eternal attributes of God’s goodness, power, and plans for humanity. It also reveals His design for our lives. He wants to see us grow into a “mature tree” that reflects His life-giving power, provision, and beauty, all as His son or daughter—a part of His family! 

What Does the Bible Say About Trees?

Genesis 2:9 tells us, “And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”

In Genesis 2:15-17, we read, “Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.’”

From the beginning, trees have played a significant role in life, growth, provision, and family. In the Bible, trees symbolize the meeting place between God and humanity, where blessings flow as part of His family. 

The Tree of Life symbolizes the lavish love and provision He pours out upon His family. And when we become “grafted in” Believers in Messiah, we get to partake of it!  

The Role of Trees in God’s Creation

God intended for us to care for His creation, giving it what it needed to grow and thrive. By partnering with Him in caring for creation, we find joy in our labor, and in return, we are provided for and find fulfillment and purpose. 

Trees symbolize the process of finding identity and purpose. When we partner—as a co-heir with Christ—with God’s process of sowing, harvesting, pruning, and picking fruit, He leads us into our Kingdom destinies! 

The Tree of Life 

First mentioned in Genesis 2, the Tree of Life is associated with eternal life. Its fruit symbolizes the gift of life, and God desired humanity to cherish and care for this life-giving tree.

Proverbs 11:30 echoes this sentiment: “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.”

In the book of Revelation 22:2, the Tree of Life reappears in the City of Jerusalem, surrounded by the River of Life, symbolizing restoration, beauty, and provision: “In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”

• The Tree of Life as a Symbol of Growth and Provision

The Tree of Life was placed “in the midst” of the Garden of Eden, alongside the Tree of Knowledge. This speaks to the choice God gives humanity. Will we partake of the Tree of Life and accept God’s provision to grow into who He created us to be, or will we trade it for “knowledge” that puffs up and fills us with pride, doubting God, His goodness, and His plans for us? 

Trees grow and change with the seasons, much like our own lives. From a small sapling to a mature tree, we develop resilience and strength over time. We need pruning and as we embrace this process rather than fight against it, more good fruit is produced. 

Our experiences shape us, and with each passing year, we gain wisdom, much like a mature tree weathering the storms. 

With each season we choose life—God’s ways—we step further into our Kingdom destinies. 

Trees also provide for us. They produce fruit that gives us “daily bread” to accomplish God’s assignment on our lives for the day, week, month, or season. The Tree of Life in Revelation will yield fruit rapidly and provide healing to the nations, symbolizing peace and unity and pointing back to God’s divine plan of restoration for both creation and humanity. 

• The Tree of Life as a Symbol of Beauty and Family

The Tree of Life was beautiful—“pleasant to the sight”—and was given to those who were made in God’s image, Adam and Eve. In other words, the beauty of eternal life was given to God’s family!  

God’s creation is filled with beauty. Whether adorned with lush leaves in summer or frosted with snow in winter, the various types and shapes of trees captivate us with their beauty. The painter uses trees to symbolize new life and the beauty of each season. And the Author and Perfecter of our faith does the same. 

In Paul’s writing, an olive tree represents God’s family and he used it to illustrate our connection to God’s covenant family in Romans 11:16-21. The branches represent Israel, and the Gentile (the wild olive tree) nations are grafted in so that we would bear fruit pleasing to the Lord. 

This powerful imagery shows that we are God’s family, supported by the holy root of Jesus Christ—who died on a tree, took the curse, and gave us life! 

Galatians 3:13 says, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’)…”

Acts 5:30 says, “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.”

The Tree of Life Symbolizes Jesus—Yeshua Ha’Mashiach! 

Can you see how the Tree of Life symbolizes Jesus? God placed the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden after creation. He called heaven and earth to be a witness of Adam and Eve’s choice, and He calls heaven and earth to be a witness today. 

We have a choice… 

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live…”—Deuteronomy 30:19 (emphasis added)

• Will we choose Jesus—Yeshua Ha’Machiach?
• Will we choose to honor and love the things that God honors and loves?
• Will we choose to sow into God’s plans of restoration of creation and humanity?
• Will we choose to steward creation according to God’s design?

Trees Used to Honor a Memory

Understanding what the Tree of Life symbolizes, it is no wonder trees have a significant role in Jewish culture. They are often planted to remember, respect, and honor a life. 

Like the Tree of Life, when a tree is planted in Jewish culture, it makes a statement…

• “This tree represents the influence of your life, and it will carry on for future generations.”
• “This tree represents that your life will not be forgotten.”
• “This tree represents that your life is a blessing to others.” 
• “This tree represents standing in solidarity with you, even after death.” 

These statements are significant when a tree is planted in memory of a life lost. 

Planting a tree symbolizes the cycle of life. They serve as a visual representation of life, allowing memories to endure beyond death. The act of planting a tree ensures that the legacy of the fallen will continue for generations to come, especially in the Promised Land.

And planting a tree represents that you agree with God’s character, that He is the Giver of Life!