[Greek] παράδεισος (paradeisos), [Latin] pardiso: a park, a garden, a paradise, an Eden, a place of future happiness, an enclosed park, a pleasure ground; Lk.23:43, 2 Cor.12:4, Rev.2:7
Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden by Jan Brueghel (1615)
Background Information:
Background history: This term is a loan word from the old Persian language. In the Greek literature, the philosopher Xenophon makes reference to the parks of the Persian king and nobility. Already by 3rd century B.C., it is generally used for a park. Although originally having a secular sense, this term later predominately takes on its more known religious sense. This Persian term is also later adopted into the Hebrew and Aramaic languages. However, it still keeps its secular meaning of garden or park. This term provides the foundation for the garden of God in the creation story.
Old Testament: This term is primarily associated with its religious sense, predominately from Genesis. Eden is the Garden of God (Gen.2:8-10,16). The prince of Tyre at once lived in an ideal place like the Garden of God (Ezek.28:13). The Lord will make the wilderness like Eden (Isa.51:3). Joel warns the people about the eminent destruction of Jerusalem. The ravaged landscape will look like a lush garden compared to the devastation this army leaves behind (Joel 2:3). This term also takes on a secular meaning in a literal and metaphorical ways. King Ahab wanted Naboth’s vineyard for his vegetable garden (1 Kgs.21:2). Shallum repaired the wall of the aqueduct pool near the king’s garden. The enclosed garden represents the fruitful and virginal bride (Song of Songs 4:12).
Jewish expectation of paradise: The Garden (Paradise) story in Gen. 2 becomes the starting point of this Jewish belief system. There is a hope, commonly attested in the Old Testament, of a future time of bliss. This refers to the New Jerusalem, where the fruits of the tree of life, the water and bread of life, the banquet of fellowship with God, and belief in the resurrection occur. Although the Paradise of the first age is identified with the Garden of Eden, the Paradise of the present age exists in hidden form. Jewish thought presents both old and new views of the place receiving the souls of the dead. The older view holds that sheol receives these souls. The newer view holds that Paradise receives these souls. This duality is important for what happened to Jesus between Good Friday and Easter Day.
New Testament: Interestingly, this term occurs only three times in the New Testament. The Paradise of the first age (garden of Eden) is not mentioned. Instead, this term makes reference to an eschatological image of a new creation, the abode of the righteous after death. According to Luke, this hidden Paradise is where the righteous departed souls seek promised fellowship with Jesus. In a rapture into Paradise, Paul is given revelations granted to him. The Book of Revelations state that the awaited Messiah will open up the gates of Paradise.
Scripture:
“Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Lk. 23:43
This is Luke’s understanding that the destiny of the Christian is to be with Jesus. This place is the hidden intermediate state between death and resurrection.
“I was caught up into Paradise and heard ineffable things, which no one may utter.” 2Cor.12:4
Paul was not at liberty to tell the Christians about his experience in Paradise.
“Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. ‘To the victor I will give the right to eat from the tree of life that is the garden of God’.” Rev.2:7
Jesus is the awaited Messiah who will open the gates of heaven. Jesus is already the one who brings back Paradise
Conclusion:
Paradise
I did not realize that Paradise was a Persian term. Everyone knows about the Garden of Eden and the literal sense of a garden in scripture. I was not aware of the metaphorical use of this term in Song of Songs.
I was surprised that the term Paradise is found only three times in the New Testament. It was interesting to discover that there were differing views about the destination of departed souls. The belief in Sheol is no doubt a Hellenistic belief. And Luke presents a differing view of this destination (Paradise). Both Sheol and Paradise were both considered as hidden domains. Both ideas were currently accepted in the New Testament period.
I think most of us are only vaguely aware of what Paradise itself is, but not really exactly sure what this place is all about. I never thought to consider Paradise in three aspects: the Garden of Eden, the present hidden destination, and the Last Paradise in heaven. This makes sense in that this shows what God originally intended to provide for us.