The Tree of Life

The Tree of Life - biblical history

The Tree of Life is mentioned in Genesis. After God created the Garden of Eden, he/she/they caused lots of trees to grow, both those that are "pleasant to the sight" and "good for food". There were also two very special trees: the Tree of Life (in "the midst of the garden") and the Tree of Knowledge (of good and evil).

Torah scroll

Everyone knows the story about Adam and Eve being tempted to eat from the Tree of Knowledge - and this had a side-effect. Genesis 3:22-23 says:

Adam and Eve being banished from the Garden of Eden

Adam and Eve being banished from the Garden of Eden: 15th Century Italian painting

And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.

So, the Tree of Life confers immortality on those who eat it. Having partaken of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, the Elohim didn't want humanity being immortal as well by eating from the Tree of Life.