The Expulsion from Paradise, also known as the Expulsion from the Garden of Eden, is a pivotal event in the biblical narrative found in the Book of Genesis. This event marks the transition of humanity from a state of innocence and communion with God to a life of hardship and separation due to sin.

Biblical Account

The account of the Expulsion is detailed in Genesis 3. After God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden of Eden, they were given the freedom to eat from any tree except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The serpent, described as more cunning than any beast of the field, tempted Eve by questioning God's command and suggesting that eating the fruit would make them like God, knowing good and evil (Genesis 3:1-5).

Eve, seeing that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, took its fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, Adam, who was with her, and he ate it as well (Genesis 3:6). Their eyes were opened, and they realized they were naked, prompting them to sew fig leaves together to cover themselves (Genesis 3:7).

When God walked in the garden in the cool of the day, Adam and Eve hid themselves. God called out to Adam, who admitted he was afraid because he was naked. God then questioned them about their disobedience. Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent (Genesis 3:8-13).

Divine Judgment

God pronounced judgment upon the serpent, Eve, and Adam. The serpent was cursed above all livestock and wild animals, destined to crawl on its belly and eat dust all its life. God declared enmity between the serpent and the woman, and between their offspring, foretelling that the woman's seed would crush the serpent's head, while the serpent would strike his heel (Genesis 3:14-15).

To the woman, God increased pain in childbearing and established a dynamic where her desire would be for her husband, and he would rule over her (Genesis 3:16). To Adam, God declared that the ground was cursed because of him, and through painful toil, he would eat of it all the days of his life. Thorns and thistles would it bring forth, and by the sweat of his brow, he would eat bread until he returned to the ground, for from it he was taken (Genesis 3:17-19).

The Expulsion

Following these judgments, God made garments of skin for Adam and Eve and clothed them, signifying a covering for their newfound shame (Genesis 3:21). God then said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil. And now, lest he reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever..." (Genesis 3:22). To prevent this, God expelled Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden and placed cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life (Genesis 3:23-24).

Theological Significance

The Expulsion from Paradise is a foundational event that explains the origin of sin and suffering in the world. It underscores the consequences of disobedience to God's commands and the loss of intimate fellowship with the Creator. The promise of the woman's seed crushing the serpent's head is seen as the first messianic prophecy, pointing to the ultimate redemption through Jesus Christ. This event sets the stage for the unfolding narrative of salvation history, where God's plan to restore humanity through a covenant relationship is progressively revealed.