Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing 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…”
> —Genesis 3:22
Why were Adam and Eve given the fruit of the tree of knowledge but not the tree of life, according to Eric Von Daniken? According to Erich von Däniken’s ancient-astronaut interpretation, the “gods” (the *Elohim*) allowed humans to acquire knowledge and intelligence, but withheld the “tree of life”—symbolizing immortality or eternal life. They did not want humans to become fully equal to them or to live forever, and therefore expelled Adam and Eve before they could gain that power as well. This is von Däniken’s speculative reading of Genesis, not the traditional Christian interpretation. FOLLOW UP QUESTION: Does Zachariah Sitchen have an explantion for it or do the Ancient Alien tv series deal with it?
Yes—**Zecharia Sitchin** offered a broadly similar ancient-astronaut interpretation, although he used different terminology and details.
Sitchin identified the biblical **Elohim** with the **Anunnaki**, extraterrestrial beings whom he believed had genetically modified early humans. In his reading:
- The **“tree of the knowledge of good and evil”** represents the acquisition of advanced intelligence, self-awareness, or knowledge that the Anunnaki initially wanted to restrict.
- The **“tree of life”** represents biological longevity or immortality—possibly connected, in Sitchin’s speculation, with the Anunnaki’s own long lifespans and biological technology.
- Once humans had gained knowledge, the gods feared that humans might also obtain immortality and become their equals. Genesis 3:22—“lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life”—is therefore read as evidence that Adam and Eve were expelled specifically to prevent access to the second power.
Sitchin discussed related ideas in works such as *The 12th Planet*, *The Wars of Gods and Men*, and *The Lost Book of Enki*. However, he did not always present the “tree of life” as a literal alien device; sometimes it functioned more as a symbol of longevity, restricted technology, or divine status.
The television series **Ancient Aliens** has dealt with this theme in episodes concerning the **Garden of Eden, the Anunnaki, forbidden knowledge, genetic engineering, and immortality**. The series generally combines Sitchin’s ideas with those of Erich von Däniken and other speculative writers. Relevant discussions appear in episodes such as **“The Garden of Eden,” “Aliens and the Creation of Man,”** and programs dealing with the **Anunnaki** and the **search for immortality**. Episode titles and numbering can vary by country and streaming service.
Neither Sitchin’s interpretation nor the *Ancient Aliens* version is supported by mainstream biblical scholarship, archaeology, or Assyriology.
FOLLOW UP qUESTION- How do catholic theologians interpret the following: Genesis 3:22—“lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life”—is therefore read as evidence that Adam and Eve were expelled specifically to prevent access to the second power.
Catholic theologians generally read Genesis 3:22 as describing **the consequence of the Fall and God’s judgment**, not as evidence that God feared human beings becoming his equals.
The verse says:
> “Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing 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…”
> —Genesis 3:22
Catholic interpretations commonly include these points:
- **Adam and Eve already possessed a gift of immortality**—often called *preternatural immortality*—before the Fall. They did not need to seize the tree as though it were a magical object; continued access to God’s grace and the tree symbolized their preservation from death.
- After sin, God prevented them from eating from it so that they would not remain **forever in a fallen and alienated condition**. Thus the expulsion is both punishment and, in a sense, mercy.
- “Like one of us, knowing good and evil” does not mean that humans became divine in wisdom or power. They had acquired an illicit, experiential knowledge of evil by disobeying God, but not God’s perfect and righteous knowledge.
- The cherubim guarding the way to the tree symbolize that **human beings cannot regain eternal life by their own power**. Eternal life must ultimately be restored by God.
In the Catholic reading, therefore, the passage does not portray the “gods” as jealous extraterrestrials withholding technology. God is not threatened by humanity. Rather, humanity’s access to immortality is lost because sin has disrupted its relationship with God.
Catholic theology also sees a larger biblical symbolism: the tree of life in Genesis is connected typologically with **Christ’s Cross**, and the restoration of eternal life is fulfilled through Christ. The imagery reappears at the end of the Bible in Revelation, where the redeemed again have access to the tree of life (Revelation 2:7; 22:2, 14). In this sense, what was lost in Eden is restored—not through forbidden knowledge, but through redemption and communion with God.
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