tree of knowledge of good and evil: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Religious/Literary, Literary/Figurative
Quick answer
What does “tree of knowledge of good and evil” mean?
A specific tree in the biblical Garden of Eden, the fruit of which God forbade Adam and Eve to eat.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific tree in the biblical Garden of Eden, the fruit of which God forbade Adam and Eve to eat.
A metaphor for forbidden knowledge or wisdom, the pursuit of which leads to a loss of innocence and often negative consequences.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage; both use the standard biblical/literary phrase.
Connotations
Identical religious and metaphorical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, limited to theological, literary, or philosophical discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “tree of knowledge of good and evil” in a Sentence
the tree of knowledge of good and evil (subject/object)refer to/mention/describe the tree of knowledge of good and evileat from the tree of knowledge of good and evila/the tree of knowledge of good and evil stands...Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used, except in a highly metaphorical philosophical discussion about business ethics.
Academic
Used in theology, religious studies, literature, and philosophy to discuss biblical narratives, symbolism, and the ethics of knowledge.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be used in religious education or in a literary allusion.
Technical
No usage in STEM fields. 'Knowledge tree' is a separate technical term in computing/data science.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tree of knowledge of good and evil”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “tree of knowledge of good and evil”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tree of knowledge of good and evil”
- Incorrectly calling it 'the apple tree' (the Bible does not specify the fruit).
- Using it as a synonym for any source of knowledge, missing the crucial 'good and evil' moral component.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the Bible does not specify the type of fruit. The association with an apple came from later artistic and literary tradition.
It would sound very formal and literary. It's best reserved for discussions about religion, philosophy, or literature.
In the biblical story, eating from the tree of knowledge brought moral awareness and mortality, while the tree of life offered immortality. They represent two different types of divine power.
In context, it is sometimes shortened to 'the tree of knowledge' or 'the forbidden tree,' but these lose the specific moral dimension of 'good and evil.'
A specific tree in the biblical Garden of Eden, the fruit of which God forbade Adam and Eve to eat.
Tree of knowledge of good and evil is usually formal, religious/literary, literary/figurative in register.
Tree of knowledge of good and evil: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtriː əv ˈnɒlɪdʒ əv ˌɡʊd ənd ˈiːvəl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtri əv ˈnɑːlɪdʒ əv ˌɡʊd ən ˈiːvəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(one's) tree of knowledge of good and evil (personalised metaphor)”
- “to eat of that tree (to gain perilous knowledge)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: The two main trees in Eden: the Tree of LIFE gives life, the Tree of KNOWLEDGE of GOOD and EVIL gives moral awareness but also death.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE IS A FORBIDDEN FRUIT / GAINING DANGEROUS KNOWLEDGE IS EATING FROM THE FORBIDDEN TREE
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary connotation of the phrase 'tree of knowledge of good and evil' when used metaphorically?