tree of life

noun

1. a tree in the Garden of Eden that yielded food giving everlasting life. Genesis 2:9; 3:22.
2. a tree in the heavenly Jerusalem with leaves for the healing of the nations. Revelation 22:2.
3. arbor vitae.

tree of life

noun

1. Old Testament a tree in the Garden of Eden, the fruit of which had the power of conferring eternal life (Genesis 2:9; 3:22)
2. New Testament a tree in the heavenly Jerusalem, for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:2)

Word History and Origins

Origin of tree of life¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English

Example Sentences

He considers “A Prophet” and “The Tree of Life” — both scored by Desplat — among his favorite films, and the pair immediately hit it off talking about their shared love of the late Quincy Jones.

From Los Angeles Times

The Tree of Life Nursery in San Juan Capistrano has been selling native plants and seeds for nearly 50 years.

From Los Angeles Times

After all, parasites like hematophages are the bedrock of the tree of life, outnumbering free living species by about 3 to 2.

From Salon

We had the Tree of Life shooter in Pittsburgh, killing 11 Jews.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump made his remarks on the sixth anniversary of the Tree of Life shooting, when a right-wing extremist, motivated by hatred of immigrants and Jews, attacked and killed worshipers at a synagogue in Pittsburgh.

From Salon