Pronunciation Guide: par-AD-i-sos
Quick Answer: παράδεισος (paradeisos) is the Greek word for “paradise” – originally meaning a walled Persian royal garden. In Scripture, it refers to both the Garden of Eden and the heavenly dwelling place of the righteous. Jesus promised the repentant thief: “Today you will be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
What Does παράδεισος Mean?
Strong’s G3857: παράδεισος fundamentally signifies a “walled enclosure” or “enclosed garden,” borrowed from the ancient Persian pairidaeza. In biblical usage, this profound word encompasses both the original Garden of Eden where humanity first dwelt with יהוה (Yahweh) and the eternal dwelling place of the righteous. The word carries extraordinary theological weight as it bridges the gap between humanity’s lost paradise and our promised restoration. Unlike a simple garden, παράδεισος represents a divinely protected realm where perfect fellowship with the Creator exists. When the Messiah spoke this word to the dying thief, He was promising nothing less than a return to that primordial state of blessing and divine presence that Adam and Eve once enjoyed.
Key Insight: παράδεισος represents both what we lost in Eden and what we regain through the Messiah’s redemptive work.
Where Does παράδεισος Come From?
- Part of Speech: Masculine noun
- Root Words: Persian pairidaeza (pairi = “around” + daeza = “wall”)
- Language Origin: Old Persian → Greek → Hebrew pardes
- Primary Usage: Enclosed garden, royal park, paradise
- Hebrew Equivalents: פַּרְדֵּס (pardes), גַּן (gan – garden)
What Is the Historical and Cultural Context of παράδεισος?
The journey of παράδεισος begins in the royal courts of ancient Persia, where the Achaemenid kings (c. 600 BCE) created magnificent pairidaeza – walled hunting parks and pleasure gardens. These were not mere gardens but carefully designed enclosed spaces featuring flowing water, fruit trees, pavilions, and exotic animals. The Persian word literally meant “walled around” (pairi + daeza), emphasizing protection and separation from the harsh desert climate outside.
From Royal Gardens to Sacred Text
When Xenophon wrote his Anabasis in the 4th century BCE, he introduced this Persian concept to Greek readers, describing the paradeisos as places of extraordinary beauty and royal privilege. The word carried connotations of divine favor, as only kings could afford such elaborate enclosed gardens in arid lands. By the time of the Septuagint translation (3rd-1st century BCE), Jewish translators chose παράδεισος to render both the Hebrew גַּן (garden) in Genesis and the Persian loanword פַּרְדֵּס (pardes) found in Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, and Nehemiah.
Cultural Transformation
The Septuagint’s use of παράδεισος to describe the Garden of Eden transformed the word’s meaning from a royal Persian garden into something far more profound – the primordial dwelling place of humanity with the Divine. This theological development influenced how first-century Jews and early believers understood both their lost heritage and their future hope. When Jesus and the apostles used παράδεισος, their audiences immediately connected it with both the Garden of Eden and the promised restoration of that paradise.
Historical Summary: παράδεισος traveled from Persian royal gardens through Greek literature into Jewish Scripture, becoming the theological bridge between Eden lost and paradise regained.
How Is παράδεισος Used in the Bible?
In the New Testament, παράδεισος appears precisely three times, each occurrence carrying profound theological significance. The word’s usage pattern reveals a progression from earthly garden to heavenly reality. In the Septuagint, it appears 27 times, predominantly translating the Hebrew גַּן (garden) in Genesis 2-3 and occasionally rendering פַּרְדֵּס (pardes) in its three Old Testament appearances.
New Testament Usage Pattern
The three New Testament occurrences create a theological trilogy: Jesus’ promise to the thief (Luke 23:43), Paul’s vision of the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:4), and the promise to overcomers in Revelation (2:7). Each context emphasizes divine presence, eternal blessing, and restored fellowship with יהוה. The consistent use of the definite article (ὁ παράδεισος – “THE paradise”) indicates reference to a specific, well-known paradise – the Eden of Genesis that believers expected to be restored.
Usage Summary: παράδεισος bridges Old Testament Eden with New Testament eschatological hope, representing both prototype and fulfillment of divine-human fellowship.
Cross-References:
- Luke 23:43 – “And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise [παραδείσῳ]’”
- 2 Corinthians 12:4 – “how he was caught up into paradise [παράδεισον] and heard inexpressible words”
- Revelation 2:7 – “To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise [παραδείσῳ] of God”
How Should παράδεισος Be Translated?
Translation Tip: Context determines whether παράδεισος refers to the original Garden of Eden, the intermediate state of the righteous dead, or the final heavenly paradise.
παράδεισος Translation Options:
| Translation | Context | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| “paradise” | Most common usage | Captures both earthly garden and heavenly concepts |
| “garden” | Septuagint Genesis | Emphasizes connection to Eden narrative |
| “park” | Classical Greek | Reflects original Persian royal garden concept |
| “Eden” | Theological contexts | Highlights connection to primordial paradise |
What Does παράδεισος Teach Us About God?
παράδεισος reveals יהוה’s heart as the Divine Gardener who creates spaces of perfect fellowship with His people. The Persian origin of the word, emphasizing “walled enclosure,” teaches us that God’s paradise is not just beautiful but protected – separated from the chaos and corruption of a fallen world. This divine protection reflects God’s faithfulness and His determination to preserve what is holy and pure.
Divine Character Revealed
The progression from earthly paradise to heavenly promise demonstrates God’s redemptive nature. He doesn’t simply judge humanity’s fall from Eden; He promises restoration. The Messiah’s words to the thief show God’s mercy – paradise is not earned but graciously given to those who turn to Him in faith. Paul’s vision of the third heaven paradise reveals God’s transcendence, while Revelation’s promise connects paradise to the tree of life, showing God’s desire for eternal fellowship.
Theological Core: παράδεισος embodies God’s plan to restore the intimate fellowship with humanity that existed in Eden.
How Can I Apply παράδεισος to My Life?
The promise of παράδεισος should fill every believer’s heart with hope and transform how we live today. Like the repentant thief who received Jesus’ promise of paradise, we can find comfort knowing that death is not the end but the doorway to restored fellowship with our Creator. This hope should motivate us to live with eternal perspective, knowing that our present sufferings cannot compare to the paradise that awaits.
Living with παράδεισος hope means cultivating intimacy with יהוה now, creating foretastes of paradise through prayer, worship, and community with fellow believers. Just as the Persian gardens were protected enclosures of beauty in harsh climates, we can create spaces of God’s presence in our daily lives – places where His peace, joy, and love flourish despite external circumstances.
Self-Examination Questions:
- Do I live with the daily expectation of paradise, or am I overly focused on earthly concerns?
- How can I create “paradise moments” of fellowship with God in my current circumstances?
- Does the promise of paradise motivate me to share this hope with others who are lost?
What Words Are Similar to παράδεισος?
| Greek Word | Definition | How It Differs |
|---|---|---|
| κῆπος (kepos) | “garden, vegetable garden” – See G2779 | Ordinary garden without theological significance of paradise |
| οὐρανός (ouranos) | “heaven, sky” – See G3772 | Broader term for heavenly realm; paradise is specific location within heaven |
| βασιλεία (basileia) | “kingdom” – See G932 | Emphasizes rule and authority; paradise emphasizes fellowship and dwelling place |
Did You Know?
- What does παράδεισος mean in modern Greek? It still means “paradise” but also refers to any exceptionally beautiful place or ideal situation.
- How did Xenophon use παράδεισος? He described Persian royal hunting parks as places of incredible beauty with walls, towers, water features, and exotic animals.
- What’s the difference between παράδεισος and οὐρανός? While οὐρανός refers to heaven generally, παράδεισος specifically denotes the garden-like dwelling place of the righteous.
- Why does the Bible use παράδεισος in Luke 23:43? Jesus chose a word His audience would connect with the Garden of Eden, promising the thief a return to humanity’s original blessed state.
- How does παράδεισος relate to the tree of life? Revelation 2:7 specifically locates the tree of life “in the midst of the Paradise of God,” echoing Genesis 2:9.
- What causes separation from paradise today? Sin creates the same barrier that expelled Adam and Eve – only the Messiah’s atoning work can restore access.
- Persian kings planted their paradises with trees from conquered territories – These royal gardens were living displays of imperial power and divine favor, making them perfect metaphors for God’s eternal kingdom.
Remember This
Key Takeaway: παράδεισος is God’s promise that what was lost in Eden will be gloriously restored through the Messiah.
