The Samaritan Understanding of a Heavenly Paradise

The idea that Mount Gerizim, a mountain sacred to the Samaritans, is synonymous with a heavenly paradise might seem implausible at first. However, a closer examination of ancient texts and interpretations provides intriguing insights that support this concept. This post delves into the Samaritan belief in Mount Gerizim as a representation of a heavenly paradise and explores how this idea is reflected in early Jewish and Christian writings.

Genesis and the Concept of Paradise

The Book of Genesis describes the Garden of Eden as a lush, fertile place where God placed the first humans. Here are the relevant passages:

"Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil." (Genesis 2:8-9)

"A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters. The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. (The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin and onyx are also there.) The name of the second river is the Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush. The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east side of Ashur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates." (Genesis 2:10-14)

The term "garden" in the Greek Septuagint (LXX), a translation of the Hebrew Bible, uses the word "paradeisos," derived from the Persian "pardes," meaning a walled garden or park. This indicates a connection to a well-ordered, divine realm.

Philo’s Interpretation

Philo of Alexandria, a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher, provides a fascinating interpretation of paradise in his work "Questions and Answers on Genesis":

"For some say that the tree of life is the earth, for it causes all things to grow for the life of both man and all other things. Wherefore He apportioned a central place to this plant; and the centre of all is the earth. And some say that the tree of life is a name for the seven circles which are in heaven. And some say it is the sun because it is, in a sense, in the midst of the planets and is the cause of the seasons, by which all things are produced. And some have said that the tree of life is the government of the soul."

Philo implies that the paradise could be heavenly, aligning with the idea of the seven celestial spheres. He further elaborates on the source of rivers:

"What is the river that went out from Eden, by which Paradise is watered; and four rivers separated, the Pishon, Gihon, Tigris and Euphrates? For the sources of the Tigris and Euphrates are said to rise in the Armenian mountains. And in that place there is no Paradise, nor are there the two other sources of the river. Unless perhaps Paradise is in some distant place far from our inhabited world, and has a river flowing under the earth, which waters many great veins so that these rising send water to other recipient veins, and so become diffused. And as these are forced by the rush of water, the force which is in them makes its way out to the surface, both in the Armenian mountains and elsewhere."

Philo suggests that the rivers' sources are from a distant, possibly heavenly, paradise, resonating with the Samaritan belief in a celestial Gerizim.

Samaritan Belief in Mount Gerizim

The Samaritans hold Mount Gerizim as their holiest site, believing it to be the original holy place chosen by God. The idea that this sacred mountain could be equated with a heavenly paradise is supported by various texts and interpretations. The mountain's summit is seen as a point of connection between heaven and earth, reflecting the divine garden's characteristics described in Genesis.

The Two Possibilities for the Source of Rivers

Given that the rivers in Genesis have sources in diverse geographical locations such as Ethiopia, Egypt, and Mesopotamia, there are two plausible explanations for their ultimate source:

1. Underground: The rivers might have an underground origin, suggesting a hidden, interconnected water system beneath the earth.
2. Above Ground: Alternatively, the rivers could originate from a heavenly source, implying a divine or celestial paradise from which these waters flow.

Philo’s interpretation leans towards the latter, supporting the idea of a heavenly paradise.

Conclusion

The Samaritan understanding of Mount Gerizim as a heavenly paradise is deeply rooted in ancient texts and interpretations. Philo of Alexandria's writings, along with the description of the Garden of Eden in Genesis, provide substantial evidence supporting this belief. The concept of a celestial source for the world's great rivers aligns with the idea of Gerizim being a divine mountain, bridging the earthly and the heavenly realms. This perspective enriches our understanding of ancient religious beliefs and the profound symbolism attached to sacred sites like Mount Gerizim.