Apple vs fig

[Brenda Creech]

I don't think we'll ever definitely know, however, I do think there's a strong possibility it was actually a fig!

Several others believe it was a fig also. It is one of those mysteries God isn't ready to reveal. And, as others have said, it really doesn't matter, the point is the sin of disobedience. I don't even know how the assumption that it was an apple got started!

[kljrox]

I was always told it was an apple, except the time I was told that the actual real sin was that Eve slept with Satan and that’s where Cain came from. Otherwise it was always an apple. Maybe that’s why apples are so delicious?

That may be why apples are so delicious! I bet the majority of people who answer this question will say they grew up believing it was an apple. Oh my, to be told Eve slept with Satan must have been a shock!

Am I the only one who was told this? I was maybe 10 or 12, and it was a discussion between and my mom and her friend that they had in the car where I was also present. My mom attends what I describe as ultra-conservative (not quite Amish/Mennonite/Plain) but pretty close to it. I was like what. I think I might’ve read the passage once in an old KJV bible but I’ve NEVER heard it again.

I have always heard it was an apple growing up, but I also seem to remember others speculating about it possibly being a fig. I never had heard the theory of Eve having sex with Lucifer or it being a grain of wheat that she ate....until now. This is a fun discussion.

[Kenesha Latoya Fowler]

I was always told it was an apple, except the time I was told that the actual real sin was that Eve slept with Satan and that’s where Cain came from. Otherwise it was always an apple. Maybe that’s why apples are so delicious?

That may be why apples are so delicious! I bet the majority of people who answer this question will say they grew up believing it was an apple. Oh my, to be told Eve slept with Satan must have been a shock!

Am I the only one who was told this? I was maybe 10 or 12, and it was a discussion between and my mom and her friend that they had in the car where I was also present. My mom attends what I describe as ultra-conservative (not quite Amish/Mennonite/Plain) but pretty close to it. I was like what. I think I might’ve read the passage once in an old KJV bible but I’ve NEVER heard it again.

Actually, I have heard that the sin involved sexual relations, and that Cain might be Satan's son. The stories we tell, eh? And I was surprised to read about the figue. I didn't make any connection with it being mentioned in the NT though. Honestly, I'm not sure it matters much what fruit they ate, just that they were disobedient.

[Alice Festo]

The authors perspective of the fruit being a fig is feasible based on the fact that a fig tree is actually mentioned in the Bible. I believe the myth of an apple came from somewhere too based on this, I will agree that it is difficult to determine the actual fruit.

[Brenda Creech]

That may be why apples are so delicious! I bet the majority of people who answer this question will say they grew up believing it was an apple. Oh my, to be told Eve slept with Satan must have been a shock!

Am I the only one who was told this? I was maybe 10 or 12, and it was a discussion between and my mom and her friend that they had in the car where I was also present. My mom attends what I describe as ultra-conservative (not quite Amish/Mennonite/Plain) but pretty close to it. I was like what. I think I might’ve read the passage once in an old KJV bible but I’ve NEVER heard it again.

I have always heard it was an apple growing up, but I also seem to remember others speculating about it possibly being a fig. I never had heard the theory of Eve having sex with Lucifer or it being a grain of wheat that she ate....until now. This is a fun discussion.

I think it is a fun discussion too! Just hearing what everyone else grew up thinking. I'm enjoying everyone's answers!

[Brenda Creech]

That may be why apples are so delicious! I bet the majority of people who answer this question will say they grew up believing it was an apple. Oh my, to be told Eve slept with Satan must have been a shock!

Am I the only one who was told this? I was maybe 10 or 12, and it was a discussion between and my mom and her friend that they had in the car where I was also present. My mom attends what I describe as ultra-conservative (not quite Amish/Mennonite/Plain) but pretty close to it. I was like what. I think I might’ve read the passage once in an old KJV bible but I’ve NEVER heard it again.

Actually, I have heard that the sin involved sexual relations, and that Cain might be Satan's son. The stories we tell, eh? And I was surprised to read about the figue. I didn't make any connection with it being mentioned in the NT though. Honestly, I'm not sure it matters much what fruit they ate, just that they were disobedient.

That's true, it doesn't really matter what the fruit was, it's just fun to speculate! I had never heard that about Eve having sexual relations with Satan, and that Cain might be his son. That is two now that heard that, that's interesting.

[Brenda Creech]

The authors perspective of the fruit being a fig is feasible based on the fact that a fig tree is actually mentioned in the Bible. I believe the myth of an apple came from somewhere too based on this, I will agree that it is difficult to determine the actual fruit.

Yes, a fig tree is mentioned in both the Old and New Testament. And when it is mentioned it is always in a negative way - as being cursed or being barren of fruit. Whether or not any of that relates back to the Garden of Eden or not we will never know!

[mruhland16]

This is such a interesting idea to think about, what I came to terms with is that lots of things in the Bible are parables and metaphors so it very much could be a fig and have some other significance or an apple and have no other relevance.

[Ivana Tomaš]

I don't think it really matters that much which fruit it is. Although it is generally accepted that it is an apple, so it is therefore interesting to think at all that it is a fig.

[Ivana Tomaš]

I was always told it was an apple, except the time I was told that the actual real sin was that Eve slept with Satan and that’s where Cain came from. Otherwise it was always an apple. Maybe that’s why apples are so delicious?

It is interesting how many theories actually exist around true sin. But I haven't heard this with Satan and Eve before
:O

[Ivana Tomaš]

Interesting question. I also remember learning it was an apple.

I think most people grew up on that fact. Me too. I don’t remember a fig in this context other than a fig leaf, or was it a fig leaf? : D

[Leen282]

Interesting question. I also remember learning it was an apple.

I think most people grew up on that fact. Me too. I don’t remember a fig in this context other than a fig leaf, or was it a fig leaf? : D

Indeed, a fig leave to cover their nudity. This brings back memories from Catholic school .

[Timothy Rucinski]

It really doesn't matter what kind of fruit it was. It could have just as easily been a nut. It's a mythical story designed to show what happens with disobedience. So, as with many of the components to the novel, it's irrelevant but designed to move the story. Similarly, there is no mention in the original Hebrew of Genesis that the serpent was Lucifer. It's simply a serpent. Since this is not a historically accurate account of the beginning of humankind, the author has full leeway to decide what type of fruit he wants to be eaten or if he wants the serpent to be a fallen angel.

[Brenda Creech]

This is such a interesting idea to think about, what I came to terms with is that lots of things in the Bible are parables and metaphors so it very much could be a fig and have some other significance or an apple and have no other relevance.

Yes, that's true. And Jesus did use the fig tree as a parable a couple of times. I do think it is interesting that the fig tree is mentioned several times in the Bible but the apple tree is not mentioned anywhere, as far as I remember!

[Brenda Creech]

It really doesn't matter what kind of fruit it was. It could have just as easily been a nut. It's a mythical story designed to show what happens with disobedience. So, as with many of the components to the novel, it's irrelevant but designed to move the story. Similarly, there is no mention in the original Hebrew of Genesis that the serpent was Lucifer. It's simply a serpent. Since this is not a historically accurate account of the beginning of humankind, the author has full leeway to decide what type of fruit he wants to be eaten or if he wants the serpent to be a fallen angel.

Agreed, I just think it is fun to speculate and hear other thoughts on what people have always believed about the story. Although I don't believe the story of Adam and Eve is a mythical story. I believe it is very true.