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'''Paradise''' means a place of splendor, happiness, and no want; it can be used synonymously for [[Heaven]]. The word originates from a [[Persian]] word that roughly equates to the "heaven" side of the Heaven/Hell duality in [[Zoroastrianism]]. When the ancient Tribe of the [[Upper Kingdom]] was freed from [[Babylonian Exile]], they adopted many cultural traits and parts of the language from the Zoroastrians, including the word "paradise".

'''Paradise''' means an existence of splendor, [[infinite]] happiness, and lack of want. It can be synonymous for [[Heaven]]. The existence of [[God]] implies paradise for those who earnestly seek God.  Popular music and [[poetry]] invoke "paradise" frequently, including [[Shakespeare]]'s ''A Lovers Complaint''. [[Bible]] translations should use this term more, as in replacing the monarchical, archaic "[[kingdom of God]]" phrase with the stronger phrase "[[God]]'s paradise."

The English usage of paradise for Heaven comes through [[French]], which takes its form "paradis" from the [[Latin]]. Latin borrowed from the [[Greek]], which took the word more directly from the Persian word.

The word comes from {{bible ref|Luke|23|43}}, where [[Jesus]] promised after-death deliverance to "παράδεισος" (paradeisos) to the so-called [[Good Thief]] who was [[Crucifixion|crucified]] next to him.<ref>Some claim the word originates from a [[Persian]] word that roughly equates to the "heaven" side of the Heaven/Hell duality in [[Zoroastrianism]].  When the ancient Tribe of the Upper Kingdom was freed from [[Babylonian Exile]], they adopted many cultural traits and parts of the language from the Zoroastrians, including the word "paradise".  The English usage of paradise for Heaven comes through [[French]], which takes its form "paradis" from the [[Latin]]. Latin borrowed from the [[Greek]], which took the word more directly from the Persian word.</ref>  The term for paradise is also mentioned at {{bibleref|2Corinthians|12|3}} and {{bibleref|Revelation|2|7}}, and nowhere in the [[Old Testament]]. [[The Message]] translation uses the word two more times than most other English translations do.

 

The meaning of paradise varies from the self-centered concept associated with [[Islam]] (especially as promoted by Muslim terrorist groups) to the [[Christian]] ideal of a mutual sharing of love with God and other saved believers.

Paradise is a place or experience likened to a many faceted diamond, different aspects, all true to the reality. The Tree of Life in Paradise in the New Testament book of the Revelation points to the origin. "Paradise" is from the Greek and refers back to the experience of the Garden of Eden. Garden = gan, Eden = delight or delicacy, in the Hebrew of Genesis  - the Garden of Delight. Cognates of "Paradise" may be found in the Akkadian meaning a protected and bountiful enclosure, and in particular the royal enclosure.  

Paradise is a place or experience likened to a many faceted diamond, different aspects, all true to the reality. The Tree of Life in Paradise in the New Testament book of the Revelation points to the origin. "Paradise" is from the Greek and refers back to the experience of the Garden of Eden. Garden = gan, Eden = delight or delicacy, in the Hebrew of Genesis  - the Garden of Delight. Cognates of "Paradise" may be found in the Akkadian meaning a protected and bountiful enclosure, and in particular the royal enclosure.  

==Paradise metaphoric==

==Paradise metaphoric==

Because "Paradise" contains within it the understanding of the realization of the hopes of man for a better world, one in which, oppression, and unrighteousness are excluded and thus, making for a world better, fulfilling, of goodness restored, and a realization of the best that man could imagine for himself and for others, "Paradise"  has often been used  metaphorically for all that on earth approaches these qualities. "Paradise" thus has become secularized and come to signify some type of human utopia. In this way, "Paradise"  has come to be viewed paradoxically, as both banal and its opposite, other worldly and pie-in-the-sky. In Hebrew language Paradise (Pardes) has come to mean merely "orchard". But even in this, the vestige of the original Biblical meaning remains - Garden of Eden.

Because "Paradise" contains within it the understanding of the realization of the hopes of man for a better world, one in which, oppression, and unrighteousness are excluded and thus, making for a world better, fulfilling, of goodness restored, and a realization of the best that man could imagine for himself and for others, "Paradise"  has often been used  metaphorically for all that on earth approaches these qualities. "Paradise" thus has become secularized and come to signify some type of human utopia. In this way, "Paradise"  has come to be viewed paradoxically, as both banal and its opposite, other worldly and pie-in-the-sky. In Hebrew language Paradise (Pardes) has come to mean merely "orchard". But even in this, the vestige of the original Biblical meaning remains - Garden of Eden.

==See Also==

==See also==

*[[Christianity]]

*[[Christianity]]

*[[Jesus Christ]]

*[[Jesus Christ]]

*[[Heaven]]

*[[Heaven]]

*[[Midrash]] for the "Paradise" (Pardes) method of Jewsih biblical exegesis

*[[Midrash]] for the "Paradise" (Pardes) method of Jewish biblical exegesis

[[Category:Religion]]

[[Category:Religion]]