Mountain View College

School of Theology

THE INTERPRETATION OF THE PHRASE “KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND

EVIL” IN GENESIS 2:17

A Research Paper

Presented in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Course

Research Methods in Theology II

by

Herbert V. De Real

March 2019
 ABSTRACT

THE INTERPRETATION OF THE PHRASE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD

AND EVIL IN GENESIS 2:17

by

Herbert V. De Real

Adviser: Dindo C. Paglinawan, MA

 ABSTRACT OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH
Bachelor of Arts in Theology

Mountain View College

School of Theology

TITLE: THE INTERPRETATION OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL

IN GENESIS 2:17
Name of researcher: Herbert V. De Real
Name and degree of faculty adviser: Dindo C. Paglinawan, MA
Date Completed: March 2019

This study endeavors to find the plausible

interpretation of the phrase “knowledge of good and evil” in

Genesis 2:17. The historical grammatical method of exegesis

was used to arrive to the interpretation of the phrase. This

study includes the evaluation of the general background of

the book, literary analysis, lexical-grammatical analysis

and the contextual analysis.

The meaning of the knowledge of good and evil is one

among controversial issues where scholars present their

different views. However, the central issue is the

capability of acquiring God’s knowledge when man ate the

forbidden fruit. The researcher found out that the right

interpretation of the knowledge of good and evil is God’s

knowledge of judgment.

This knowledge of judgment belongs only to God and

no created beings even Lucifer can acquire it unless God

bestows it to the one He pleases. It is an attribute of God

to render correct judgment to His creation. God, as

righteous Judge, knows that His judgment is correct and the

recipient knows that the judgment of God is righteous. Thus,

this knowledge of judgment is righteous and perfect for God

is holy and perfect.

Copyright © 2019 by Mountain View College Publications
All rights reserved
 THE INTERPRETATION OF THE PRHASE “KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD
AND EVIL” IN GENESIS 2:17

A Research Paper
Presented in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Course
Research Methods in Theology

by

Herbert V. De Real

APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE:

_________________________
Dindo C. Paglinawan, MA
Adviser
Instructor, Old Testament
School of Theology
__________________________
Felixian T. Felicitas, PhD (c)
Dean, School of Theology
Assoc. Prof. in Systematic
Theology and Church History

_________________________ __________________________
Clyde T. Sumatra, MPH Apolinar T. Paulican, PhD
Member, Asst. Professor Director, Center for Research
School of Theology Mountain View College

_________________________ __________________________
Criscel Leo F. Garilva, MA Date Approved
Member, Instructor
School of Theology
 DEDICATION

This paper is solely dedicated to the Godhead in heaven. To

my family and friends

 TABLE OF CONTENT

Chapter

1. INTRODUCTION .................................... 1

Statement of the Problem .................... 5

Purpose of the Study ........................ 5
Significance of the Study ................... 6
Limitations and Delimitations of the Study .. 6
Methodology ................................. 6

2. EXEGETICAL ANALYSIS OF GENESIS 2:17 ............. 8

General Background of the Book .............. 8

Text and Translation ....................... 10
Literary Analysis .......................... 12
Genre of Genesis ....................... 12
Structural Analysis .................... 13
Lexical Grammatical Analysis ............... 23
Contextual Analysis ........................ 26
Immediate Context ...................... 26
Wider Context .......................... 27
Theological Implications ................... 29

3. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS ........................ 31

Summary .................................... 31
Conclusion ................................. 32

BIBLIOGRAPHY................................... 34
 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Praise be to God the Father, God the Son, and the

Holy Spirit for the grace that has guided me to be in this

college and to accomplish this paper. In addition to this,

special individuals through the abundant grace of God are

worthy to be acknowledged:

To Pastor Felixian T. Felicitas, my Research

professor who really trained me and my fellow Theology

students how to make this paper and for your motivation and

support. Truly, I learned many things from your various

classes. Your dynamic way of teaching and knowledge shared

is worth emulating.

To Asst. Prof. Dindo C. Paglinawan, my intelligent

adviser and my Bible professor. I am grateful to be your

advisee for I learn a lot of important points from the

entire Bible, for your encouragement, and for being a

blessing through your knowledge of the Bible. Truly, the

knowledge you have imparted on me will help me prepare for

the future work.

To the respected members of the panel: Pastor Clyde

T. Sumatra and Sir Criscel Leo F. Garilva, for their

suggestions and recommendations that help polish this paper.

Thank you so much also for the kindness that you have showed

me and I have experienced in all your classes.

To all my friends in this college, who have served

as my sources of inspiration, namely; Annie Patalinghog,

Yboon Rose Tangid, Marjorie Valdez, Joshua Amora, Douglas

Alboria, Mr. Jay Sedonio, Kim Erana, Bernard Nitro,

ArnelSeraspe, JemarRondina, Huricane Lauron, Serie Tomitom,

Joan Canaria, Claire Adolfo, Jeffrey Panes, Dan Bulalajos,

James, Sagnoy, Mark Daniel Ocbian, Jayson Arranguez, Roi

Vincent Abueva, Michael Salipot, AbegailTabenas,

AlgirSilang, ArnelCanopin, Ervin Lahoylahoy, Dexter Bayatan,

Richard Tobias, and to all my classmates in all the subjects

I have taken in this college, thank you, everybody.

To my families: namely, the Importante family; Ante

Maniring Importante, Danny Importante, BemBem Importante,

Maeden Importante, Kierjohn Importante, JD Importante, JM

Importante, John Marlo Importante; Love2x Broniola and to

all Cabangahan Church; the Hernan Family; Uncle Andres

Hernan and his wife Auntie Hernan, Sabel, Judeza, Johnrey,

Juvelyn, Jay-an and to all Upper Bagontaas Church, Thank you

for the support.

To the Gkyds family; GOLDENAIRES Singing group,

thank you for being my stress reliever because of our songs

that made me happy; To the Sound of Care Singing Group,

thank you, for giving me the chance to join the group and

our outings.

To my precious family: De Real Family; to my father

Herphilips De Real, my mother LucitaDe Real, my siblings;

Herphilips De Real, Jr., Prescilyn De Real, Henerson De

Real, Harold De Real, and to ate Thes De Real, Kiray, Julia,

James, Andrei, and the rest of my relatives. Thank you for

unending support that has encourages and motivated me to

pursue this course.

To the best being, whom I owe everything, our

compassionate and gracious heavenly Father who is the true

source of wisdom, knowledge, strength, and everything I

needed. For without the grace of the Lord, I will not

experience being schooled in this college and finish this

degree. Glory and Honor belongs only to Him who loves you

and me.