Many connections confirm that Eden was a proto-temple, a sanctuary where Adam and Eve dwelled in the presence of God. 1 And in Genesis 3:22–24, Adam (and Eve with him) left the garden sanctuary because of exile.To prevent reentry, God placed at the east of the garden “cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life” (Gen. 3:24). We can imagine the aftermath for the image-bearers, that they would be able to see the entrance to the sanctuary they were now forbidden to enter.

When we look at the end of Genesis 3 with the beginning of Genesis 4, we can pair together the notions of sacred space and sacrifice. And this pairing can help us think about the location of Cain and Abel’s sacrifices.

In Genesis 4:3–4 we’re told, “In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions.” Notice the phrase “brought to the LORD an offering.” Bringing something to the Lord suggests a location, and we might wonder where.

Could the location be the entrance to Eden?

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