Biblical Word Etymology
The Etymology of “Paradise”
The biblical word “Paradise” traces back to Greek / Hebrew (παράδεισος (paradeisos) / פַּרְדֵּס (pardēs)), where it meant “A garden or enclosed park; a place of beauty and pleasure; paradise”. Across 3eras it evolved into the modern sense: “A place of perfect bliss or beauty; heaven; the Garden of Eden”.
How the Meaning Evolved
Ancient Hebrew/Greek
Greek / Hebrewπαράδεισος (paradeisos) / פַּרְדֵּס (pardēs)A garden or enclosed park; a place of beauty and pleasure; paradise
Greek paradeisos (G3857) from Old Persian pairidaeza (enclosed garden). Hebrew pardēs (H6508) refers to a garden or park. Used for the Garden of Eden and heaven in scripture.
Medieval Latin / Church
LatinparadisusThe Garden of Eden; heaven; the abode of the blessed; a place of perfect bliss
Latin paradisus from Greek. Medieval theology used Paradise to denote both the original garden and the heavenly realm. Dante's 'Paradiso' exemplifies this usage.
Modern English
EnglishparadiseA place of perfect bliss or beauty; heaven; the Garden of Eden
Via Latin from Greek paradeisos. English use encompasses both the theological (Garden of Eden, heaven) and secular (any beautiful place) senses.