The Tree of Life (icon)

Following is a contemporary Ukrainian Orthodox icon of the Tree of Life by Kateryna Shadrina.

 

Orthodox Icons are not drawings or creations of imagination. They are in fact writings of things not of this world. Icons can represent our Lord Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the Saints. They can also represent the Holy Trinity, Angels, the Heavenly hosts, and even events. Orthodox icons, unlike Western pictures, change the perspective and form of the image so that it is not naturalistic. This is done so that we can look beyond appearances of the world, and instead look to the spiritual truth of the holy person or event. (Source )

For purchasing artworks by Kateryna Shadrina go to IconArt Gallery .

Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 2:12

The tree of life shall give them fragrant perfume means this tree will give a fragrant smell to God’s new people. The tree of life enables the people who eat its fruit to live forever (see Gen 2.9; 3.22; Rev 2.7; 22.2; 2 Esd 8.52). This phrase may be translated “the tree that gives life” (Contemporary English Version) or “the tree whose fruit causes people to live forever.”

And they shall neither toil nor become weary means they will never have to work, nor will they ever become tired.

The following model of this verse is based on Contemporary English Version:

• My people will smell the sweet fragrance of the tree that gives life, and they will no longer [have to] work or become tired.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Esdras. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.