In the Dead Sea Scrolls there are texts which speak of the Garden of Eden in Temples terms, describing it as an “eternal plantation” and one where Adam’s descendants consecrate themselves and are placed as a “Holy of Holies” over all creation. Note the following from 4Q418:
Frag. 81 (= 4Q423 8 + 24?) 1 your lips he has opened a spring to bless the holy ones.
And you, as (with) an eternal fountain praise […] he has separated you from
every 2 spirit of flesh. And you, keep yourself apart
from everything he hates, and abstain from all abominations of the soul. [Fo]r
he has made everyone, 3 and has given each of them their inheritance.
And he is your portion and your inheritance among the sons of Adam, [and over]
his [in]heritance he has given them authority. And you, 4 honour him by this: by consecrating yourself to
him, in accordance to the fact that he has placed you as a holy of holies [over
all] the earth, and among all the [g]o[ds] 5 he has
cast your lot. And he has multiplied your glory exceedingly, and he has placed
you for him as a first-born … [… «…] 6 and my goodness I will give to you». And you,
is not his goodness for you, and in faithfulness to him walk continuously […] 7 your works. And you, seek his judgments from all
your adversaries, in all … […] 8 love him; and with {eternal} kindness and
mercy towards all who keep his word and … […] 9 And
you, [he has op]ened insight for you, and he has given you authority over his
treasure, and an epha of truth he has entrusted […] 10 they are with you. And it is in your hand to turn
away anger from the men of pleasure and to appoint over […] 11 your people. Before you take your inheritance from
his hand, honour his holy ones, and be[fore …] 12 begin [with] a song (for) all the holy ones. And
everyone who is called by his name (will be) holy […] 13 during all times his splendour, his beauty for the eter[nal]
plantation […] 14 … world. In it will walk all who inherit the
earth, for in … […] 15 And you, understanding one, if he has given
you authority over manual craft, know then […] 16 ’wt for all mortal humans (?), and from there you shall
entrust your food and […] 17 you will be exceedingly understanding. And
from all your teachers get more understanding […] 18 Exhibit your lack to all those who seek pleasure,
and then you will establish […] 19 you shall fill, and you will be satiated with
the abundance of good (things), and with your craftsmanship […] 20 For God has allotted the inheritance of [ever]y
[living being,] and all (you) wise ones of heart, understand […] (The Dead
Sea Scrolls Study Edition, eds. Florentino García Martínez and Eibert J.C.
Tigchelaar [Leiden: Brill, 1997], 871, 873)
