In the East the gardens were portions of ground under culture, and often enclosed by walls, in which fruit and herbs were grown. Water was always necessary: in the garden of Eden there was a river by which it was watered; and hence a fruitful place was described as well watered, 'as the garden of the Lord.' Genesis 13:10 . It is also used figuratively of great blessing: when Israel is restored, "their soul shall be as a watered garden," Jeremiah 31:12; whereas under God's judgements they were like a garden that had no water. Isaiah 1:30 .

The garden was also looked upon as a place of delights, and is often used figuratively in this sense in the Canticles; Song of Solomon 4:12-16; Song of Solomon 5:1; Song of Solomon 6:2,11; Song of Solomon 8:13 . Gardens were also secluded places of secret sin. Isaiah 65:3; Isaiah 66:17 .

The two most noted gardens in scripture were the gardens of EDEN and of GETHSEMANE, q.v. Once only we read of a GARDENER, John 20:15 , though, since the curse upon the ground, there must always have been some who laboured in gardens: cf. Genesis 3:19; Song of Solomon 1:6; and in Eden, before the curse, Adam was placed in the garden 'to dress it and to keep it.' Genesis 2:15 .