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Now, we have two direct claims in the Bible about what will happen should someone eat from the Tree of Knowledge:
1) Death (physical) that very day (before the sun sets)
2) Eyes open and become as gods knowing good and evil
1.Where in the bible does it say that the death punishment for eating of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil would be physical? It was a spiritual death, a falling away from God. Also at this point Adam and Eve were to live forever, after eating the fruit they eventually die (yes, physically). In an eternity wouldn't one life span seem like a day?
2.The serpent is the great temptor. God does not tempt us to sin and therefore it would make sense that He would not tell Adam and Eve that if they ate of the fruit they would know good and evil. If He had told them this then they would have only eaten of it sooner. Just like when you tell a child not to do something and they have to do it. Adam and Eve were mentally childlike. They would listen to God not to eat of the tree until someone gave them a reason to disobey. God kept that reason from them. Satan tempted them with it.
The results of eating of this tree are not Exclusive. They are Inclusive.