Originally the word translated ‘paradise’ in English versions of the Bible meant ‘a garden’. The word was used of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:8-10; Ezekiel 28:13). This association with a place of beauty and perfection was probably the reason why the word in later times was used of heaven (Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 12:3; Revelation 2:7; cf. Revelation 22:1-5; see HEAVEN).