Frequently asked questions and answers:

Question 196: What was the purpose of the “Tree of Knowledge”?

Answer:

The tree of knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:8) was designed as a test of obedience by which our first parents were to be tried, whether they would be good or evil; whether they would choose to obey YHVH or break His Commandments and the eating of the fruit of the tree revealed to them their new condition as sinners under divine displeasure.