What does the Bible say about the tree of knowledge of good and evil?

The tree of knowledge of good and evil, as described in Genesis 3, symbolizes humanity's choice to reject God's authority and governance in favor of self-rule. When Adam and Eve partook of this tree, they were not merely disobeying a command; they were asserting their independence from God's defined morality. This act marked the entrance of sin into the world, as it was fundamentally a decision to seize the role of God, determining what is good and evil apart from divine revelation. This is echoed throughout Scripture, illustrating the critical need for God's guidance in defining right and wrong, as humanity's attempt to do so leads to chaos and separation from God.