Who Entered Gan Eden Alive? The Ten Figures Named in Jewish Tradition

In Masechet Derech Eretz Zuta, the names of ten individuals who merited to enter Gan Eden while still alive are listed:

1. Chanoch son of Yered

2. Eliyahu the Prophet

3. The Mashiach

4. Eliezer, servant of Avraham

5. Chiram, king of Tzur

6. Eved Melech the Cushite

7. Yaavetz, the son (according to another version, the grandson) of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi

8. Batya, daughter of Pharaoh

9. Serach, daughter of Asher

Some say that Chiram king of Tzur should be removed from the list and replaced with Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi.

Below are details about several of those who were said to have entered Gan Eden alive:

Chanoch – Transformed into an Angel

In the Book of Bereishit, Chanoch is described as a righteous man who was taken by God without experiencing death: “And Chanoch walked with God, and he was no more, for God took him.” According to Targum Yonatan, Chanoch ascended to Heaven during his lifetime and became an angel. Another Midrash teaches that he was among the few who entered Gan Eden alive.

Eliyahu the Prophet – Ascended in a Heavenly Storm

Eliyahu lived during the reign of King Achav of Israel and is well known for his struggle against Achav and his Phoenician wife Jezebel. He holds a central place in Jewish tradition as the herald of redemption.

His ascent to Heaven is described in Kings II chapter 2. Eliyahu traveled with his disciple Elisha from Beit El to Yericho, and from there they went down to the Jordan River, which Eliyahu split with his cloak. At each stop, groups of prophetic disciples told Elisha that Eliyahu would be taken from him that day, but he remained silent.

After crossing the Jordan, Eliyahu asked Elisha what he wished to receive before his departure. Elisha requested, “Let there be a double portion of your spirit upon me,” a request Eliyahu called difficult. Some interpret this as a request for two thirds of Eliyahu’s spiritual power, while others take it literally, noting that Elisha performed twice as many miracles as Eliyahu.

Eliyahu then ascended “in a fiery storm to the heavens,” while Elisha remained behind, crying out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!”

Eliezer, Servant of Avraham – Suspected Yet Silent

Eliezer was the trusted servant of Avraham. He was sent to find a wife for Yitzchak. According to Yalkut Shimoni, Eliezer was once wrongly suspected by Yitzchak. The Midrash relates that God said, “What shall I do for this servant who was suspected? Let the ministering angels bring him alive into Gan Eden.”

Eved Melech the Cushite

Eved Melech the Cushite served King Tzidkiyahu and is remembered for saving the prophet Yirmiyahu from death. After Yirmiyahu prophesied harsh destruction against Jerusalem, the princes of Yehuda accused him of weakening the people. They threw him into a pit filled with mud in the courtyard of the prison.

When Eved Melech heard this, he ran to the king and warned that Yirmiyahu would die there. Tzidkiyahu ordered him to gather thirty men and lift Yirmiyahu out of the pit, thus saving his life.

Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi – Never Broke His Oath

Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi was an early Amora from the Land of Israel, renowned as a great teacher of Aggadah. Hundreds of teachings in the Talmud are attributed to him.

The Babylonian Talmud tells that when the time came for him to die, the Angel of Death was instructed to fulfill his wishes because of his righteousness. Rabbi Yehoshua asked to see his place in Gan Eden, and the angel agreed. On the way, Rabbi Yehoshua requested the angel’s sword so he would not be frightened. The angel handed it to him.

When they arrived, the Angel of Death lifted him to show him his place. Rabbi Yehoshua leaped inside Gan Eden and refused to return, declaring under oath that he would not go back. God said, “If he ever broke an oath in his lifetime, let him return.” Since he had never broken an oath, he remained in Gan Eden.