The song was directly inspired by John Steinbeck's novel East of Eden, which parallels the Cain and Abel story in Genesis. The title is a Hebrew word which translates as "thou mayest" and the discovery in the book by a group of Chinese scholars of Timshel's proper meaning in connection with the Cain and Abel account is an important symbol in East Of Eden's storyline. Steinbeck points out this free will to make choices, which God has given mankind means that though we will not be able to overcome original sin, we may decide to ask for forgiveness for our sins.
Marcus Mumford said regarding the book's author to Q magazine: "Steinbeck is my favorite American author. I've even made a pilgrimage to his house in Salinas, California."
Other songs that have been inspired by East Of Eden include Anna Nalick's "Drink Me" Meg and Dia's "Monster." and Bruce Springsteen's "Adam Raised a Cain."
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