Genesis

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NASB	Genesis 3:24 So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.
AMPLIFIED 2015	Genesis 3:24 So God drove the man out; and at the east of the Garden of Eden He [permanently] stationed the cherubim and the sword with the flashing blade which turned round and round [in every direction] to protect and guard the way (entrance, access) to the tree of life. [Rev 2:7; 22:2, 14, 19]

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Subject: "Flaming sword" or 'blazing drought'?

Bible Note: Steve,
Thank you for answering my question!
First, I must say that I believe Eden to have been a real place and Adam a real man, not just symbols.
What I meant was "enwrapping drought" or "enveloping drought."
In Hebrew the word for "drought" in Genesis 31:40 and Jeremiah 50:38 and Haggai 1:11 seems to share the same root with the word translated "sword" here and with the word for "to parch." Apparently, it is a cutting off of water resulting in drought, and a sword also cuts things off, so they are related ideas.
When one considers Genesis 2:6 and 10 which emphasizes water in mist and FOUR rivers, it seems clear that drought would be a real challenge for a man who has never had to cope with it or even thought of it. Genesis 3:17-19 mentions that the cursed ground grows plants which grow best in dry conditions, hence "parched" ground rather than well-watered.
In Genesis 3:24 the cherubim stationed in the east do not have weapons, they simply watch to guard the path to the Tree of Life. Since it is contrary to God's plan of salvation to actually kill Adam or his children, a sword seems out of place since swords deal death. The idea was to keep Adam away from the tree and out of the garden so that he wouldn't try to solve his problem without God or frustrate the judgment against him. So, sending a drought when he tries to get back to Eden seems to be a better way to do this. I am not dogmatic on this idea, but it seems more in line with God's revealed character.
loavesnfish