Matthew Poole and continuators on Genesis 3:24

24. So he drove out the Man: And he placed, at the East of the Garden of Eden, Cherubims , and a flaming Sword , which turned every way , to keep the way of the Tree of Life .

Where the entrance into it was, the other sides of it being inclosed or secured by God to preserve it from the entrance and annoyance of wild Beasts: Or, before the Garden, i. e. Near to the Garden, before any man could come at the Garden any way.

(i. e.) Angels, so called from their exquisite knowledge, and therefore fitly here used for the punishment of man who sinned by affecting divine knowledge.

In the Cherubims hands, as it was upon other occasions, Numb. 22. 23. Ios. 5. 13. 1 Chron. 21. 16, 27. And this was either a material Sword bright and being brandished shining and glittering like a flame of fire, or, flaming fire in the shape of a Sword. Or, flaming Swords, because there were divers Cherubims, and each of them had a Sword. The singular number for the plural: Or, a two edged Sword.

Was brandished and nimbly whirled about by the Cherubims, which posture was fittest for the present service.

The way that leads to Paradise, and so to the Tree of Life; that man might be deterred and kept from coming thither.

Marginal references: Heb. The flame of a Sword.