The answer is: Flaming sword

Gen 3:24

In Genesis 3:24, we learn that God placed cherubim alongside a flaming sword to guard the Tree of Life after Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden. This is a powerful image poised on the edge of paradise—where once humanity walked in closeness with God, cherubs and a fiery barrier now stand vigil over the life-giving tree.

Cherubim are fascinating beings worth exploring. These celestial creatures often represent divine presence and guardianship. They also show up in images familiar to ancient Near Eastern cultures and are sometimes considered as symbols of wisdom and divine shield. For example, in art and literature, they'll emerge from the very distant mythologies of nations surrounding ancient Israel.

Then there’s the flaming sword; its purpose goes beyond mere deterrence. Home to moral symbolism, this sword separating humanity from the Tree of Life signifies life's complexity and the dichotomy of innocence and knowledge—once ignorance has dawned, its shadow brings experience. It finds echoes throughout scripture where the idea of barriers shows repeated information—the departure from innocence seen later is mirrored in the narratives of exile and the quest for reconciliation throughout the Scriptures.

Historians say that the imagery evokes a crucial, formative landing within human narrative: being barred from innocence is what shapes potential—indicating that humanity holds the capability of growth, understanding, and eventual return to communion. This intrinsic quest continues to play out beautifully throughout biblical texts!