[OT] Cherubim / Man - Serving and Guarding in the Garden of Eden

[Clair B]

Serving and Guarding

• Gen 2:15 "The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to serve and to guard." 
  
• The Babylonian creation epic mentions "serving and guarding" also.  Man was created with the blood of Kingu to serve the Gods, and subsequently the Anunnaki (deities of the 2nd rank) who had been the servants of the supreme gods were released from this duty and given the task of guarding, half guarding heaven and half guarding Sheol.
• Israel's epic poems show the cherubim as those entrusted with guarding.  Ezekiel calls the Edenic cherurb "guardian cherub" or "measuring (anointed) guardian cherub" (Ezk 28:14, 16).
• Cassuto believes the Torah amended this tradition and substituted man for the cherubs -- to both serve and guard.  The Cherubim's reduced status was reinstated  to guard the way to the tree of life. (Gen 3:24)

Gen 2:15   The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
Gen 3:24 After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.
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Ezk 28:14,16   You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God  ....  I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, O guardian cherub...