Description
The Cherubim are a symbolical angelic figure mentioned in the Bible. They are described as serving the will of God, performing divine duties in the earthly realm. Their initial responsibility was protecting the Garden of Eden as referenced in the book of Genesis.
Cherub Medal - Pray for us
24mm long x 15mm wide
What Is a Cherub? The Cherubim in the Bible
A Cherub, or known in the plural form as Cherubim, is symbolical
angelic figure repeatedly mentioned in the Bible. Cherubim are
described as serving the will of God, performing divine duties in the
earthly realm.
A Cherub, or known in the plural form as Cherubim, is a symbolical angelic figure repeatedly mentioned in the
Bible
.
Cherubim are described as serving the will of God, performing divine
duties in the earthly realm. Their initial responsibility was protecting
the Garden of Eden as referenced in the book of Genesis. Discover
further scripture references to the Cherub and their relation to other
angelic beings including Lucifer before his fall.
Cherubim in the Bible
According to
Eastons Bible Dictionary
, the Cherub, or Cherubim, are first mentioned in connection with the removal of our first parents from Eden (
Genesis 3:24
).
There is no implication given of their shape or form. They are next
discussed when Moses was commanded to provide furniture for the
tabernacle (
Exodus 25:17-20
;
26:1,31
). God promised to commune with Moses "from between the cherubim" (
Exodus 25:22
). This expression was afterward used to denote the Divine abode and presence (
Numbers 7:89
;
1 Samuel 4:4
;
Isaiah 37:16
;
Psalm 80:1
;
99:1
).
In Ezekiel's vision (
Ezekiel 10:1-20
) they appear as living creatures supporting the throne of God. From Ezekiel's description of them (
Ezekiel 1
;
41:18,19
),
they appear to have been compound figures, unlike any real object in
nature; artificial image
The cherubim were symbolical. They were intended to
represent spiritual existence in immediate contact with Jehovah. Some
have regarded them as symbolical of the chief ruling power by which God
carries on his operations in providence (
Psalm 18:10
).
Others interpret them as having reference to the redemption of men, and
as symbolizing the great rulers or ministers of the church. Many other
opinions have been held regarding them which need not be referred to
here. On the whole, it seems to be most satisfactory to regard the
interpretation of the symbol to be variable, as is the symbol itself.
Cherub and Seraphim
The
key distinction between the heavenly beings known as cherubim and
seraphim is their form: cherubim have four faces and four wings, while
seraphim have six wings. In the Bible, both the cherubim's and
seraphim's central purpose is to sit at the throne and serve God.
Cherubim
appear in several books of the Bible, including Genesis, Ezekiel,
Kings, and Revelation. Their four faces are ox, lion, man, and eagle,
although Ezekiel replaces the ox for the face of a cherub. They move
quickly, using a wheel within a wheel, and their wings cover their body.
Seraphim
only appear in the book of Isaiah. Their name means "burning ones,
flying serpents." Seraphim use two of their wings for flight. Like the
cherubim, they are among the highest order of angelic beings.
Ezekiel (Ezekiel
1:4-14
) speaks of four; and this number of "living creatures" is mentioned in
Revelation 4:6
. Those on the ark are called the "cherubim of glory" (
Hebrews 9:5
),
i.e., of the Shechinah, or cloud of glory, for on them the visible
glory of God rested. They were placed one at each end of the mercy-seat,
with wings stretched upward, and their faces "toward each other and
toward the mercy-seat." They were
anointed
with holy oil, like the ark itself and the other sacred furniture.
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