Cherubim

(cherub singular, cherubim plural)

Babies? Chimeric throne guardians? Steeds? What texts feature the cherubim and what can we learn about them?

## Texts

There are 69 occurrences of "cherub" in the NIV translation of the Protestant Bible. The Texts section of this page is longer than any other I have done so far. There may need to be an adjustment made to how this is done- especially since this is only the cannon texts and the non-cannon texts along with commentaries and church writings are not even included yet. Once more texts and more discussion is added to this page it will be exceedingly long.

### Genesis

Dates

"22 And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” 23 So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. 24 After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side[e] of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life."

Genesis 3:22-24 NIV

### Exodus

Dates

"10 “Have them make an ark[b] of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.[c] 11 Overlay it with pure gold, both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it. 12 Cast four gold rings for it and fasten them to its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other. 13 Then make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. 14 Insert the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it. 15 The poles are to remain in the rings of this ark; they are not to be removed. 16 Then put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law, which I will give you.

17 “Make an atonement cover of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. 18 And make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. 19 Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends. 20 The cherubim are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover. 21 Place the cover on top of the ark and put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law that I will give you. 22 There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the covenant law, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites."

Exodus 25:10-22 NIV

"“1 Make the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim woven into them by a skilled worker."

Exodus 26:1 NIV

"31 “Make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim woven into it by a skilled worker. "

Exodus 26:31 NIV

"8 All those who were skilled among the workers made the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim woven into them by expert hands."

Exodus 36:8 NIV

"35 They made the curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim woven into it by a skilled worker."

Exodus 36:35 NIV

"6 He made the atonement cover of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. 7 Then he made two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. 8 He made one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; at the two ends he made them of one piece with the cover. 9 The cherubim had their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim faced each other, looking toward the cover."Exodus 37:7-9 NIV

### Numbers

Dates

"When Moses entered the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant law. In this way the Lord spoke to him."

Numbers 7:89 NIV

### 1 Samuel

Dates

"So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the Lord Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim. And Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God."

1 Samuel 4:4 NIV

### 2 Samuel

Dates

"He and all his men went to Baalah in Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name, the name of the Lord Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim on the ark."

2 Samuel 6:2 NIV

"10 He parted the heavens and came down;

   dark clouds were under his feet.

11 He mounted the cherubim and flew;

   he soared[d] on the wings of the wind.

12 He made darkness his canopy around him—

   the dark[e] rain clouds of the sky."

2 Samuel 22:11 NIV

### 1 Kings

Dates

"23 For the inner sanctuary he made a pair of cherubim out of olive wood, each ten cubits high. 24 One wing of the first cherub was five cubits long, and the other wing five cubits—ten cubits from wing tip to wing tip. 25 The second cherub also measured ten cubits, for the two cherubim were identical in size and shape. 26 The height of each cherub was ten cubits. 27 He placed the cherubim inside the innermost room of the temple, with their wings spread out. The wing of one cherub touched one wall, while the wing of the other touched the other wall, and their wings touched each other in the middle of the room. 28 He overlaid the cherubim with gold.

29 On the walls all around the temple, in both the inner and outer rooms, he carved cherubim, palm trees and open flowers. 30 He also covered the floors of both the inner and outer rooms of the temple with gold.

31 For the entrance to the inner sanctuary he made doors out of olive wood that were one fifth of the width of the sanctuary. 32 And on the two olive-wood doors he carved cherubim, palm trees and open flowers, and overlaid the cherubim and palm trees with hammered gold. 33 In the same way, for the entrance to the main hall he made doorframes out of olive wood that were one fourth of the width of the hall. 34 He also made two doors out of juniper wood, each having two leaves that turned in sockets. 35 He carved cherubim, palm trees and open flowers on them and overlaid them with gold hammered evenly over the carvings."

1 Kings 6:23-35 NIV

"27 He also made ten movable stands of bronze; each was four cubits long, four wide and three high.[r] 28 This is how the stands were made: They had side panels attached to uprights. 29 On the panels between the uprights were lions, bulls and cherubim—and on the uprights as well. Above and below the lions and bulls were wreaths of hammered work. 30 Each stand had four bronze wheels with bronze axles, and each had a basin resting on four supports, cast with wreaths on each side. 31 On the inside of the stand there was an opening that had a circular frame one cubit[s] deep. This opening was round, and with its basework it measured a cubit and a half.[t] Around its opening there was engraving. The panels of the stands were square, not round. 32 The four wheels were under the panels, and the axles of the wheels were attached to the stand. The diameter of each wheel was a cubit and a half. 33 The wheels were made like chariot wheels; the axles, rims, spokes and hubs were all of cast metal.

34 Each stand had four handles, one on each corner, projecting from the stand. 35 At the top of the stand there was a circular band half a cubit[u] deep. The supports and panels were attached to the top of the stand. 36 He engraved cherubim, lions and palm trees on the surfaces of the supports and on the panels, in every available space, with wreaths all around. 37 This is the way he made the ten stands. They were all cast in the same molds and were identical in size and shape."

1 Kings 7:27-37 NIV

"6 The priests then brought the ark of the Lord’s covenant to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, and put it beneath the wings of the cherubim. 7 The cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its carrying poles."

1 Kings 8:6-7

### 2 Kings

Dates

"And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: “Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth."

2 Kings 19:15 NIV

### 1 Chronicles

Dates

"David and all Israel went to Baalah of Judah (Kiriath Jearim) to bring up from there the ark of God the Lord, who is enthroned between the cherubim—the ark that is called by the Name."

1 Chronicles 13:6 NIV

"and the weight of the refined gold for the altar of incense. He also gave him the plan for the chariot, that is, the cherubim of gold that spread their wings and overshadow the ark of the covenant of the Lord."

1 Chronicles 28:18 NIV

Interesting that this passage calls the cherubim that cover the ark "chariot." Is there a relation to this idea and the Elijah's chariots of fire or the horses of fire? Chariots have wheels and the ophanim of Ezekiel's vision are with cherubim. There is obviously a connection between the cherubim and the ophanim and the idea of transportation for God. We are picking at pieces of an idea. Where might we find other ancient sources with more explicit explanations of these ideas and connections?

### 2 Chronicles

Dates

"7 He overlaid the ceiling beams, doorframes, walls and doors of the temple with gold, and he carved cherubim on the walls.

8 He built the Most Holy Place, its length corresponding to the width of the temple—twenty cubits long and twenty cubits wide. He overlaid the inside with six hundred talents[e] of fine gold. 9 The gold nails weighed fifty shekels.[f] He also overlaid the upper parts with gold.

10 For the Most Holy Place he made a pair of sculptured cherubim and overlaid them with gold. 11 The total wingspan of the cherubim was twenty cubits. One wing of the first cherub was five cubits[g] long and touched the temple wall, while its other wing, also five cubits long, touched the wing of the other cherub. 12 Similarly one wing of the second cherub was five cubits long and touched the other temple wall, and its other wing, also five cubits long, touched the wing of the first cherub. 13 The wings of these cherubim extended twenty cubits. They stood on their feet, facing the main hall.[h]

14 He made the curtain of blue, purple and crimson yarn and fine linen, with cherubim worked into it."

2 Chronicles 3:7-14 NIV

"7 The priests then brought the ark of the Lord’s covenant to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, and put it beneath the wings of the cherubim. 8 The cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and covered the ark and its carrying poles."

2 Chronicles 5:7-8 NIV

### Psalm

Dates

"9 He parted the heavens and came down;

   dark clouds were under his feet.

10 He mounted the cherubim and flew;

   he soared on the wings of the wind.

11 He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him—

   the dark rain clouds of the sky."

Psalm 18:9-11 NIV

"For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” Of Asaph. A psalm.

1 Hear us, Shepherd of Israel,

   you who lead Joseph like a flock.

You who sit enthroned between the cherubim,

   shine forth 2 before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.

Awaken your might;

   come and save us."

Psalm 80:1-2 NIV

"1 The Lord reigns,

   let the nations tremble;

he sits enthroned between the cherubim,

   let the earth shake.

2 Great is the Lord in Zion;

   he is exalted over all the nations."

Psalm 99:1-2 NIV

### Isaiah

Dates

"“Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth."

Isaiah 37:16 NIV

### Ezekiel

Dates

"1 In my thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.

2 On the fifth of the month—it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin— 3 the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, by the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians.[a] There the hand of the Lord was on him.

4 I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north—an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal, 5 and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was human, 6 but each of them had four faces and four wings. 7 Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze. 8 Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. All four of them had faces and wings, 9 and the wings of one touched the wings of another. Each one went straight ahead; they did not turn as they moved.

10 Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle. 11 Such were their faces. They each had two wings spreading out upward, each wing touching that of the creature on either side; and each had two other wings covering its body. 12 Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they went. 13 The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals of fire or like torches. Fire moved back and forth among the creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it. 14 The creatures sped back and forth like flashes of lightning.

15 As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature with its four faces. 16 This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: They sparkled like topaz, and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel. 17 As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the creatures faced; the wheels did not change direction as the creatures went. 18 Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around.

19 When the living creatures moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the living creatures rose from the ground, the wheels also rose. 20 Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, and the wheels would rise along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. 21 When the creatures moved, they also moved; when the creatures stood still, they also stood still; and when the creatures rose from the ground, the wheels rose along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

22 Spread out above the heads of the living creatures was what looked something like a vault, sparkling like crystal, and awesome. 23 Under the vault their wings were stretched out one toward the other, and each had two wings covering its body. 24 When the creatures moved, I heard the sound of their wings, like the roar of rushing waters, like the voice of the Almighty,[b] like the tumult of an army. When they stood still, they lowered their wings.

25 Then there came a voice from above the vault over their heads as they stood with lowered wings. 26 Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. 27 I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. 28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him.

This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.

Ezekiel 1 NIV

While this passage does not identify the four living creatures as cherubim the passage in Ezekiel 10 does.

Because Ezekiel calls the cherubim the "four living creatures" there is an obvious connection between these and John's four living creatures in Revelation. I think I will discuss this on a separate page dedicated to the four living creatures.

I wonder at the signifgance of the phrase "living creatures." This phrase is used else where in Hebrew scripture to refer to just animals. Why does Ezekiel use it specifically to identify the cherubim? At first he does not know what they are- and perhaps because they look like beasts- that is what he decides to call them. But he could've called them that from the beginning since he assumedly had time to edit his account later in life. Why this phrase? I will explore this more in the living creatures page.

It is funny to me that the cherubim and seraphim get ranked so highly in Psuedodionysis' hierarchy being that both of these groups are so very bestial in appearance and that Ezekiel identifies them first as beasts. Especially since the cherubim are essentially being used as beasts of burden or mounts here and elsewhere in scripture.

"12 Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a loud rumbling sound as the glory of the Lord rose from the place where it was standing.[a] 13 It was the sound of the wings of the living creatures brushing against each other and the sound of the wheels beside them, a loud rumbling sound. 14 The Spirit then lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the Lord on me. 15 I came to the exiles who lived at Tel Aviv near the Kebar River. And there, where they were living, I sat among them for seven days—deeply distressed."

Ezekiel 3:12-15 NIV

"3 Now the glory of the God of Israel went up from above the cherubim, where it had been, and moved to the threshold of the temple. Then the Lord called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side 4 and said to him, “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.”"

Ezekiel 9:3-4 NIV

"1 I looked, and I saw the likeness of a throne of lapis lazuli above the vault that was over the heads of the cherubim. 2 The Lord said to the man clothed in linen, “Go in among the wheels beneath the cherubim. Fill your hands with burning coals from among the cherubim and scatter them over the city.” And as I watched, he went in.

3 Now the cherubim were standing on the south side of the temple when the man went in, and a cloud filled the inner court. 4 Then the glory of the Lord rose from above the cherubim and moved to the threshold of the temple. The cloud filled the temple, and the court was full of the radiance of the glory of the Lord. 5 The sound of the wings of the cherubim could be heard as far away as the outer court, like the voice of God Almighty[a] when he speaks.

6 When the Lord commanded the man in linen, “Take fire from among the wheels, from among the cherubim,” the man went in and stood beside a wheel. 7 Then one of the cherubim reached out his hand to the fire that was among them. He took up some of it and put it into the hands of the man in linen, who took it and went out. 8 (Under the wings of the cherubim could be seen what looked like human hands.)

9 I looked, and I saw beside the cherubim four wheels, one beside each of the cherubim; the wheels sparkled like topaz. 10 As for their appearance, the four of them looked alike; each was like a wheel intersecting a wheel. 11 As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the cherubim faced; the wheels did not turn about[b] as the cherubim went. The cherubim went in whatever direction the head faced, without turning as they went. 12 Their entire bodies, including their backs, their hands and their wings, were completely full of eyes, as were their four wheels. 13 I heard the wheels being called “the whirling wheels.” 14 Each of the cherubim had four faces: One face was that of a cherub, the second the face of a human being, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.

15 Then the cherubim rose upward. These were the living creatures I had seen by the Kebar River. 16 When the cherubim moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the cherubim spread their wings to rise from the ground, the wheels did not leave their side. 17 When the cherubim stood still, they also stood still; and when the cherubim rose, they rose with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in them.

18 Then the glory of the Lord departed from over the threshold of the temple and stopped above the cherubim. 19 While I watched, the cherubim spread their wings and rose from the ground, and as they went, the wheels went with them. They stopped at the entrance of the east gate of the Lord’s house, and the glory of the God of Israel was above them.

20 These were the living creatures I had seen beneath the God of Israel by the Kebar River, and I realized that they were cherubim. 21 Each had four faces and four wings, and under their wings was what looked like human hands. 22 Their faces had the same appearance as those I had seen by the Kebar River. Each one went straight ahead.

Ezekiel 10 NIV

"Then the cherubim, with the wheels beside them, spread their wings, and the glory of the God of Israel was above them."

Ezekiel 11:22 NIV

"The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“‘In the pride of your heart

   you say, “I am a god;

I sit on the throne of a god

   in the heart of the seas.”

But you are a mere mortal and not a god,

   though you think you are as wise as a god.

3 Are you wiser than Daniel[a]?

   Is no secret hidden from you?

4 By your wisdom and understanding

   you have gained wealth for yourself

and amassed gold and silver

   in your treasuries.

5 By your great skill in trading

   you have increased your wealth,

and because of your wealth

   your heart has grown proud.

6 “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“‘Because you think you are wise,

   as wise as a god,

7 I am going to bring foreigners against you,

   the most ruthless of nations;

they will draw their swords against your beauty and wisdom

   and pierce your shining splendor.

8 They will bring you down to the pit,

   and you will die a violent death

   in the heart of the seas.

9 Will you then say, “I am a god,”

   in the presence of those who kill you?

You will be but a mortal, not a god,

   in the hands of those who slay you.

10 You will die the death of the uncircumcised

   at the hands of foreigners.

I have spoken, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”

11 The word of the Lord came to me: 12 “Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“‘You were the seal of perfection,

   full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.

13 You were in Eden,

   the garden of God;

every precious stone adorned you:

   carnelian, chrysolite and emerald,

   topaz, onyx and jasper,

   lapis lazuli, turquoise and beryl.[b]

Your settings and mountings[c] were made of gold;

   on the day you were created they were prepared.

14 You were anointed as a guardian cherub,

   for so I ordained you.

You were on the holy mount of God;

   you walked among the fiery stones.

15 You were blameless in your ways

   from the day you were created

   till wickedness was found in you.

16 Through your widespread trade

   you were filled with violence,

   and you sinned.

So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God,

   and I expelled you, guardian cherub,

   from among the fiery stones.

17 Your heart became proud

   on account of your beauty,

and you corrupted your wisdom

   because of your splendor.

So I threw you to the earth;

   I made a spectacle of you before kings.

18 By your many sins and dishonest trade

   you have desecrated your sanctuaries.

So I made a fire come out from you,

   and it consumed you,

and I reduced you to ashes on the ground

   in the sight of all who were watching.

19 All the nations who knew you

   are appalled at you;

you have come to a horrible end

   and will be no more.’”"

Ezekiel 28:1-19 NIV

It is because this section is oft quoted and cited only in part that the whole is now placed here. This entire passage is about a king who is called a cherub so the entire section is relevant reading. (As is the greater context.)

"15 Then he measured the length of the building facing the courtyard at the rear of the temple, including its galleries on each side; it was a hundred cubits.

The main hall, the inner sanctuary and the portico facing the court, 16 as well as the thresholds and the narrow windows and galleries around the three of them—everything beyond and including the threshold was covered with wood. The floor, the wall up to the windows, and the windows were covered. 17 In the space above the outside of the entrance to the inner sanctuary and on the walls at regular intervals all around the inner and outer sanctuary 18 were carved cherubim and palm trees. Palm trees alternated with cherubim. Each cherub had two faces: 19 the face of a human being toward the palm tree on one side and the face of a lion toward the palm tree on the other. They were carved all around the whole temple. 20 From the floor to the area above the entrance, cherubim and palm trees were carved on the wall of the main hall.

21 The main hall had a rectangular doorframe, and the one at the front of the Most Holy Place was similar. 22 There was a wooden altar three cubits[l] high and two cubits square[m]; its corners, its base[n] and its sides were of wood. The man said to me, “This is the table that is before the Lord.” 23 Both the main hall and the Most Holy Place had double doors. 24 Each door had two leaves—two hinged leaves for each door. 25 And on the doors of the main hall were carved cherubim and palm trees like those carved on the walls, and there was a wooden overhang on the front of the portico. 26 On the sidewalls of the portico were narrow windows with palm trees carved on each side. The side rooms of the temple also had overhangs."

Ezekiel 41:15-26 NIV

An exhilarating episode of measuring everything.

### Hebrews

Dates

"5 Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now."

Hebrews 9:5 NIV

## Connections

### The Living Creatures

Note the similarities between the living creatures of Ezekiel and the Cherubim of Ezekiel with the living creatures of Revelation.

### Seraphim

Note the overlap in roles that the Seraphim and Cherubim have. Note Similarities in their descriptions.

### Ophanim

Note the bizarre relationship that Ezekiel describes between the cherubim and the ophanim. Note 1 Chronicles 28:18 NIV calling cherubim chariot.

### Chariots of Fire/ Horses of Fire/ Horses

Would like to explore possible connections between the cherubim/ophanim and the fiery horses and chariots. See notes above about cherub/chariot connection.

### Lamassu

The imposing throne guardians of Babylon. The are composed of the same 4 creatures that the cherubim are. Though Ezekiel's cherubim have hands while the Lamassu do not. Lamassu only have two wings and do not use them to cover their feet. There is allegedly a etymological connection between cherubim and lamassu.

### Other Tetramorphs

There are a number of chimeric creatures throughout mythologies across the middle east and the world. Some of these are alleged to have connections. The Sphinx, the gryphon, the phoenix, the cherubim, the lamassu. The are all composite winged creatures etc. etc. I am very interested in how the family tree of these supernatural beasts is alleged to be structured.