Definition and Etymology:
The term "cherub" (plural: cherubim) is derived from the Hebrew word "כְּרוּב" (kerub). In biblical literature, cherubim are celestial beings associated with the presence and majesty of God. They are often depicted as guardians of sacred spaces and are integral to the imagery of divine worship and protection.

Biblical References and Descriptions:
Cherubim are mentioned numerous times throughout the Bible, often in contexts that emphasize their role as protectors and attendants of God's glory. They are first introduced in Genesis 3:24, where God places cherubim at the east of the Garden of Eden, along with a flaming sword, to guard the way to the tree of life: "So He drove out the man and stationed cherubim on the east side of the Garden of Eden, along with a whirling sword of flame to guard the way to the tree of life" .

In the construction of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, cherubim are prominently featured. Exodus 25:18-22 describes the design of the Ark of the Covenant, which includes two cherubim made of gold: "And make two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the mercy seat. Make one cherub at one end and the second cherub at the other end; make the cherubim of one piece with the mercy seat at its two ends" . These cherubim are depicted as having wings that overshadow the mercy seat, symbolizing God's throne and His presence among His people.

The prophet Ezekiel provides a vivid description of cherubim in his visions. In Ezekiel 1:5-11, they are described as having four faces and four wings, with the likeness of a man. Their appearance is both awe-inspiring and complex, reflecting their role as bearers of God's glory and executors of His will.

Symbolism and Theological Significance:
Cherubim are often associated with the holiness and unapproachable majesty of God. Their presence in the Holy of Holies, the innermost sanctuary of the Tabernacle and Temple, underscores the sacredness of the space where God chose to dwell among His people. The imagery of cherubim in the Bible serves to remind believers of the transcendence and immanence of God, who is both above all creation and intimately involved with His covenant people.

In Christian theology, cherubim are sometimes seen as symbols of divine wisdom and knowledge. Their multiple faces and wings suggest a capacity to perceive and move in ways beyond human understanding, reflecting the omniscience and omnipresence of God.

Artistic Depictions:
Throughout history, cherubim have been depicted in various forms of Christian art, often as angelic beings with wings. In Western art, they are sometimes portrayed as chubby, childlike figures, though this representation diverges from the more formidable and majestic descriptions found in Scripture.

Conclusion:
The cherubim hold a significant place in biblical theology and iconography, representing the divine presence and the mystery of God's interaction with the world. Their role as guardians and attendants of God's throne continues to inspire reverence and awe among believers.Cherub

apparently a place in Babylonia from which some persons of doubtful extraction returned to Judea with Zerubbabel. (Ezra 2:59; Nehemiah 7:61)

Cherub

Plural CHERUBIM, an order of celestial beings or symbolical representations often referred to in the Old Testament and in the book of Revelation. The cherubim are variously represented as living creatures, Ezekiel 1:1-28 Revelation 4:1-11; or as images wrought in tapestry, gold, or wood, Exodus 36:35 37:7 Ezekiel 41:25; as having one, two, or four faces, Exodus 25:20 Ezekiel 10:14 41:18; as having two, four, or six wings, 1 Kings 6:27 Ezekiel 1:6 Revelation 4:8; in the simplest form, as in the golden figures above the ark of the covenant; or in the most complex and sublime form, as in Ezekiel's wonderful visions of the glory of God-discerning and ruling all things, and executing irresistibly and with the speed of thought all his wise and just decrees, Ezekiel 1:1-28 10:1-22. The fullest of these descriptions represents the cherub as a winged figure, like a man in form, full of eyes, and with a fourfold head-of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle-with wheels turning every way, and speed like the lightning; presenting the highest earthly forms and powers of creation in harmonious and perfect union, Ezekiel 1:1-28 10:1-22 Revelation 1:4-11. Usually also the cherubim stand in a special nearness to God; they are engaged in the loftiest adoration and service, moving in instant accordance with his will, Psalm 18:10 Ezekiel 1:26 10:20 Revelation 4:1-11; they are seen in the temple inseparably associated with the mercy-seat-made of the same mass of pure gold, Exodus 25:19, bending reverently over the place of God's presence, Psalm 99:1, where he met his people, Numbers 7:89, accepted the blood of atonement, Le 16:14-16, and shone forth as their Savior, Psalm 80:1.

Plural cherubim, the name of certain symbolical figures frequently mentioned in Scripture. They are first mentioned in connection with the expulsion of our first parents from Eden (Genesis 3:24). There is no intimation given of their shape or form. They are next mentioned 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" (25:22). This expression was afterwards 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 (10:1-20) they appear as living creatures supporting the throne of God. From Ezekiel's description of them (1;10; 41:18, 19), they appear to have been compound figures, unlike any real object in nature; artificial images possessing the features and properties of several animals. Two cherubim were placed on the mercy-seat of the ark; two of colossal size overshadowed it in Solomon's temple. 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.

The cherubim were symbolical. They were intended to represent spiritual existences 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.

Their office was, (1) on the expulsion of our first parents from Eden, to prevent all access to the tree of life; and (2) to form the throne and chariot of Jehovah in his manifestation of himself on earth. He dwelleth between and sitteth on the cherubim (1 Samuel 4:4; Psalm 80:1; Ezek. 1:26, 28).

1. (n.) A mysterious composite being, the winged footstool and chariot of the Almighty, described in Ezekiel i. and x.

2. (n.) A symbolical winged figure of unknown form used in connection with the mercy seat of the Jewish Ark and Temple.

3. (n.) One of a order of angels, variously represented in art. In European painting the cherubim have been shown as blue, to denote knowledge, as distinguished from the seraphim (see Seraph), and in later art the children's heads with wings are generally called cherubs.

4. (n.) A beautiful child; -- so called because artists have represented cherubs as beautiful children.

CHERUB

ke'-rub (kerubh, Cheroub, Charoub): A place in Babylonia from which people whose genealogies had fallen into confusion went up at the return from exile (Ezra 2:59 Nehemiah 7:61); unidentified. In 1 Esdras 5:36 we read "Charaathalan leading them, and Allar," a phrase that seems to have arisen through confusion of the names in the passages cited above.

3742. kerub -- probably an order of angelic beings
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition probably an order of angelic beings
NASB Word Usage cherub (25), cherubim (65). cherub, plural cherubims. ...
/hebrew/3742.htm - 6k

3743. Kerub -- a place in Babylon
... 3742, 3743. Kerub. 3744 . a place in Babylon. Transliteration: Kerub Phonetic
Spelling: (ker-oob') Short Definition: Cherub. ... NASB Word Usage Cherub (2). ...
/hebrew/3743.htm - 6k

Another Cavil Met, IE , the Devil who Instigated Man to Sin ...
... Chapter X."Another Cavil Met, ie, the Devil Who Instigated Man to Sin Himself the
Creature of God Nay, the Primeval Cherub Only Was God's Work. ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter x another cavil met i e.htm

Demonstration v. --Of Wars.
... But when his heart was lifted up, the cherub who overshadoweth, destroyed him. ... [759]
For the king, who was anointed with the holy oil, was called a Cherub. ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration v of wars.htm

The Carnal Mind Enmity against God
... Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so; thou wast upon
the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the carnal mind enmity against.htm

Of the Fall of the Devil and the Angels.
... Thou wast a cherub stretched out and protecting, and I set thee in the holy mountain
of God, thou hast walked in the midst of the stones of fire. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter viii of the fall 2.htm

Whether the Highest Angel among those who Sinned was the Highest ...
... For it is stated (Ezech.28:14): "Thou wast a cherub stretched out, and protecting,
and I set thee in the holy mountain of God." Now the order of the Cherubim ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the highest angel among.htm

The Origin of Evil
... Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering. . .
.Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 29 the origin of.htm

The Origin of Evil.
... Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering."
"Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /29 the origin of evil.htm

"It is Finished"
... 12. Lucifer had been the covering cherub. ... God; . . . I will destroy thee, O
covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. . . . ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 79 it is finished.htm

The Bereavements of the Christian Home. [A]
... The spoiler set His seal of silence. But there beamed a smile So fixed, so
holy, from that cherub brow, Death gazed"and left it there. ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xxvi the bereavements of.htm

Our Lord's Prayer for his People's Sanctification
... His love hath wings as well as feet: it is true of him evermore, "He rode upon a
cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind." O beloved ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/our lords prayer for his.htm

Cherub (21 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CHERUB. ...Cherub (21 Occurrences). Exodus 25:19
Make one cherub at the one end, and one cherub at the other end. ...
/c/cherub.htm - 18k

Cherub-addan (1 Occurrence)
Cherub-addan. Cherub, Cherub-addan. Cherub-addon . Multi-Version Concordance
Cherub-addan (1 Occurrence). Ezra 2:59 And these are ...
/c/cherub-addan.htm - 6k

Cherub-addon (1 Occurrence)
Cherub-addon. Cherub-addan, Cherub-addon. Cherubic . Multi-Version
Concordance Cherub-addon (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah ...
/c/cherub-addon.htm - 6k

Wing (18 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 6:24 Five cubits was the one wing of the cherub, and five cubits the other
wing of the cherub: from the uttermost part of the one wing to the uttermost ...
/w/wing.htm - 15k

Cherubims (19 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 10:7 And one cherub stretched forth his hand from between the cherubims
unto the fire that was between the cherubims, and took thereof, and put it into ...
/c/cherubims.htm - 11k

Cherubs (52 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Cherub. Multi-Version Concordance
Cherubs (52 Occurrences). Genesis 3:24 So he drove out ...
/c/cherubs.htm - 22k

Reaching (22 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 3:11 The wings of the cherubim were twenty cubits long: the wing of
the one cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house; and the ...
/r/reaching.htm - 12k

Ark-cover (21 Occurrences)
... Exodus 25:19 And make one cherub at the one end, and one cherub at the other end:
of one piece with the mercy-seat shall ye make the cherubim on the two ends ...
/a/ark-cover.htm - 12k

Mercy-seat (23 Occurrences)
... Exodus 25:19 And make one cherub at the one end, and one cherub at the other end:
of one piece with the mercy-seat shall ye make the cherubim on the two ends ...
/m/mercy-seat.htm - 16k

Ends (108 Occurrences)
... Exodus 25:19 Make one cherub at the one end, and one cherub at the other end. ... Exodus
37:8 one cherub at the one end, and one cherub at the other end. ...
/e/ends.htm - 36k

What are cherubim? Are cherubs angels? | GotQuestions.org

Is the king of Tyre prophecy in Ezekiel 28 referring to Satan? | GotQuestions.org

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Cherub: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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