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Grafted Biblical Concept · Concept

Cherubim

כְּרוּבִים · Keruvim

Cherubim are heavenly beings closely associated with God's throne, presence, sacred space, and guardianship.

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Primary Study

Grafted Bible Dictionary

Definition

Cherubim are heavenly beings closely associated with God's throne, presence, sacred space, and guardianship.
They should not be confused with later artistic depictions of chubby winged children.

Eden

Cherubim first appear guarding the way to the Tree of Life after humanity's expulsion.
See:
• Genesis 3:24

Tabernacle

Cherubim are depicted over the covenant" title="The Ark of the Covenant was the sacred chest placed in the Most Holy Place of the wilderness according to divine instruction.">Tabernacle and later the Temple.">Ark of the Covenant.
See:
• Israel from slavery in Egypt under Torah.">Moses.">Exodus 25:18–22
Their placement reinforces the throne-room imagery of the Most Holy Place.

Temple

Cherubim are prominently incorporated into Solomon's Temple.
See:
• 1 Kings 6

Divine Throne

God is poetically described as:
enthroned above or between the cherubim.
See:
• 1 Samuel 4:4
• Psalm 80:1
• Psalm 99:1

Ezekiel

Ezekiel's throne visions contain extraordinary living creatures later identified as cherubim.
See:
• Ezekiel 1
• Ezekiel 10
Editorial source: Grafted Bible Dictionary · Entry 128

Hebrew and Greek Word Study

Hebrew Word Study

כְּרוּבִים

Keruvim

Original Word
כְּרוּבִים
Transliteration
Keruvim

Hebrew Bible Usage

View All Hebrew Occurrences

Related Content9 items

Ark of the Covenant

The Ark of the Covenant was the sacred chest placed in the Most Holy Place of the Tabernacle and later the Temple.

Eden

Eden is the garden region in Genesis where God places the first humans.

Temple

The Temple was the central sanctuary associated with God's covenantal presence and Israel's worship in Jerusalem.

Angel

An angel is fundamentally a messenger. The Hebrew and Greek terms can refer to either human or heavenly messengers depending on context.

Seraphim

Seraphim are heavenly beings appearing explicitly in Isaiah 6 around God's throne.

CHERUBIM

Nave’s Topical Bible references for CHERUBIM.

Cherub

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 (Gen. 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 (Ex. 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 (Num. 7:89; 1 Sam. 4:4; Isa. 37:16; Ps. 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 Rev. 4:6. Those on the ark are called the "cherubim of glory" (Heb. 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 Yahweh. Some have regarded them as symbolical of the chief ruling power by which God carries on his operations in providence (Ps. 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 Yahweh in his manifestation of himself on earth. He dwelleth between and sitteth on the cherubim (1 Sam. 4:4; Ps. 80:1; Ezek. 1:26, 28).

Footstool

Connected with a throne (2 Chr. 9:18). Yahweh symbolically dwelt in the holy place between the cherubim above the ark of the covenant. The ark was his footstool (1 Chr. 28:2; Ps. 99:5; 132:7). And as heaven is God's throne, so the earth is his footstool (Ps. 110:1; Isa. 66:1; Matt. 5:35).

Living creatures

As represented by Ezekiel (1-10) and John (Rev. 4, etc.), are the cherubim. They are distinguished from angels (Rev. 15:7); they join the elders in the "new song" (5:8, 9); they warn of danger from divine justice (Isa. 6:3-5), and deliver the commission to those who execute it (Ezek. 10:2, 7); they associate with the elders in their sympathy with the hundred and forty-four thousand who sing the new song (Rev. 14:3), and with the Church in the overthrow of her enemies (19:4). They are supposed to represent mercy, as distinguished from justice, mercy in its various instrumentalities, and especially as connected with the throne of God, the "throne of grace."

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