Cherubim Cherub
Holman Bible Dictionary [1]
cherub cherubim Genesis 3:24 Ezekiel 10:3-22 Hebrews 9:5
Texts descriptive of the appearance and activities of cherubim reflect two contexts. One is in the visions of the presence of God attended by living creatures (cherubim and seraphim, Isaiah 6:2-6; Ezekiel 1:4-28; Ezekiel 10:3-22 ). The other is Temple worship and the representations of cherubim which were a part of its furnishings ( Exodus 25:18-22; 1 Kings 6:23-35; 2 Chronicles 3:7-14 ).
The most impressive of the Temple cherubim were the large sculptures (probably winged quadrapeds) in the holy of holies. If these were arranged as was common in the ancient Near East, the two cherubim would together form a throne. Their legs would be the legs of the throne, their backs the arm rests, and their wings the back of the throne. Consistent with the idea of a cherub throne are the texts which envision God dwelling between, enthroned upon, or riding upon the cherubim ( 1 Samuel 4:4; 2 Samuel 6:2; 2 Samuel 22:11; 2 Kings 19:15; 1 Chronicles 13:6; 1 Chronicles 28:18; Psalm 18:10; Psalm 80:1; Psalm 99:1; Isaiah 37:16 ). Even Ezekiel's vision depicts the glory of God resting upon or between the cherubim as something of a living throne.
Fully understanding Ezekiel's description of these creatures, however, is quite difficult. For one thing, his description of them is not complete enough to be unambiguous. Also, Ezekiel's cherubim bear as great a similarity to Isaiah's seraphim as they do to the Temple cherubim. However, a comparison of Ezekiel 1:1 and Ezekiel 10:1 with the Temple representations and with Isaiah's vision does clearly indicate that the function of these heavenly, living creatures was that of attending the presence of the living God. See Angels.
Michael Martin
Morrish Bible Dictionary [2]
Representatives of God's power in creation and judicial government. They were placed at Eden to keep the tree of life after the fall of man. Genesis 3:24 . They were depicted in needlework and in carving both in the tabernacle and the temple, and two of them with wings were represented as overshadowing the mercy-seat. Exodus 25:18-22; Exodus 26:1,31; Exodus 37:7-9; 1 Kings 6:23-35; 1 Kings 8:6,7 . In the visions of Ezekiel cherubim were seen in connection with the wheels, representing the glory and course of God's government in active judgement of Israel. They are called 'living creatures' in Ezekiel 1 , with the faces of a man (intelligence), of a lion (strength), of an ox (plodding endurance), and of an eagle (swiftness): see also Ezekiel 10 : where they are called 'cherubims,' and cf. Revelation 4:6-9 , etc., where in the A.V. the four living creatures are unhappily called 'beasts.'
The winged bulls which were placed at the entrances of the Assyrian palaces were probably traditions of the cherubim. In the Accadian language they were termed kirubu, and were thought to preserve the places from the entrance of evil spirits.
Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology [3]
See Angel
