![]() ![]() Cherubim support God’s throne. In Ezekiel’s visions, the throne of God rests above the cherubim.Cherubim guard things. When God expels Adam and Eve from Eden, he stations a cherub with a flaming sword to guard the pathway to the tree of life (Gn 3:24).Scripture also shows specific responsibilities given to some cherubim: There’s a great deal more detail I could go into here, but you should read Ezekiel’s descriptions for yourself in Ezekiel chapters 1 and 10. Cherubim are accompanied by mysterious “whirring wheels” (Ezek 10:9–11, 13).Cherubim have four wings, two of which cover their bodies (Ezek 1:11).Cherubim have human hands, possibly four of them (Ezek 1:8).Cherubim have stiff legs with calves’ feet (Ezek 1:6).Cherebim have a generally humanoid form (Ezek 1:5).Note: Ezekiel is describing a carved decoration in a vision, so it’s possible that the cherubim are merely carved in such a way that the viewer can only see two of the four faces. Two faces: man and lion (Ezek 41:18–19).Four faces: cherub, man, lion, and eagle (Ezek 10:14).Four faces: man, ox, lion, and eagle (Ezek 1:10).However, cherubim with multiple faces seem to have the faces of different creatures on the same body: Cherubim seem to have multiple faces, but the faces vary in number and nature.The most vivid descriptions of cherubim come from the prophet Ezekiel: They’re mentioned 33 times in the Bible, and only in the Old Testament. CherubimĬherubim (singular “cherub”) show up a bit more often in the Bible-and a good deal earlier. “Seraphim” is usually defined as “burning ones.” The few other times the Hebrew root of the word ( serap) shows up, it’s in reference to the “fiery serpents” that God sent to judge the children of Israel in the wilderness (Nu 21:6, Dt 8:15) or “flying serpents” that Isaiah talks about in two of his oracles (Is 14:29 30:6). At least one seraph plays a part in forgiving Isaiah of his sin. ![]()
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