The Cherubim In The Bible
Cherubim’s were first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis 3:24 (NIV), “After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.” The original meaning of the term cherubim is unclear amongst scholars, but thoughts are that it means either gatekeeper or intercessor (Hays, 2010, p. 202). “The function ascribed to these heavenly servants of God's Majesty is that of throne-bearers, or "carriers", of His Divine Majesty” (Knight, 2012). A consistent theme of the cherubim is the depiction of them guarding the entrance of places where God meets His children (Hays, 2010, p. 202). The four living creatures Ezekiel describes are later revealed to be cherubim. The cherubim’s have four wings, bright as
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fire and flying back and forth with rapidity of lightening. Ezekiel continues to describe the wheels that the cherubim are on in there uniqueness. He called it the throne-vehicle. The mobility of the throne-vehicle is remarkable, and is similar to a chariot, but the throne-vehicle is flexible in going in all directions with ease. Then Ezekiel describes the glory of God, as the one whom is sitting above the wheels of the throne-vehicle, and His glory is overwhelming (Hays, 2010, p. 202).
Seraphim
Seraphim were first mentioned in Isaiah 6, as “the glory and holiness of Yahweh is being revealed” (Hays, 2010, p.
202). Isaiah 6:2 describes, “Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.” This imagery alludes to the seraphim flying around the throne of Yahweh. The seraphim are similar to the cherubim, the difference is the seraphim has six wings, and the cherubim has four (Hays, 2010, p. 203). Revelation 4:8 also mentions seraphim, describing them as six winged creature that are covered with eyes. Day and night the seraphim are singing, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,' who was, and is, and is to come.”
The Bible mentions in Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Revelation similarities of the cherubim and seraphim. They both are described as being covered with eyes, having wings, and they worship God day and night (Hays, 2010, pp. 202-203). Yahweh is showing His Almighty power when he reveals the cherubim, seraphim, and the His glory to Ezekiel. This helps us understand that God is not only in the temple, but He is everywhere in the earth (Hays, 2010, p.
202).
Other mentions of the cherubim’s, were when God asked Moses and the Israelites (Exodus 25: 18-19) to build golden cherubim’s to sit on either side of the mercy seat on the ark of the covenant, and to include them as a part of the decorations in the temple (Exodus 26:1). Yahweh showcases cherubim’s in the Solomonic temple. In Isaiah 37:16, King Hezekiah describes, Yahweh as being engulfed between the cherubim’s as he prayed. Additionally, Psalm 18:10 described, “Yahweh as flying on the wings of the cherubim” (Hays, 2010, p. 203). “According to 1 Kings 6 and 7, cherubim were engraved apparently as an artistic "motif" in wood and metal. The panelling of the Temple, both interior and exterior, was covered with them” (Knight, 2012).
The description of the four living creatures the cherubim and the seraphim are simply amazing. Who else, but God can create an angelic being with a head of an ox, man, lion, and eagle, and has eyes covering every inch of its body to keep an eye on His children and to protect us. When we read of creations like these, it should give us a deeper understanding of how powerful God is. This why we can never figure God out, because we cannot even grasp the understanding of why he created a four headed creature to honor and to praise Him, and be His transportation to bring forth a messages to His prophets. Only God could do something this amazing!
Reference
fire and flying back and forth with rapidity of lightening. Ezekiel continues to describe the wheels that the cherubim are on in there uniqueness. He called it the throne-vehicle. The mobility of the throne-vehicle is remarkable, and is similar to a chariot, but the throne-vehicle is flexible in going in all directions with ease. Then Ezekiel describes the glory of God, as the one whom is sitting above the wheels of the throne-vehicle, and His glory is overwhelming (Hays, 2010, p. 202).
Seraphim
Seraphim were first mentioned in Isaiah 6, as “the glory and holiness of Yahweh is being revealed” (Hays, 2010, p.
202). Isaiah 6:2 describes, “Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.” This imagery alludes to the seraphim flying around the throne of Yahweh. The seraphim are similar to the cherubim, the difference is the seraphim has six wings, and the cherubim has four (Hays, 2010, p. 203). Revelation 4:8 also mentions seraphim, describing them as six winged creature that are covered with eyes. Day and night the seraphim are singing, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,' who was, and is, and is to come.”
The Bible mentions in Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Revelation similarities of the cherubim and seraphim. They both are described as being covered with eyes, having wings, and they worship God day and night (Hays, 2010, pp. 202-203). Yahweh is showing His Almighty power when he reveals the cherubim, seraphim, and the His glory to Ezekiel. This helps us understand that God is not only in the temple, but He is everywhere in the earth (Hays, 2010, p.
202).
Other mentions of the cherubim’s, were when God asked Moses and the Israelites (Exodus 25: 18-19) to build golden cherubim’s to sit on either side of the mercy seat on the ark of the covenant, and to include them as a part of the decorations in the temple (Exodus 26:1). Yahweh showcases cherubim’s in the Solomonic temple. In Isaiah 37:16, King Hezekiah describes, Yahweh as being engulfed between the cherubim’s as he prayed. Additionally, Psalm 18:10 described, “Yahweh as flying on the wings of the cherubim” (Hays, 2010, p. 203). “According to 1 Kings 6 and 7, cherubim were engraved apparently as an artistic "motif" in wood and metal. The panelling of the Temple, both interior and exterior, was covered with them” (Knight, 2012).
The description of the four living creatures the cherubim and the seraphim are simply amazing. Who else, but God can create an angelic being with a head of an ox, man, lion, and eagle, and has eyes covering every inch of its body to keep an eye on His children and to protect us. When we read of creations like these, it should give us a deeper understanding of how powerful God is. This why we can never figure God out, because we cannot even grasp the understanding of why he created a four headed creature to honor and to praise Him, and be His transportation to bring forth a messages to His prophets. Only God could do something this amazing!
Reference