Winged, heavenly creatures represented in the tabernacle and the temple.
Description of the cherubim
Ezekiel 10:12–14 See also Ezekiel 1:4–14, Ezekiel 1:22–24, Ezekiel 10:5, Ezekiel 10:8, Ezekiel 10:21–22, Ezekiel 41:18–19; Revelation 4:6–8
Their entire bodies, including their backs, hands, and wings, were full of eyes all around, as were their four wheels. I heard the wheels being called “the whirling wheels.” Each of the cherubim had four faces: the first face was that of a cherub, the second that of a man, the third that of a lion, and the fourth that of an eagle.
Cherubim represented in the tabernacle and the temple
Cherubim as decorations
Exodus 26:1 See also Exodus 36:8; 1 Kings 6:29 parallel 2 Chronicles 3:7; 1 Kings 7:29, 1 Kings 7:36
“You are to construct the tabernacle itself with ten curtains of finely spun linen, each with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and cherubim skillfully worked into them.
Cherubim at the entrance to the inner sanctuary
Exodus 26:31–33, Exodus 36:35; 1 Kings 6:32, 1 Kings 6:35; 2 Chronicles 3:14
Cherubim over the ark of the covenant
Hebrews 9:5 See also Exodus 25:17–22, Exodus 37:7–9; Numbers 7:89; 1 Kings 6:23–28 parallel 2 Chronicles 3:10–13; 1 Kings 8:6–7 parallel 2 Chronicles 5:7–8; 1 Chronicles 28:18
Above the ark were the cherubim of glory, overshadowing the mercy seat. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.
Cherubim represented in Ezekiel's vision of the temple
Ezekiel 41:18, Ezekiel 41:20, Ezekiel 41:25
Cherubim represent the place of God's throne
1 Samuel 4:4 See also 2 Samuel 6:2 parallel 1 Chronicles 13:6; 2 Kings 19:15 parallel Isaiah 37:16; Psalm 80:1, Psalm 99:1; Ezekiel 10:1; Revelation 4:6, Revelation 5:6
So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the LORD of Hosts, who sits enthroned between the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
Cherubim as guardians
Genesis 3:24 See also Ezekiel 28:14, Ezekiel 28:16
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.
Cherubim as God's chariot
2 Samuel 22:11 parallel Psalm 18:10 See also 1 Chronicles 28:18
He mounted a cherub and flew; He soared on the wings of the wind.
Cherubim as agents of judgment
Cherubim remove God's glory
Ezekiel 9:3, Ezekiel 10:3–4, Ezekiel 10:15–19, Ezekiel 11:22–23
God's judgment poured out
Ezekiel 10:2, Ezekiel 10:6–7; Revelation 6:1–8 the living creatures release the four horsemen of God's judgment on earth; Revelation 15:7
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.