Cherubim angels are spirits of divine wisdom. They are one of the highest choirs of angels mentioned in the Bible. Cherubim are guardians and throne-bearers of God. The word “cherubim” is derived from Latin and means “the fullness of knowledge.”
#1 Characteristic About Cherubim
Cherubim are guardians of holy places and things.
Garden of Eden
He expelled the man, stationing the cherubim and the fiery revolving sword east of the garden of Eden, to guard the way to the tree of life. Genesis 3:24
In the Book of Genesis, God sent cherubim to guard the entrance to the Garden of Eden to prevent the return of Adam and Eve into Eden, and for them to guard the tree of life. The flaming sword might have been used to instill fear in Adam and Eve and in anyone or anything else (e.g. demons) who tried to partake of the tree of life.
“God placed these powers, the Cherubim and the flailing sword of fire, to guard the way leading there. It was not without purpose that ‘flailing’ was added: the reason was to teach us that every way was barred to him since that sword was turning around and blocking every way leading there, sufficient to provide him with a reminder and fill him with constant fear.” + John Chrysostom
In a similar way, the apostle St. Paul reminds us in 1st Book of Corinthians to receive the Eucharist worthily (without defilement) during holy communion at Mass.
Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 11:27
Tabernacle of Moses
Make two cherubim of beaten gold for the two ends of the cover; Exodus 25:18
The tabernacle of Moses was God’s holy dwelling on earth during Mosaic times. It was built at the order of Moses with very specific instructions by God. Within the tabernacle was the Ark of the Covenant. Two cherubim made of gold were to be built on the mercy seat, which served as a lid for the ark of the covenant. The cherubim were built facing each other with their wings spread out, forming a throne for God.
“Cherubim: probably in the form of human-headed winged lions.” Source: USCCB
Make one cherub at one end, and the other at the other end, of one piece with the cover, at each end. Exodus 25:19
The cherubim, who were made of hammered gold at the instruction of God, were there to stand guard before the Divine presence, and their wings served as covering for the mercy seat. The mercy seat was a rectangular slab made of pure gold.
The cherubim shall have their wings spread out above, sheltering the cover with them; they shall face each other, with their faces looking toward the cover. Exodus 25:20
“The mercy seat was the place of God’s presence.” Source: CCC 433
Inner Sanctuary of Solomon’s Temple
In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim, each ten cubits high, made of olive wood. 1 Kings 6:23
What is interesting to note about the cherubim in Solomons’ Temple is that they towered in size compared to the cherubim that were built on the Ark of the Covenant. The cherubim were each ten cubits in height, or about 15 feet. For scale, the rim of a basketball goal is approximately 10 feet high from the playing surface.
The two cherubim were identical in size and shape. 1 Kings 6:25b
The cherubim were made of olive wood, and they were overlaid with gold. Their wings were outstretched, and they covered the Ark and the smaller cherubim. Their massive size was to provide reverence to the glory of God, and according to St. Bede, their wings signified that the cherubim were angels.
The priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place, the inner sanctuary of the house, the holy of holies, beneath the wings of the cherubim. The cherubim had their wings spread out over the place of the ark, sheltering the ark and its poles from above. 1 Kings 8:6-7
The cherubim were guardians of the Ark and of God’s divine presence. To delve deeper into the mystery of the cherubim, St. Bede said two cherubim were built because they signified the two testaments of the Bible. Their 10 cubits in length signified the 10 commandments, and their 5 cubits wingspan signified the 5 books of the Torah.
The cherubim, moreover, stretch out their wings as if to fly because angelic spirits always have their mind in readiness to comply with the Divine will. + St. Bede
The Mountain of God
Your commerce was full of lawlessness, and you sinned. Therefore, I banished you from the mountain of God; the cherub drove you out from among the fiery stones. Ezekiel 28:1
The prophet Ezekiel mocks the king of Tyre, who allowed himself to become inflated with pride from his wealth, power, and significance. He lost his dependence on God and even claimed himself to be a god. Thus, God drove him out (he was struck down).
Church Fathers like St. Augustine believed this passage may have also alluded to the devil’s fall from pride and him claiming that he was a god (Isa 14:12-15).
See these additional verses below for context. It seems plausible. And once again, the cherub angel is shown to be a powerful guardian of the divine presence of God.
With a cherub I placed you; I put you on the holy mountain of God, where you walked among fiery stones. Blameless were you in your ways from the day you were created, until evil was found in you. Your commerce was full of lawlessness, and you sinned. Therefore, I banished you from the mountain of God; the cherub drove you out from among the fiery stones. Ezekiel 28:14-16
#2 Characteristic About Cherubim
Cherubim are the throne-bearers of Almighty God.
God Enthroned Upon the Cherubim
The LORD is king, the peoples tremble; He is enthroned on the cherubim, the earth quakes. Psalms 99:1
God of Heaven and Earth
Sacred writers in the Old Testament often describe God as sitting “enthroned upon the cherubim.” Let us consider the meaning of the word. When we speak of Christ, we speak of “The Anointed One.” That is what Christ means. When we speak of cherubim, we speak of “the fullness of knowledge,'” that is what the word cherubim means.
“Those who translate the Hebrew words in Scripture say that “cherubim” means in Latin “the fullness of knowledge.” + St. Augustine
“LORD of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned on the cherubim! You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. It is you who made the heavens and the earth. Isaiah 37:16
The Wings of the Cherubim Form God’s Throne
The Lord’s throne on earth was the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was like a chest. The cherubim are angelic creatures combined with human-like and animal-like features (human head, lion’s body, eagle’s wings). The outstretched wings of the cherubim covered the Ark of the Covenant. The cherubim serve as the Lord’s throne-bearers. Their wings formed the Lord’s throne above (on top of) the Ark of the Covenant.
Consider these scripture verses about God being enthroned upon the cherubim.
King Hezekiah’s Prayer
Hezekiah prayed in the LORD’s presence: “LORD, God of Israel, enthroned on the cherubim! You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. It is you who made the heavens and the earth. 2 Kings 19:15
The Ark of God the LORD
David and all Israel went up to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath-jearim, of Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which was known by the name “LORD enthroned upon the cherubim.” 1 Chronicles 13:6
God Enthroned Upon the Cherubim in the Book of Psalms
Here are two verses that mention God being “enthroned upon the cherubim” in the Psalms. The glory of God shines forth, sending out beams of light. The cherubim help to signify the majesty, authority, and supremacy of God over all of creation.
O Shepherd of Israel, lend an ear, you who guide Joseph like a flock! Seated upon the cherubim, shine forth Psalms 80:2
The LORD is king, the peoples tremble; He is enthroned on the cherubim, the earth quakes. Psalms 99:1
Mercy Seat
Make two cherubim of beaten gold for the two ends of the cover; Exodus 25:18
According to St. Gregory the Great, the mercy seat on the Ark of the Covenant prefigures the Lord God becoming man. The Ark of the Covenant was God’s sign of intimacy with His people, the Israelites. The mercy seat was a golden slab, or lid of the covenant. Within the Ark were the Ten Commandments of God written on two stone tablets, a golden jar of manna, and the rod of Aaron that has blossomed. The Ark was a wooden chest (3.75 ft x 1.5 ft) plated in gold that served as a footstool for God.
Behind the second veil was the tabernacle called the Holy of Holies, in which were the gold altar of incense the Ark of the Covenant entirely covered with gold. In it were the gold jar containing the manna, the staff of Aaron that had sprouted, and the tablets of the covenant. Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the place of expiation. Hebrews 9:3-5a
The two golden cherubim Moses had built that were placed on top of the Ark were facing each other. The cherubim formed a throne for God. They were part of the mercy seat. The mercy seat may have been a place of atonement for sins. The cherubim’s wings were extended towards each other. The Ark’s design was given to Moses at Mount Sinai by the command of God, and served a holy place for the Divine presence.
Exodus
Here are two readings from the Book of Exodus about the cherubim Moses had built on the cover (mercy seat) on the Ark of the Covenant, at God’s command.
Make one cherub at one end, and the other at the other end, of one piece with the cover, at each end. The cherubim shall have their wings spread out above, sheltering the cover with them; they shall face each other, with their faces looking toward the cover. There I will meet you and there, from above the cover, between the two cherubim on the ark of the covenant, I will tell you all that I command you regarding the Israelites. Exodus 25:19-20; 22
Two cherubim of beaten gold were made for the two ends of the cover; One cherub was at one end, the other at the other end, made of one piece with the cover, at each end. The cherubim had their wings spread out above, sheltering the cover. They faced each other, with their faces looking toward the cover. Exodus 37:7-9
Samuel
These two verses from 1st and 2nd Samuel discuss significant moments of the Ark of the Covenant. In both verses, the Lord of hosts is enthroned upon the cherubim. The “Lord of hosts” is first mentioned at Shiloh. Shiloh is where the Ark of the Covenant was first kept, within the Tabernacle, and it served as a place of worship and sacrifice for the Israelites. The cherubim on the Ark were the heavenly throne-bearers for God.
The cherubim angels covered the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant.
So the people sent to Shiloh and brought from there the ark of the LORD of hosts, who is enthroned upon the cherubim. The two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, accompanied the ark of God. 1 Samuel 4:4
Then David and all the people who were with him set out for Baala of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which bears the name “the LORD of hosts enthroned above the cherubim.” 2 Samuel 6:2
#3 Characteristic About Cherubim
Cherubim are Spirits of Divine wisdom.
Cherubim’s Closeness to the Almighty God
It is interesting to note that in addition to their duties as guardians and throne-bearers, the cherubim are also known as spirits of Divine knowledge and wisdom.
“The sublime hosts are called Cherubim because they are filled with a knowledge which is most perfect since they are allowed to behold the glory of God most closely.” + St Gregory the Great
The cherubim angels are known to be filled with a vast amount of knowledge. It would seem this is because of their closeness to God who is the divine source of all knowledge. According to Fr. Chad Ripperger, the cherubim are known as “Lucentes” because they know many of the divine secrets of God in a preeminent way.
“Lucentes is a Latin word meaning shine, causing to shine, resplendent, or light.” Source: Dominion by Fr. Chad Ripperger
Notice the similarity between the sound of the wings of the cherubim and the voice of God Almighty speaking, which is the Word of God and the Wisdom of God.
The sound of the wings of the cherubim could be heard as far as the outer court; it was like the voice of God Almighty speaking. Ezekiel 10:5
Ezekiel’s Visions: The Four Living Creatures
Each living creature had four faces: the first a cherub, the second a human being, the third a lion, the fourth an eagle. Ezekiel 10:14
The prophet Ezekiel has parallel visions of four living creatures in Chapter One and Chapter Ten of the Book of Ezekiel. Although the cherubim are not specifically named in Chapter One, they are mentioned by name in Chapter Ten. The face of a cherub in Ezekiel Chapter Ten replaces the face of an ox in Ezekiel Chapter One.
- Ezekiel’s 1st Vision: Ezekiel Chapter One
- Ezekiel’s 2nd Vision: Ezekiel Chapter Ten
Church Fathers such as St. Jerome believed the four living creatures are symbolic of the four Gospels: St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke, and St. John. The many eyes that are prevalent on the four living creatures are symbolic of their knowledge and vigilance.
The Walls of Solomon’s Temple
The walls of the house on all sides of both the inner and the outer rooms had carved figures of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers. 1 Kings 6:29
It is a mystery of God that these mysterious four creatures the prophet Ezekiel identifies as cherubim in his visions are the same cherubim that adorned the walls of the Temple. St. Bede affirms the cherubim’s association with scripture and knowledge.
“Solomon makes cherubim in the temple walls when the Lord grants to his elect to guide their lives according to the rule of the holy Scriptures, which contain a great store of knowledge.” + St. Bede
Summary of Cherubim Bible Verses
| Book | Cherub | Cherubim |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis | 3:24 | |
| Exodus | 25:19 | 25:18-22; 26:1; 26:31: |
| Exodus | 37:8 | 36:8; 36:35; 37:7-9 |
| Numbers | 7:89 | |
| 1 Samuel | 4:4 | |
| 2 Samuel | 22:11 | 6:2; 22:11 |
| 1 Kings | 6:24-26 | 6:23; 6:25; 6:27-29; 6:32; 6:35 |
| 1 Kings | 7:29; 7:36; 8:6-7 | |
| 2 Kings | 19:15 | |
| 1 Chronicles | 13:6; 28:18 | |
| 2 Chronicles | 3:11-12 | 3:7; 3:10; 3:11-14; 5:7-8 |
| Psalms | 18:11 | 80:2; 99:1 |
| Sirach | 49:8 | |
| Isaiah | 37:16 | |
| Ezekiel | 9:3; 10:7; 10:9; 10:11; 10:14; | 10:1-6; 10:8; 10:15-16; 10:18-20; |
| Ezekiel | 28:14; 28:16;41:18 | 11:22 |
| Daniel | 3:55 | |
| Hebrews | 9:5 |
More About Angels
