Cherub
Supernatural being in Abrahamic religions, often depicted as a guardian.
A cherub (pl.: cherubim) is a type of supernatural being in the Abrahamic religions, most frequently occurring in the Hebrew Bible, where they appear numerous times. Their roles vary across traditions, including guarding the entrance to the Garden of Eden. The etymology of the word is debated; some scholars connect it to Assyrian terms for protective, intercessory beings or statues that plead with gods on behalf of humanity, while a folk etymology from the 3rd century links it to a Hebrew word for "youthful." In Jewish angelic hierarchies, cherubim are ranked low in one 12th-century system but high in later Kabbalistic works. Christian tradition, following a 6th-century text, places them in the highest angelic rank alongside Seraphim and Thrones. The Book of Ezekiel describes four "living creatures" with two pairs of wings and four faces—of a lion, an ox, a human, and an eagle—though in one chapter the ox face is replaced by that of a cherub, leading some to interpret cherubim as having bovine heads. Their legs are described as straight with hooves like a bull. In Islam, cherubim are the highest angels near God, distinct from messenger angels, and include the Bearers of the Throne and archangels. Later Jewish midrash sometimes conceives of them as non-corporeal. In Western Christian art, they became associated with the putto, depicted as small, plump, winged boys. Ancient Near Eastern art, such as Babylonian lamassu or Hittite griffins, shows hybrid winged creatures that may be related, often serving as guardians or bearing thrones. This iconography resonates with the idea of cherubim embodying God's throne.
- field
- Abrahamic religious traditions
- known_for
- Guardians of the Garden of Eden; transporting Yahweh's throne; images on the Ark of the Covenant
- first_occurrence
- Book of Genesis 3:24
- Hebrew_name
- כְּרוּב (kərūḇ), pl. כְּרוּבִים (kərūḇīm)
Lore & Background
The etymology of 'cherub' is debated. A folk etymology connecting cherub to a Hebrew word for 'youthful' is due to Abbahu (3rd century). According to Raanan Eichler, 'cherubim' may also relate to the Greek word 'grýps' (griphon). In the Hebrew Bible, cherubim first appear in Genesis 3:24 guarding the way to the Tree of life. In Exodus 25:18–22, God tells Moses to make multiple images of cherubim on the Ark of the Covenant. In Ezekiel 1 and 10, Ezekiel sees four 'living creatures' with four faces: a man, a lion, an ox (later replaced by the face of a cherub), and an eagle. Their legs were straight, with hooves like a bull, gleaming like polished brass. In 2 Samuel 22 and Psalm 18, a cherub participates in Yahweh's theophany as a vehicle upon which the deity descends.
Reader's Guide
Cherubim hold significance across Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. In Jewish angelic hierarchy, they have the ninth (second-lowest) rank in Maimonides' Mishneh Torah (12th century) and the third rank in Kabbalistic works such as Berit Menuchah (14th century). The Christian work De Coelesti Hierarchia places them in the highest rank alongside Seraphim and Thrones. In Islam, al-karubiyyin 'cherubim' or al-muqarrabin 'the Close' refers to the highest angels near God, including the Bearers of the Throne and the archangels. Their appearance remains debated; some early midrash conceives of them as non-corporeal, while later Western Christian tradition associates them with the putto derived from Cupid, resulting in depictions as small, plump, winged boys. The Israelite conception may not have been wholly consistent, as Ezekiel's tetramorph being may not be the same as the cherubim of the historic Israelites. William F.
Did You Know?
- The Hebrew word 'cherub' appears 91 times in the Hebrew Bible.
- In Ezekiel 10, the face of the ox is replaced by the face of a cherub.
- The folk etymology connecting cherub to a Hebrew word for 'youthful' is due to Abbahu (3rd century).
- In Islam, al-karubiyyin refers to the highest angels near God, including the Bearers of the Throne.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Cherub in Abrahamic tradition?
A cherub (Hebrew: kərūḇ, plural kərūḇīm) is a class of supernatural being found across Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, most widely recognized as a divine guardian figure. They are not a single character but a category of heavenly creature with recurring symbolic duties.
What roles do Cherubim serve in scripture?
They guard the entrance to the Garden of Eden, carry Yahweh's throne, and appear as carved or embroidered images flanking the Ark of the Covenant. These three functions—protection, transport of the divine throne, and sacred adornment—are their most prominent scriptural assignments.
Where do Cherubim first appear in the Bible?
Their earliest textual occurrence is Genesis 3:24, where they are stationed at Eden's eastern gate wielding a flaming sword to prevent humans from reaching the tree of life. This passage establishes their identity as boundary-keepers before later texts expand their roles.
How often do Cherubim appear in the Hebrew Bible?
They are the most frequently referenced heavenly creature in the Hebrew Bible, mentioned 91 times across its books. This high count places them well above other celestial beings in terms of textual presence.
Why are Cherubim important to Abrahamic religious thought?
They function as a shared symbolic vocabulary across all three major Abrahamic faiths, representing divine protection, the inaccessibility of God's presence, and the ordered structure of the heavenly realm. Their recurring imagery in temple art and liturgical tradition makes them one of the most recognizable supernatural figures in the tradition.
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