Lexical Summary
kerub: Cherub, Cherubim (plural)
Original Word:כְּרוּב
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:kruwb
Pronunciation:keh-ROOB
Phonetic Spelling:(ker-oob')
KJV: cherub, (plural) cherubims
NASB:cherubim, cherub
Word Origin:[of uncertain derivation]
1. a cherub or imaginary figure
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
cherub, plural cherubims
An angelic being -- cherub, (plural) cherubims.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originof uncertain derivation
Definitionprobably an order of angelic beings
NASB Translationcherub (25), cherubim (65).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
91 ; —
Exodus 25:19 26t.; plural
Psalm 99:1 33t.;
Exodus 25:18 29t.; (Late Hebrew
id.; Aramaic
√ dubious; Assyrian
karâbu =
be gracious to, bless Dl
HWB 350, but adjective
karûbu is
great, mighty, Id
ib. 352; on possibly connection with compare Dl in Baer
Ezech. Xiii.; Assyrian
kirubu =
šêdu (name of winged bull in Assyrian; see Len
Origines 1. 118, Eng. Tr. 126 Dl
Par 154) has not been verified, compare see F.
ZA i. 68 f. Budge
Expos. Apr. May, 1885 Teloni
Za vi, 124 ff.; the older view, connecting with and deriving from Persian
giriften,
griffen, lacks evidence and probability. — Possibly the
thunder-cloud underlies the conception); —
; possibly identified with the storm-windPsalm 18:11 =2 Samuel 22:11and he rode upon a cherub ("" flew swiftly on the wings of the wind).
as the guards of the garden of EdenGenesis 3:24 (J).
as the throne of Yahweh Sabaoth, in phraseYahweh Sabaoth throned on the cherubim1 Samuel 4:4;2 Samuel 6:2 =1 Chronicles 13:6; the context shews that the cherubim of the ark of the covenant are referred to, and it is probable that the same reference to, and it is probable that the same reference is in2 Kings 19:15 =Isaiah 37:16;Psalm 80:2;Psalm 99:1.
P gives an account of:
two cherubim of solid gold upon the slab of gold of the facing each other with wings outstretched above, so as to constitute a basis or throne on which the glory of Yahweh appeared, and from whence He spakeExodus 25:18-22;Exodus 37:7-9;Numbers 7:89;
numerous cherubim woven into the texture of the inner curtains of the tabernacle and the veilsExodus 26:1,31;Exodus 36:8,35
Kings and Chronicles describe :
two gigantic images of olive wood plated with gold, ten cubits high, standing in the facing the door, whose wings five cubits each, extended, two of them meeting in the middle of the room to constitute the throne, two of them extending to the walls1 Kings 6:23;-28;1 Kings 8:6;-7 2Chronicles 3:10;-13; 2 Chron 5:7;-8; Chronicles (doubtless influenced by Ezekiel) represents them as the chariot of Yahweh1 Chronicles 28:18;
images of cherubim were carved on the gold plated cedar planks which constituted the inner walls of the temple, and upon the olive wood doors1 Kings 6:29;-35 2Chronicles 3:7; and on the bases of the portable lavers, interchanging with lions and oxen1 Kings 7:29;-36; Chronicles also represents that they were woven in the veil of the 2Chronicles 3:14.
Ezekiel describes the cherubim:
as four living creatures, each with four faces, lion, ox, eagle, and man, having the figure and hands of men, and the feet of calves. Each has four wings, two of which are stretched upward, meeting above and sustaining the throne of Yahweh; two of them stretched downwards so as to cover the creatures themselves. The cherubim never turn but go straight forward, as do the wheels of the cherubic chariot, and they are full of eyes and are like burning coals of fire,Ezekiel 1:5;-28;Ezekiel 9:3;Ezekiel 10:1;-20;Ezekiel 11:22; the king of Tyre is scornfully compared with one of these, and is assigned a residence in Eden and the mountain of GodEzekiel 28:14;-16;
Ezekiel knows of no cherubic statues in the new temple, but represents the inner walls of the temple as carved with alternating palm trees and cherubim, each with two faces, the lion looking on one side, the man on the other. It is evident that the number and the form of the cherubim vary in the representations (compareEzekiel 41:18-25). It is probable that the ofIsaiah 6:2;-6 are another form of the cherubim. The Apocalypse of the seals Rev 4-6 combines them in four
Topical Lexicon
Identification and ScopeCherub (plural cherubim) designates a class of exalted heavenly beings who attend, support, and proclaim the presence of the LORD. Occurring about ninety-one times from Genesis through Ezekiel, they appear both as literal personages in visions and as patterned figures woven, carved, and overlaid with gold in Israel’s sanctuaries.
Principal Scriptural Landmarks
•Genesis 3:24—first mention, guardians at Eden’s eastern gate.
•Exodus 25–40—models for the Tabernacle, especially the Ark and curtains.
•1 Kings 6–8;2 Chronicles 3–5—massive cherubim in Solomon’s Temple.
• Psalms (notably 18, 80, 99)—the LORD “enthroned between the cherubim.”
•Isaiah 37:16—Hezekiah’s prayer acknowledging the same throne symbolism.
•Ezekiel 1; 10—prophet’s detailed vision equating “living creatures” with cherubim and portraying the departure of divine glory from the Temple.
Cherubim as Guardians of Sacred Space
Immediately after the fall, “He drove out the man and stationed cherubim to the east of the Garden of Eden, with a flaming sword turning in every direction to guard the way to the tree of life” (Genesis 3:24). They mark the boundary between sinful humanity and holy presence, a theme that echoes wherever God meets His people.
The Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat
On Mount Sinai Moses is told, “Make two cherubim of hammered gold at the two ends of the mercy seat” (Exodus 25:18). Their outspread wings and downward gaze depict reverent attendance, while the space between them becomes the earthly focal point of divine self-revelation: “There I will meet with you” (Exodus 25:22). Once yearly on the Day of Atonement the high priest sprinkles blood before these figures, prefiguring reconciliation ultimately fulfilled in Christ.
Artistic Depictions in the Sanctuary
Cherubic motifs permeate the Tabernacle curtains (Exodus 26:1) and veil (Exodus 26:31), announcing that access to God is granted only through His ordained means. In Solomon’s Temple two fifteen-foot-high olive-wood cherubim overshadowed the Ark (1 Kings 6:23-28), while carved cherubim adorned the walls, doors, furnishings, and even the bronze Sea (1 Kings 7:29;2 Chronicles 3:7). These representations reminded worshipers of the heavenly court surrounding the LORD.
Royal Throne Symbolism
Psalms repeatedly link Yahweh’s kingship with cherubic attendants: “He rode on a cherub and flew; He soared on the wings of the wind” (Psalm 18:10); “Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim” (Psalm 80:1); “He is exalted over all the peoples… He is holy” (Psalm 99:1-3). The imagery conveys mobility, sovereignty, and holiness, assuring Israel that the unseen God actively rules earth and heaven.
Prophetic Visions and Judgment
Ezekiel expands the portrait. In chapter 1 “four living creatures” exhibit four faces, four wings, and wheels within wheels full of eyes. In 10:20 the prophet identifies them: “These were the living creatures I had seen beneath the God of Israel by the Kebar River, and I realized that they were cherubim”. The departure of glory atop the cherubim foreshadows the Babylonian exile; yet by chapter 43 the glory returns, implying restoration. Cherubim thus herald both judgment and hope.
Messianic and Eschatological Overtones
Because the cherubim flank the mercy seat, their ministry anticipates the reconciling work of Jesus Christ. John uses similar imagery—“living creatures” ceaselessly praising God (Revelation 4–5)—to depict the heavenly throne room into which the Lamb enters. The cherubic chorus validates the crucified and risen Christ’s worthiness to open the scroll of history, assuring believers that redemption and consummation are certain.
Practical Ministry Implications
1. Holiness: The cherubim’s primary task is to guard and proclaim holiness. Christian worship and conduct must reflect the same reverence.
2. Atonement: Their position over the mercy seat underscores the necessity of substitutionary sacrifice, now fulfilled once for all in Christ’s blood.
3. Assurance: Scenes of the LORD riding, dwelling, and reigning among cherubim confirm His intimate yet transcendent rule over creation and history.
4. Hope: Ezekiel’s vision teaches that although sin drives away glory, repentance and divine grace restore fellowship.
Summary
The cherubim embody the intersection of heaven and earth. Whether standing sentinel at Eden, overshadowing the Ark, ornamenting the Temple, or supporting the fiery throne in prophetic vision, they testify that access to God is at once guarded and graciously granted—guarded because of His holiness, granted because of His covenant mercy, ultimately revealed in Jesus Christ.
Forms and Transliterations
הַכְּר֔וּב הַכְּר֖וּב הַכְּר֗וּב הַכְּר֣וּב הַכְּר֤וּב הַכְּר֥וּב הַכְּר֨וּב הַכְּרֻבִ֑ים הַכְּרֻבִ֔ים הַכְּרֻבִ֖ים הַכְּרֻבִ֗ים הַכְּרֻבִ֛ים הַכְּרֻבִ֤ים הַכְּרֻבִֽים׃ הַכְּרֻבִים֒ הַכְּרֻבִים֩ הַכְּרוּב֙ הַכְּרוּבִ֑ים הַכְּרוּבִ֔ים הַכְּרוּבִ֖ים הַכְּרוּבִ֛ים הַכְּרוּבִ֜ים הַכְּרוּבִ֣ים הַכְּרוּבִ֥ים הַכְּרוּבִֽים׃ הַכְּרוּבִים֒ הַכְּרוּבִים֙ הכרבים הכרבים׃ הכרוב הכרובים הכרובים׃ וְהַכְּרֻבִ֗ים וּכְרוּבִ֔ים וּכְרוּב־ והכרבים וכרוב־ וכרובים כְּ֝רוּבִ֗ים כְּ֭רוּב כְּר֔וּב כְּר֖וּב כְּר֣וּב כְּר֨וּב כְּרֻבִ֖ים כְּרֻבִ֛ים כְּרֻבִֽים׃ כְּרוּבִ֖ים כְּרוּבִ֣ים כְּרוּבִ֧ים כְּרוּבִֽים׃ כְּרוּבִים֙ כְּרוּב־ כְרֻבִ֖ים כְרוּבִ֖ים כרבים כרבים׃ כרוב כרוב־ כרובים כרובים׃ לִכְר֔וּב לַכְּר֗וּב לַכְּרֻבִ֑ים לַכְּרֻבִ֔ים לַכְּרֽוּב׃ לַכְּרוּבִ֑ים לַכְּרוּבִ֗ים לכרבים לכרוב לכרוב׃ לכרובים cheruVim hak·kə·ru·ḇîm hak·kə·rū·ḇîm hak·kə·rūḇ hakkərūḇ hakkəruḇîm hakkərūḇîm hakkeRuv hakkeruVim kə·ru·ḇîm kə·rū·ḇîm ḵə·ru·ḇîm ḵə·rū·ḇîm kə·rūḇ kə·rūḇ- kərūḇ kərūḇ- kəruḇîm kərūḇîm ḵəruḇîm ḵərūḇîm keRuv keruVim lak·kə·ru·ḇîm lak·kə·rū·ḇîm lak·kə·rūḇ lakkərūḇ lakkəruḇîm lakkərūḇîm lakkeRuv lakkeruVim lichRuv liḵ·rūḇ liḵrūḇ ū·ḵə·rū·ḇîm ū·ḵə·rūḇ- ucheruv ucheruVim ūḵərūḇ- ūḵərūḇîm vehakkeruVim wə·hak·kə·ru·ḇîm wəhakkəruḇîm
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