Cherubim

Nationality/Culture

Judeo-Christian and Islamic

Pronunciation

CHER-uh-bim

Alternate Names

None

Appears In

The Bible, the Torah

Lineage

Attendants to God

Character Overview

Cherubim (or cherub in the singular form) are winged creatures that appear as attendants to God in the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. Their main duties are to praise God and to support his throne, though their roles vary from culture to culture.

Cherubim were probably introduced into ancient Hebrew culture by the Canaanites. The Hebrews expanded the role of the cherubim somewhat. For example, in the book of Genesis in the Old Testament, cherubim guard the entrance to the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve are driven out of Paradise. Cherubim also protect the Ark of the Covenant (which contained the original tablets on which the Ten Commandments were inscribed), and God is described as riding on the back of a cherub. In general, cherubim represent the power and glory of the Hebrew god, Yahweh.

In Christian mythology, the cherubim are the second highest of the nine orders of angels , second only to the seraphim. The cherubim excel in wisdom and continually praise God. In Islamic mythology, the cherubim (or karibiyun) play much the same role, dwelling in heaven and constandy praising Allah, the Islamic god.

Scholars disagree about the origin of the word cherubim. It may have come from karabu, an ancient Near Eastern word meaning “to pray” or ”to bless,” or perhaps from mu-karribim, the guardians of the shrine of an ancient moon goddess.

Cherubim in Context

Whatever the origin of the name, the cherub itself can be traced to mythologies of the Babylonians, Assyrians, and other peoples of the ancient Near East. In these cultures, cherubim were usually pictured as creatures with parts of four animals: the head of a bull, the wings of an eagle, the feet of a lion, and the tail of a serpent. The four animals represented the four seasons, the four cardinal directions (north, south, east, and west), and the four ancient elements (earth, air, fire, and water). These original cherubim guarded the entrances to temples and palaces. In modern times, cherubim are thought of as the representation of pure, innocent love—God's love particularly. But biblical depictions of cherubim are not so gentle. They guard the gates of Eden with a flaming sword to keep Adam and Eve from returning.

Key Themes and Symbols

Cherubim are often portrayed as human figures having four wings, and they are usually painted blue, which signifies knowledge. Sometimes they feature the faces of other animals. In Jewish folklore of the Middle Ages, the cherubim were described as handsome young men. In Christian art, however, cherubim usually appear as children, most often as chubby, winged babies.

Cherubim in Art, Literature, and Everyday Life

Cherubim appear in many ancient illuminated manuscripts, as well as in many Renaissance paintings and sculptures. However, the images of cherubim are often confused with those of putti, which are winged infants that do not represent angels but instead symbolize love and innocence. These appeared often in Renaissance and later works, and have become the typical image of cherubim. In modern times, the word “cherub” is often used to describe an innocent-looking child, especially one with chubby or rosy cheeks. This type of representation was particularly popular in the decorative arts of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Plump, rosy-cheeked cherubs appeared on china, lampshades, pillowcases, upholstery, and other household items.

Read, Write, Think, Discuss

CHERUB is a series of novels written by Robert Muchamore about a group of teenage secret agents working for the British government. Like mythical cherubim, they serve as “guardian angels” for the citizens of the world, taking on terrorists and other evil forces. Their young age and seeming innocence allows them to work undetected by criminal organizations. The first volume of the series, CHERUB: The Recruit, was first published in the United Kingdom in 2004.

SEE ALSO Angels; Ark of the Covenant; Semitic Mythology