What do we know about the cherubim?

The word “cherubim” is the plural of the word “cherub.” We find the term “cherub” in the Bible before any reference to the heavenly hosts, when the Lord sets him as a guardian over Paradise so that Adam and Eve cannot not reach the tree of life after they fell into sin (Gen. 3:24).

The Old Testament nowhere says that the cherubim had any mission involving humanity, or that they serve us in any way; other than that the cherubim simply intercede on our behalf. They are close to God, distinguished by the knowledge of God and continuously praise Him without lukewarmness or ceasing. The cherubim are mentioned in the Holy Bible seventytwo times, whereas the seraphim are mentioned only in Isaiah’s vision (Chapter 6) where this vision inflames his heart to embark upon his service for the sake of God’s kingdom. This

678 Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty, St. John Chrysostom (Arabic), (1988): p. 32.

679 Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty, The Church, the House of God , rev., Nabieh Fanous, Riad Habib, Nermine Morcos, Mary Hanna, and Lilian Hanna (Sporting, Alexandria: St. George’s Coptic Orthodox Church, 1994): p. 205.

filled him with hope in the work of God, rather than that of humans. The cherubim are rich in knowledge and overflow with wisdom. They are portrayed as chariots of God who carry His divine throne.

St. Clement of Alexandria agrees with the Jewish Philo of Alexandria that the word, “cherub” means “knowledge” for through true spiritual knowledge, we become like chariots carrying God, enjoying the vision of God.

St. Jerome believes that a cherub is a symbol of the wealth of knowledge, at work in our nature, to elevate it to be among the heavenly powers. This knowledge works in our nature in four ways: like a lion , it exercises authority over our lusts; like an eagle, it soars high among elevated matters; like an ox , it strives in labor; and like a wise human behaves with wisdom in the Lord.⁶⁸⁰ This knowledge is granted to us when we live the life of the Gospel, indeed, of the four gospels, as St. Jerome says, “Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are the Lord’s quartet — the true cherubim are the storehouse of knowledge, for their bodies are filled with eyes that sparkle like lightning … their legs are straight and tall (Ezek. 1:7), their backs are winged and ready to fly in all directions (Ezek. 1:9). Every one of them holds onto the other as they walk according to the breath of the Holy Spirit (Ezek. 1:20).”⁶⁸¹