Cherubim כרובים: What the Cherubim Reveal about God’s Throne, Presence, and Worship
The term cherubim (כרובים) appears ninety-one times in the Hebrew Bible and names Israel’s version of a well-known ancient Near Eastern figure—the winged, hybrid guardian often called a sphinx in iconography. In Scripture the cherubim serve two major roles: guardians (of Eden’s approach, of the sanctuary’s holiness) and bearers or attendants of the divine throne. While scholars debate the word’s etymology, many connect cherub/cherubim with Akkadian kāribu/kurību, protective genii. That connection, however, only goes so far: the Bible gives the cherubim a distinctly Israelite significance that centers on Yahweh’s kingship, holiness, and presence.
This article synthesizes the biblical witness and iconographic background to explain what the cherubim mean for God’s throne and presence, how Solomon’s Temple and the Priestly Tabernacle present them, how Ezekiel’s throne-chariot develops the theme, and why all of this matters for Christian worship and the Gospel’s vision of God’s reign “on earth as in heaven.”
1. Cherubim (כרובים) as Israel’s Guardian–Throne Bearers
Two anchor functions organize the Bible’s presentation.
Guardians of holy space
After Eden’s fall, cherubim wield a flaming sword to guard the way to the tree of life (Genesis 3:24).
In temple and visionary imagery, carved or woven cherubim frame sacred zones (1 Kings 6:29–35; Ezekiel 41:18–25). Their very presence signals “keep out unless cleansed.”
Carriers and attendants of the throne
God is repeatedly hailed as the One “enthroned upon the cherubim” (1 Samuel 4:4; 2 Samuel 6:2; Isaiah 37:16; Psalms 80:1; 99:1).
This title communicates royal majesty (Yahweh of Hosts), holiness (the guarded approach), and true presence (the God who dwells with his people).
Iconographic backdrop, transformed
Ancient Near Eastern sphinx-thrones seat human kings or gods. Israel receives the form but empties the seat of any image: the invisible Lord reigns. The cherubim thus serve Israel’s aniconism—no sculpted deity, yet real divine presence.
Takeaway: the cherubim dramatize the paradox of biblical worship: nearness and otherness—God enthroned among his people, yet guarded in holy fire.
2. Temple vs. Tabernacle: One Theology, Two Presentations
Scripture distinguishes the Solomonic Temple’s colossal cherubim from the Priestly Tabernacle’s small, facing figures on the ark’s lid.
Solomon’s Temple (1 Kings 6–8; 2 Chronicles 3)
Two ten-cubit cherubim stand in the inner sanctuary, parallel, with outstretched wings touching in the center and reaching the walls.
The ark of the covenant sits beneath their joined wings—described elsewhere as God’s footstool (1 Chronicles 28:2).
The combined message: an empty throne (no image) over the ark, the place of God’s feet. God is present and reigning, yet invisible and uncontained.
Priestly Tabernacle (Exodus 25)
Two much smaller cherubim are forged of one piece with the kappōret (mercy seat). They face each other, wings overshadowing the lid.
From between the cherubim God speaks (Exodus 25:22).
Here the emphasis leans toward guarded mediation—the voice of the Kabod (Glory) addressing Israel.
Shared theological center
Both presentations affirm aniconism (no divine statue) and presence (speech, throne, footstool).
The cherubim mark the boundary of God’s holiness and the gift of God’s nearness.
Practical implication: biblical worship holds together reverent distance and grateful approach—humble access by the Lord’s appointed means.
3. Ezekiel’s Throne-Chariot: The Holy God on the Move
Ezekiel’s visions (chaps. 1; 8–11) intensify and mobilize cherubim imagery.
From throne to chariot
Ezekiel witnesses living creatures (explicitly identified as cherubim in chap. 10) supporting a crystal-like expanse and the throne above. The result is the famed throne-chariot (merkabah).
The point is not that God “rides” a cherub as a mount, but that God comes—the mobile presence who is not confined to Zion’s building.
Theophany tradition
Psalms celebrate the God who “comes” in storm and glory (e.g., Psalm 18:10–11; 104:3). Ezekiel fuses that theophany with temple iconography: the Holy King arrives to judge and to restore.
Exile and hope
As glory departs the defiled temple and later promises to return, the cherubim-chariot assures a scattered people that God’s presence is not locked to geography. He is free, sovereign, and faithful to his covenant.
Discipleship angle: in seasons of rupture, the Lord remains the coming God—holy, yet with his people; judging idols, yet restoring a purified worship.
4. Aniconism and Allegiance: The Empty Seat and the Living Word
The empty cherubim throne is not theological minimalism; it is confession.
Against images, for presence
Israel’s worship refuses to capture God in metal or stone; instead, God defines his presence by Word and Glory. The ark and the empty throne together preach: “Not what you see, but what God speaks.”
From Zion to all nations
Even when later “Name theology” stresses God’s dwelling in heaven, the cherubim title remains a claim of real royal presence. God is not a local deity; he is Lord over all.
Allegiance and formation
The cherubim’s guarding role trains us to renounce idols and keep holy boundaries; their throne-bearing role trains us to yield allegiance to the true King in public worship and private life.
Gospel connection: the invisible God makes himself known definitively in the incarnate Son—“the image of the invisible God”—yet still refuses our idols. In Christ the veil is torn; access is opened, not to tame God, but to meet him rightly.
5. From Eden to the New Jerusalem: Cherubim, the Cross, and Christian Worship
The arc of Scripture runs from guarded Eden to opened city-temple.
Eden closed, sanctuary guarded
Cherubim bar the way to life because sin corrupts worship (Genesis 3:24). Holiness protects life from defilement.
Cross and access
In the Gospel, the Holy One bears our uncleanness and breaks the barrier. The torn veil signals not that holiness is relaxed, but that holiness is fulfilled and sinners are purified to draw near.
Church as temple-people
By the Spirit, believers become a dwelling of God. Our worship should echo cherubim theology:
Reverence (God is holy; we do not trivialize his presence).
Confidence (God is near; we approach by the Son).
Obedient boundaries (we guard the house: truth, repentance, forgiveness).
Mission (from a holy center, blessing goes outward).
Eschatological hope
Ezekiel’s mobile throne points toward the day when God’s dwelling is with humanity in a renewed creation. The guardians no longer bar access because the Lamb has taken away sin; worship becomes unbroken adoration around the throne.
Summary of practice: let Christian worship be Word-filled, reverent, joyful, guarded by truth, and oriented to the King enthroned—the shape the cherubim have preached from Eden to Zion to exile and beyond.
Conclusion
The cherubim (כרובים) distill biblical worship: guarded holiness and real presence under the reign of the invisible yet enthroned Lord. In the Temple and Tabernacle they frame an empty throne above the ark; in Ezekiel they become a throne-chariot, declaring that the Holy King comes to judge and to save. Read through the Gospel, the cherubim’s message becomes invitation: through the crucified and risen Christ we enter the guarded place by grace, to adore the King whose throne fills heaven and earth and whose presence will dwell with his people forever.
Bible verses on cherubim, throne, and holy presence
“He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim…” (Genesis 3:24)
“Make two cherubim of gold… of one piece with the mercy seat.” (Exodus 25:18–22)
“He who is enthroned on the cherubim, shine forth.” (Psalm 80:1)
“The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim.” (Psalm 99:1)
“He bowed the heavens and came down… He rode on a cherub and flew.” (Psalm 18:10–11)
“He makes the clouds his chariot.” (Psalm 104:3)
“The ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord… who sits enthroned on the cherubim.” (2 Samuel 6:2)
“The cherubim spread out their wings… and the priests brought in the ark of the covenant.” (1 Kings 8:6–7)
“This was the living creature that I had seen… and I knew that they were cherubim.” (Ezekiel 10:20)
“O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God.” (Isaiah 37:16)
