Cherubim

How Nave’s arranged it

• Eastward of the garden of EdenGenesis 3:24
• In the tabernacleExodus 25:18–20Exodus 37:7–9
• The ark of the covenant rested beneath the wings of1 Kings 8:61 Kings 8:72 Chronicles 5:72 Chronicles 5:8Hebrews 9:5
• Figures of, embroidered
• On the walls of the tabernacleExodus 26:1Exodus 36:8
• And on the curtainExodus 26:31Exodus 36:35
• In the temple1 Kings 6:23–292 Chronicles 3:10–13
• Figures of
• On the curtain2 Chronicles 3:14
• On the walls1 Kings 6:29–352 Chronicles 3:7
• On the lavers1 Kings 7:291 Kings 7:36
• In Ezekiel's vision of the templeEzekiel 41:18–20Ezekiel 41:25

The passages, in Bible order (24)

The same references, sorted Genesis to Revelation. The first 16 are quoted in full; the rest are one click beneath them, book by book.

1. Genesis 3:24

   So He drove out the man and stationed cherubim on the east side of the Garden of Eden, along with a whirling sword of flame to guard the way to the tree of life.

   ›Commentary on Genesis 3:242 voices

   “So he drove out the man - Three things are noted here: 1. God’s displeasure against sinful man, evidenced by his expelling him from this place of blessedness; 2. Man’s unfitness for the place, of which he had rendered himself unworthy by his ingratitude and transgression; and, 3. His reluctance to leave this place of happiness. He was, as we may naturally conclude, unwilling to depart, and God drove him out. He placed at the east - מכדם mikkedem, or before the garden of Eden, before what may be conceived its gate or entrance; Cherubims, הכרבים hakkerubim, The cherubim.

   “He might justly have chased him out of the world, Job xviii, 18, but he only chased him out of the garden: he might justly have cast him down to hell, as the angels that sinned were, when they were shut out from the heavenly paradise, 2 Pet. ii, 4, but man was only sent to till the ground out of which he was taken. He was only sent to a place of toil, not to a place of torment.

   Everything gathered on Genesis 3:24→

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2. Exodus 25:18–20

   Make two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the mercy seat,

   ›Commentary on Exodus 25:18–202 voices

   “Thou shalt make two cherubims - What these were we cannot distinctly say. It is generally supposed that a cherub was a creature with four heads and one body: and the animals, of which these emblematical forms consisted, were the noblest of their kinds; the lion among the wild beasts, the bull among the tame ones, the eagle among the birds, and man at the head of all; so that they might be, says Dr. Priestley, the representatives of all nature. Concerning their forms and design there is much difference of opinion among divines.

   “The apostle calls them cherubim of glory shadowing the mercy-seat, Heb. ix. It denotes their attendance upon the Redeemer, to whom they were ministering spirits, their readiness to do his will, their special presence in the assemblies of saints ( Ps. lxviii. 10 ), and their desire to look into the mysteries of the gospel which they diligently contemplate, 1 Pet. i.

   Everything gathered on Exodus 25:18–20→

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3. Exodus 26:1

   “You are to construct the tabernacle itself with ten curtains of finely spun linen, each with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and cherubim skillfully worked into them.

   ›Commentary on Exodus 26:11 voice

   “(Compare Exo. 36:8-33.) The tabernacle was to comprise three main parts, the tabernacle Exo 26:1-6, more strictly so-called, its tent Exo 26:7-13, and its covering Exo 26:14 (Compare Exo 35:11; Exo 39:33-34; Exo 40:19, Exo 40:34; Num 3:25, etc.). These parts are very clearly distinguished in the Hebrew, but they are confounded in many places of the English Version (see Exo 26:7, Exo 26:9, etc.).

   Everything gathered on Exodus 26:1→

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4. Exodus 26:31

   Make a veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it.

   ›Commentary on Exodus 26:312 voices

   “The apostle tells us, this veil, intimated that the ceremonial law could not make the comers thereunto perfect. The way into the holiest was not made manifest while the first tabernacle was standing; life and immortality lay concealed till they were brought to light by the gospel, which was therefore signified by the rending of this veil at the death of Christ.

   “Thou shalt make a veil - פרכת parocheth, from פרך parach, to break or rend; the inner veil of the tabernacle or temple, (2Ch 3:14), which broke, interrupted, or divided between the holy place and the most holy; the Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was standing. Compare Heb 9:8. The Septuagint constantly render it by καταπετασμα. Does not the Hebrew name פרכת parocheth moreover intimate the typical correspondence of this veil to the body or flesh of Christ?

   Everything gathered on Exodus 26:31→

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5. Exodus 36:8

   All the skilled craftsmen among the workmen made the ten curtains for the tabernacle. They were made of finely spun linen, as well as blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, with cherubim skillfully worked into them.

   ›Commentary on Exodus 36:82 voices

   “Cherubims of cunning work - See on Exo 25:18 (note). Probably the word means no more than figures of any kind wrought in the diaper fashion in the loom, or by the needle in embroidery, or by the chisel or graving tool in wood, stone, or metal; see Clarke on Exo 25:18 (note). This meaning Houbigant and other excellent critics contend for.

   “This house was not made of timber or stone, but of curtains curiously embroidered and coupled together. This served to typify the state of the church in this world, the palace of God's kingdom among men. Though it is upon the earth, yet its foundation is not in the earth, as that of a house is; no, Christ's kingdom is not of this world, nor founded in it.

   Everything gathered on Exodus 36:8→

   Verse page →Original language →

6. Exodus 36:35

   Next, he made the veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it.

   ›Commentary on Exodus 36:351 voice

   “The veil made for a partition between the holy place and the most holy, signified the darkness and distance of that dispensation compared with the New Testament, which shews us the glory of God more clearly, and invites us to draw near to it; and the darkness and distance of our present state in comparison with heaven, where we shall be ever with the Lord, and see him as he is.

   Everything gathered on Exodus 36:35→

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7. Exodus 37:7–9

   He made two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the mercy seat,

   Verse page →Original language →

8. 1 Kings 6:23–29

   In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim, each ten cubits high, out of olive wood.

   ›Commentary on 1 Kings 6:23–292 voices

   “Cherubim - Besides those two made by Moses, Exod. xxv, 18, which were of gold, and far less than these. The Heathens set up images of their gods, and worshipped them. These were designed to represent the servants and attendants of the God of Israel, the holy angels, not to be worshipped themselves, but to shew how great he is whom we worship.

   “Two cherubims - The pattern of the tabernacle was followed (marginal reference), but without servile imitation. The original cherubs were entirely of gold. These, being so much larger, were of wood, merely overlaid with a golden plating. The arrangement of the wings, and the direction of the faces, seem also to have been different. Moses’ cherubim “covered with their wings over the mercy seat;” Solomon’s stretched out theirs to the full 1Ki 6:27, so that the four wings, each five cubits long 1Ki 6:24, extended across the whole sanctuary, the width of which was twenty cubits 1Ki 6:

   Everything gathered on 1 Kings 6:23–29→

   Verse page →Original language →

9. 1 Kings 6:29–35

   Then he carved the walls all around the temple, in both the inner and outer sanctuaries, with carved engravings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers.

   ›Commentary on 1 Kings 6:29–351 voice

   “Palms, cherubs, and flowers - the main decorations of Solomon’s temple - bear considerable resemblance to the ornamentation of the Assyrians, a circumstance which can scarcely be accidental. Within and without - i. e., both in the inner chamber, or holy of holies, and in the outer one.

   Everything gathered on 1 Kings 6:29–35→

   Verse page →Original language →

10. 1 Kings 7:29

    and on the panels between the uprights were lions, oxen, and cherubim. On the uprights was a pedestal above, and below the lions and oxen were wreaths of beveled work.

    ›Commentary on 1 Kings 7:291 voice

    “Base above - So he calls the upper-most part of the base: for though it was above, yet it was a base to the laver, which stood upon it. Additions - Either as bases for the feet of the said lions and oxen: or, only as farther ornaments.

    Everything gathered on 1 Kings 7:29→

    Verse page →Original language →

11. 1 Kings 7:36

    He engraved cherubim, lions, and palm trees on the surfaces of the supports and panels, wherever each had space, with wreaths all around.

    Verse page →Original language →

12. 1 Kings 8:6

    Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, beneath the wings of the cherubim.

    ›Commentary on 1 Kings 8:62 voices

    “The staves of the ark were drawn out, so as to be seen from under the wings of the cherubim, to direct the high priest to the mercy-seat, over the ark, when he went in, once a year, to sprinkle the blood there; so that still they continued of some use, though there was no longer occasion for them to carry it by.

    “That annual festival had been instituted in commemoration of the Israelites dwelling in booths during their stay in the wilderness, as well as of the tabernacle, which was then erected, in which God promised to meet and dwell with His people, sanctifying it with His glory.

    Everything gathered on 1 Kings 8:6→

    Verse page →Original language →

13. 1 Kings 8:7

    For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its poles.

    Verse page →Original language →

14. 2 Chronicles 3:7

    He overlaid its beams, thresholds, walls, and doors with gold, and he carved cherubim on the walls.

    Verse page →Original language →

15. 2 Chronicles 3:10–13

    In the Most Holy Place he made two cherubim of sculptured work, and he overlaid them with gold.

    ›Commentary on 2 Chronicles 3:10–131 voice

    The word translated “image work,” or, in the margin, “moveable work,” occurs only in this passage, and has not even a Hebrew derivation. Modern Hebraists find an Arabic derivation, and explain the word to mean “carved work.”

    Everything gathered on 2 Chronicles 3:10–13→

    Verse page →Original language →

16. 2 Chronicles 3:14

    He made the veil of blue, purple, and crimson yarn and fine linen, with cherubim woven into it.

    ›Commentary on 2 Chronicles 3:142 voices

    “This denoted the darkness of that dispensation, and the distance which the worshippers were kept at; but, at the death of Christ, this veil was rent; for through him we are made nigh, and have boldness not only to look, but to enter, into the holiest. On this he was wrought cherubim.

    “This is an important addition to the description in Kings, where the veil is not mentioned. It was made of exactly the same colors as the veil of the tabernacle Exo 26:31.

    Everything gathered on 2 Chronicles 3:14→

    Verse page →Original language →