Cherubim

Cherubim were angelic beings of the highest rank associated with the immediate presence and glory of God, depicted throughout Scripture as guardians of sacred thresholds and bearers of the divine throne-chariot. After the expulsion from Eden, God stationed cherubim with a flaming, turning sword at the entrance to the garden to guard the way to the tree of life (Gen. 3:24). Two golden cherubim overshadowed the ark of the covenant in the Most Holy Place (Ex. 25:18-22), their wings spread above the mercy seat — the earthly throne between which God was said to dwell and be enthroned (1 Sam. 4:4; 2 Sam. 6:2; Ps. 80:1).

Ezekiel's inaugural vision (ch. 1) and later temple vision (ch. 10) describe four living creatures with four faces (human, lion, ox, eagle) who bear God's chariot-throne; these are explicitly identified as cherubim in Ezekiel 10:15-20. The tabernacle veil and the temple walls and doors were decorated with images of cherubim (Ex. 26:31; 1 Kings 6:29-35), making their presence a defining feature of sacred space. In Revelation, the four living creatures surrounding the divine throne (Rev. 4:6-8), crying 'Holy, holy, holy' in perpetual worship, echo and fulfill the Ezekielian cherubic imagery. Cherubim thus frame the entire biblical narrative — from the gate of Eden to the throne of the Lamb.