Banners in the Desert and the Cherubim around God's Throne

Cherubim are symbolic, composite angelic beings frequently mentioned in Scripture, often associated with the divine presence and protection ^{[3, 6]}. Their form is described as a composite creature, paralleling religious insignia found in ancient Assyria, Egypt, and Persia, such as sphinxes or winged bulls ^[2].

The earliest mention of cherubim in the Bible is in Genesis 3:24, where they are placed at the entrance of the Garden of Eden to guard the way to the tree of life after Adam and Eve's expulsion ^{[2, 6]}. While their exact shape is not detailed in this initial account, later descriptions provide more specific imagery. In Ezekiel's vision, cherubim are depicted with four wings, two stretched upward to support God's throne and two covering their own bodies ^[5]. They are described as having four faces—a human face, a lion's face, an ox's face, and an eagle's face—and their feet were like those of a calf ^[1]. Their movement is direct, never turning, and they are full of eyes, appearing like burning coals of fire ^[5]. The sound of their wings is compared to the voice of God ^[1].

Cherubim play a significant role in the design of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. Moses was commanded to fashion two golden cherubim, one at each end of the mercy seat, which was placed over the Ark of the Covenant ^{[2, 6]}. God promised to communicate with Moses "from between the cherubim" (Exodus 25:22), establishing this as a symbol of the divine abode and presence ^[6]. In Solomon's Temple, colossal cherubim overshadowed the Ark with their extended wings ^[2]. The walls of the outer sanctuary in Ezekiel's vision of the new temple also featured carvings of cherubim and palm trees ^[4]. John Calvin notes that the cherubim on the mercy seat, with their outstretched wings covering it, signified that images are unsuitable for representing divine mysteries, instead concealing them ^[12]. Hezekiah, in his prayer, invokes God as "enthroned above the cherubim," referring to this symbolic presence over the ark ^{[8, 10]}.

The symbolic nature of cherubim has been interpreted in various ways. Some scholars suggest their composite form signifies the union of royalty (lion) with strength (bull), speed (eagle), and sagacity (human), a common motif in ancient Near Eastern thrones where deities were often depicted supported by such creatures ^[11]. The prophet Isaiah describes seraphim, another class of angelic beings, as attending God, whom he calls "seraphim on account of their fervor" ^[9]. While distinct from cherubim, both are associated with God's throne and presence.

The concept of banners in the desert, particularly among the Israelite tribes, also carries symbolic weight. According to ancient Jewish tradition, each tribal banner bore a specific emblem. For instance, the banner of Reuben was said to have the form of a person, while Judah's banner featured a lion, referencing Jacob's blessing of Judah ^[7]. These ensigns served to identify each tribe and their position within the camp, reflecting an ordered structure around the central presence of God.

The cherubim, whether guarding Eden, flanking the mercy seat, or appearing in prophetic visions, consistently point to the majesty, holiness, and presence of God ^{[1, 3]}. They are animated by the Spirit of God and are engaged in accomplishing His purposes ^[1]. The imagery of cherubim thus serves as a powerful visual and theological motif throughout the biblical narrative, emphasizing divine sovereignty and the sacredness of God's dwelling place.

Sources

Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Cherubim — Form and appearance of -- Eze 1:5-11,13,14. Animated by the Spirit of God -- Eze 1:12,20. Engaged in accomplishing the purposes of God -- Eze 1:15,21; 10:9-11,16,17. The glory of God exhibited upon -- Eze 1:22,26-28; 10:4,18,20. Sound of their wings was as the voice of God -- Eze 1:24; 10:5. Placed at the entrance of Eden -- Ge 3:24. Of gold Formed out of, and at each end of the mercy seat. -- Ex 25:18-20. Placed over the ark of the covenant. -- 1Sa 4:4; 1Ki 8:6,7; 2Ch 5:7,8. God's presence manifested between. -- 2Sa 6:2; 2Ki 19:15; Ps 80:1; 99:1. The orac”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Cherub, Cherubim — The symbolical figure so called was a composite creature-form which finds a parallel in the religious insignia of Assyria, Egypt and Persia, e.g. the sphinx, the winged bulls and lions of Nineveh, etc. A cherub guarded paradise. (Genesis 3:24) Figures of Cherubim were placed on the mercy-seat of the ark. (Exodus 25:18) A pair of colossal size overshadowed it in Solomon's temple with the canopy of their contiguously extended wings. (1 Kings 6:27) Those on the ark were to be placed with wings stretched forth, one at each end of the mercy-seat." Their ”
STEPBible TBESG “[H3742] H3742 = (H3742) — 1) cherub, cherubim (pl) 1a) an angelic being 1a1) as guardians of Eden 1a2) as flanking God's throne 1a3) as an image form hovering over the Ark of the Covenant 1a4) as the chariot of Jehovah (fig.)”
Ezekiel “Ezekiel 41:20 (BSB) — Cherubim and palm trees were carved on the wall of the outer sanctuary from the floor to the space above the entrance.”
Brown-Driver-Briggs “[BDB H3742] kerub (part 3/3) — Each has four wings, two of which are stretched upward, meeting above and sustaining the throne of Yahweh; two of them stretched downwards so as to cover the creatures themselves. The cherubim never turn but go straight forward, as do the wheels of the cherubic chariot, and they are full of eyes and are like burning coals of fire, Ezek 1:5;-28; 9:3; 10:1;-20; 11:22; the king of Tyre is scornfully compared with one of these, and is assigned a residence in Eden and the mountain of God 28:14;-16; b. Ezekiel knows of no cherubic statues in the new temple, but repres”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Cherub — Plural cherubim, the name of certain symbolical figures frequently mentioned in Scripture. They are first mentioned in connection with the expulsion of our first parents from Eden (Gen. 3:24). There is no intimation given of their shape or form. They are next mentioned when Moses was commanded to provide furniture for the tabernacle (Ex. 25:17-20; 26:1, 31). God promised to commune with Moses "from between the cherubim" (25:22). This expression was afterwards used to denote the Divine abode and presence (Num. 7:89; 1 Sam. 4:4; Isa. 37:16; Ps. 80:1; 99:1). In”
Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Numbers 2:2: ACCORDING TO THE ENSIGNS. There were signs upon each and every standard. The ancients 3 The Talmudic sages. said that the banner of Reuben had the form of a person on it. 4 See Ba-Midbar Rabbah 2:6. Their statement is based on a midrashic interpretation concerning the mandrakes found by Reuben. 5 The mandrakes have the appearance of a person. See I.E. on Gen. 30:14. The ancients also tell us that there was an image of a lion on the standard of Judah, for Jacob had compared Judah to a lion. 6 See Gen. 49:9. They also tell us that the banner of Ephraim 7 The son ”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 3, section 5.21: Relying on this promise, I flee to thee as my guardian.” Hezekiah had in view, I have no doubt, the form of the ark, which was surrounded by two cherubim. Others interpret Cherubim to mean angels, as if it were said, that God reigneth in heaven and sitteth among the angels. But this interpretation is unsuitable; for he is said to “sit between the cherubim,” on account of the form of the ark, which was constructed in this manner. ( Exodus 25:18 .) We know that it was a symbol of the presence of God, though his power was not confined to it; and”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 12.7: would have been harsh and repulsive, and needed great confirmation. It was also not uncommon with the Prophets to say that the Lord spake to them from his temple , or from his sanctuary 2. And the seraphim stood upon it. Having declared that God appeared to him full of majesty and of glory, he adds, that God was attended by angels, whom the Prophet calls seraphim on account of their fervor. Though the etymology of this word is well known, yet various reasons are adduced. Some think that they are called seraphim because they burn with the love”
Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 37:16: dwellest--the Shekinah, or fiery symbol of God's presence, dwelling in the temple with His people, is from shachan, "to dwell" (Exo 25:22; Psa 80:1; Psa 99:1). cherubim--derived by transposition from either a Hebrew root, rachab, to "ride"; or rather, barach, to "bless." They were formed out of the same mass of pure gold as the mercy seat itself (Exo 25:19, Margin). The phrase, "dwellest between the cherubim," arose from their position at each end of the mercy seat, while the Shekinah, and the awful name, JEHOVAH, in written letters, were in the int”
2 Chronicles (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Chronicles 3:10: 3:10-13 The figures shaped like cherubim were made of costly wild olive wood and were covered with gold. Similar carvings have been found in Mesopotamia, Syria, and Canaan; such figures were a distinguishing feature of ancient thrones. Cherubim were composite creatures signifying the union of royalty (lion) with the highest powers of strength (bull), speed (eagle), and sagacity (human). Ancient temples found in Phoenicia show the throne of the deity supported by two animals. The sides of ancient Canaanite thrones were commonly shaped as cherubs. The cherubs ”
CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 27: intimate that God is best seen when the mind rises in admiration above itself: the Cherubim with outstretched wings shaded, and the veil covered it, while the remoteness of the place was in itself a sufficient concealment. It is therefore mere infatuation to attempt to defend images of God and the saints by the example of the Cherubim. For 93 what, pray, did these figures mean, if not that images are unfit to represent the mysteries of God, since they were so formed as to cover the mercy-seat with their wings, thereby concealing th”

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