A cherub is a winged creature living in heaven. In the Holy Scriptures you can find references to these creatures. Cherubim along with seraphim occupy the most honorable place in the hierarchy of angels - they are closest to God.
Mentions in the Old Testament
Everyone who reads the Book of Genesis remembers that there is described a cherub with a fiery sword that guards the entrance to Paradise. And David writes that these angels served as a kind of transport on which God moved. In many places in the Old Testament one can read that he sits on cherubim. The prophet Ezekiel also mentioned these creatures. Describing the fall of the ruler of Tyr, he observes that he looks like a cherub, whose robe is strewn with shining precious stones. God drove him from Paradise to earth, as he was proud, thereby sinning. An unenviable fate befell him. Yes, it turns out that a cherub angel can commit a sin. In this way he looks like a man.
The Ark of the Testament, decorated with figures of cherubim
There is a reconstruction of the Ark of the Covenant dating back to the 19th century. On its cover you can see two cherubs made of gold. They stand with wings spread, as if covering a relic. The caporet (upper part of the Ark) and the angels are one. It is assumed that, standing on the lid of the relic, they simultaneously guard it and serve as a reminder of the throne of the incomprehensible God. The Lord told Moses that he would appear between the two winged creatures above the Ark and give him the laws that he would have to pass on to the people of Israel. Thus, it becomes clear that the cherub is an angel that accompanies God.
The mention of cherubim in Judaism
In the Talmud, one can read that these angels were among several objects located in the First Temple, but they were not in the Second. The same essay provides a small explanation. The fact is that during the collapse of the First Temple, noticing the statues of cherubs, the Gentiles began to slander the Jews, thinking that they idolized them, and this was forbidden. That is why there were no such sculptures in the Second Temple, only on the walls were images of winged creatures. Not the selfless worship, but rather the veneration of the seraphim angels. Cherubs, by the way, too.
Three types of heavenly inhabitants
In the Talmud there is a description of Paradise and its inhabitants, however, interestingly, only three types of celestial creatures are named: highot, ofanim, and also seraphim. Nothing has been written about the cherubim. The ancient liturgy of the Jews also lists three types.
Another mention of the cherub
But it should be noted that in the midrash containing the interpretation of Ecclesiastes, you can read that during sleep the human body tells the soul what it did throughout the day, then this information is transmitted to the spirit, then to the angel, then to the cherub and finally to the seraph, who reports this to God. It turns out such a kind of chain. It is easy to guess that a cherub is a creature standing on the second step after the seraph.
The Midrash tells us that the Lord, sitting on the winged creatures, observes what is happening in the world.
Cherubic song
What can be said about this prayer? Through this song, the Church invites us to become like cherubs, who, always in front of God, constantly praise him and glorify him with great singing, and reject all thoughts of anything worldly. Indeed, at the moment, Jesus Christ, surrounded by angels, invisibly descends to the holy altar in order to present himself to God the Father as a sacrifice for all human atrocities and to give his blood and body for communion to believers. This is a wonderful prayer. The cherub is represented in her as a faithful servant of God.
Seraphim
The seraphim are also mentioned in the Bible. These are angels close to the Lord who tirelessly praise him. The seraphim have six wings. In Christianity, there is a hierarchy of angels in which this creature is above all. Its name translates as "flaming."
Meaning of the word “saraf”
The term "saraf", used by the ancient Jews, has the following meanings:
- burning, flaming;
- flying reptile, lightning, like a snake;
- winged griffin or dragon.
Seraphim in the treatise "On the heavenly hierarchy"
A cherub is a strong enough angel, but the seraph has more power. He had the honor of communicating directly with God. The pseudo-Dionysius Areopagite in his treatise "On the heavenly hierarchy" tells a lot about seraphim. In particular, he writes that their name clearly indicates that they constantly and tirelessly strive for God, are ardent, strong and bright creatures. In addition, they can have a certain effect on those below them: ignite and ignite them so that they become similar to them. But seraphim also have the power to purify souls. How? They simply ignite and burn them: sins burn in the fire. This indicates that the seraphim have a sacred, enlightening and inexorable power, expelling and incinerating any sin. These are truly powerful creatures.
So, now you know that cherubim and seraphim are angels close to God. They are often mentioned in church prayers, so it is not surprising that people want more information about them. However, unfortunately, there is not so much information. One has to be content with only a few excerpts from the scriptures in order to get at least a small idea of cherubim and seraphim. But we must be glad that we have at least some information. Some writers and poets were inspired by information from these bibles about these angels. It is not surprising that there are works dedicated to them, because their image is distinguished by a certain mystery and mystery, which will always bewitch romantics and dreamers.