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What Does a Cherub Look Like?

 

 

What is a Cherub?

 

A cherub (plural: cherubim) is described as an angelic being in the Bible. They seem to be entrusted by the Lord of Israel as they overshadow the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies (Hebrews 9:5), which is the most sacred place of the temple where only the High Priest can enter once a year. 

 

Cherubim also appeared often with the Lord to take immediate directions from Him, and to carry His Presence (Psalm 18:10). After Adam and Eve were driven out from the Garden of Eden, cherubim were also placed there by the Lord to guard the way to the Tree of Life (Genesis 3:24).

 

 

What Does a Cherub Look Like?

 

Unlike cupid stories which often describe cherub as a cute little baby, cherubim are actually strong and mighty angels according to the Bible. Lucifer, the rebellious angel, was also a cherub.

 

Face of a Cherub

 

We know that a cherub has the face of an ox by comparing the following two verses.

 

Each of the cherubim had four faces: the first face was that of a cherub, the second that of a man, the third that of a lion, and the fourth that of an eagle. ~ Ezekiel 10:14

 

As for the likeness of their faces (four living creatures seen in Ezekiel’s vision), each had the face of a man; each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, each of the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and each of the four had the face of an eagle. ~ Ezekiel 1:10

 

Most people have never seen a cherub, but the second verse tells us that the face of a cherub is like the face of an ox. In addition, he has three more faces like that of a man, a lion and an eagle.

 

Body of a Cherub

 

The Bible also tells us that a cherub has the likeness of a man. In addition to four faces, they also have four wings, and a hand under each wing. Their legs are straight, their feet are like calves’ feet, and they sparkle like burnished bronze.

 

And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man. Each one had four faces, and each one had four wings. Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the soles of calves’ feet. They sparkled like the color of burnished bronze. The hands of a man were under their wings on their four sides; and each of the four had faces and wings. Their wings touched one another. The creatures did not turn when they went, but each one went straight forward. ~ Ezekiel 1:5-9

 

 

Baal or cherub?

 

Face of an ox, body of a man, has both wings and hands. What does that look like? 

 

 

For anyone familiar with the Old Testament, this image probably reminds them of an idol worshipped by many Gentile nations and even some Israelites  - Baal.

 

Baal was believed to be a powerful god who fights and also demands child sacrifice. According to the above description, could Baal be a cherub?