Who are the Cherubim of the Bible?

[Duke]

Who are the cherubim in the Bible?

These heavenly creatures are far from being the chubby, playful babies Raphael painted. They have a lot to do with the Ark of the Covenant.

aleteia.org

 

[titch2k6]

Interestingly, cherubims are also related to the study of demonology, so yes, very 'far from being the chubby, playful babies Raphael painted'!

A cherubim (or 'cherub' for short), for those not aware, is one of the highest-ranking angels in the Christian angel hierarchy, second only to the Seraphim, and said to have four faces and four wings. Therefore, it is no surprise that it is thought that Satan, before his fall from Heaven, was a high ranking cherubim. This is further hinted at by scriptures stating that Satan possesses three faces in his demonic form (the fourth being his face whilst in human form), which also shows his appearance, and status, as a cherubim that has become twisted and corrupt.

Apart from Satan, there are other cherubims who were also 'fallen' and took up ranks under both Satan and Lucifer. The most noted of these are:

• Asmodeus - Represents the sin of 'lust'. One of the 'Seven Princes of Hell', he is a king of demons and earthly spirits. He is known from the sacred Book of Tobit and described as 'the worst of demons'. According to the Kabbalah and the school of Shlomo ibn Aderet, Asmodeus is a cambion (the offspring from a human and demon encounter), born as the result of a union between Agrat Bat Mahlat (a succubus also known as Igrat) and King David.
• Moloch - A demonic fertility deity, turned false deity, mentioned in the Christian Bible (he appears in the Old Testament as a God that Moses forbids the Israelites to worship). Moloch is a demon under Lucifer's command and was the one who produced the 'Oath system' within Hell, which later on, was called 'Moloch's Oath'.
• Paimon - Paimon is the 9th spirit listed in the Ars Goetia and is the 'King of Hell' that is the most obedient to Lucifer. He has 200 legions of demons under his rule, some of which are from the 'Order of Angels' and the rest, 'Authorities'. Paimon is an extremely nasty demon, in both his manipulation and hostility towards humans. He maliciously inflicts severe psychological, physical and spiritual torment upon his victims, including reenacting traumatic events, as well as producing horrific visions and hellish nightmares.
• Belial - Also known as 'Hell's Brightest Fire', 'Evil's Match', and the 'King of Evil'. He is the 68th spirit in the Ars Goetia, and one of the four crowned princes of Hell ruling over the North. Created straight after Lucifer, he commands 80 legions of demons. The name 'Belial' means 'without a master'.
• Berith - Berith is the 28th spirit listed in the Ars Goetia and resides as a 'Great Duke of Hell'. He is both powerful and cruel, with 26 legions of demons under his command. As an angel, Berith was a prince of the Order of Cherubim. As a demon, he serves as a master of ceremonies, notarising pacts with Satin. Berith takes pleasure corrupting the strongest willed, and most arrogant, of humans.

 

[Lynne]

Thanks Titch. I never considered that Satan could be a Cherubim. It does make logical sense. I always found it hard to picture what Ezekiel was seeing. I wish he would have been better with the description. It’s frightening to think of these fallen angels moving unseen among us.

 

[garnetsilver]

This excerpt from the prayer to Angel Michael always comforts me:

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. .

 

[GoneWestUtah]

Amen!

 

[Benway]

Going back to the early representations of cherubs, this a Babylonian carving: