In Testament of Adam
Testament of Adam places the cherubim in the ninth order of heaven, above the other orders. They support God's throne and guard the seals, while the Most High rides upon their wings. The text places them among the nine heavenly orders whose appointed watches keep the praise of God from ceasing.
In Hekhalot Rabbati
In Hekhalot Rabbati, the cherubim stand beneath the throne of glory, yoked together with the ophanim and the holy beasts. Fire streams from the mouths of these beings, preventing any creature from approaching that place. The cherubim play cymbals whose music joins the harps and drums in a roaring sound when Israel praises Him.
In Genesis
Genesis places the cherubim east of the Garden of Eden after the man is forced out. They guard the approach to the tree of life alongside a flaming sword that turns in every direction.
Where the Cherubim appear
- Testament of AdamTestament of Adam describes cherubim as the highest heavenly order, carrying God's throne and keeping the seals. · The Complete Books of Enoch
- Hekhalot RabbatiHekhalot Rabbati places cherubim beneath the throne of glory and describes fire flowing from their mouths. · The Complete Books of Enoch
- GenesisGenesis stations cherubim east of the Garden of Eden to guard access to the tree of life. · The Complete 88-Book Ethiopian Bible
- ExodusExodus directs that the cherubim face one another, with raised wings covering the mercy seat. · The Complete 88-Book Ethiopian Bible
- EzekielEzekiel describes the sound of the cherubim's wings and the appearance of human hands beneath them. · The Complete 88-Book Ethiopian Bible
- Testament of AbrahamTestament of Abraham describes Michael taking Abraham over the earth on a chariot of the cherubim. · The Complete Books of Enoch
- On the Origin of the WorldOn the Origin of the World describes a throne upon a chariot with four faces, called cherubim. · The Nag Hammadi Scriptures
What the texts say, in their own words
“And the ninth and highest order is that of the cherubim, who bear up the throne of God and keep the seals, and upon their wings the Most High rides.”
“And the cherubim, the ophanim, and the holy beasts stand yoked beneath the throne of glory.”
“So he forced the man out; and he placed cherubim on the east side of the Garden of Eden, and a flaming sword that turned in every direction, to guard the way to the tree of life.”
“And the archangel Michael went down and took Abraham upon a chariot of the cherubim, and exalted him into the air of heaven, and led him upon the cloud together with sixty angels, and Abraham ascended upon the chariot over all the earth.”
Questions
Who are the Cherubim?
The passages call the Cherubim heavenly beings who guard the throne of glory without sleeping. Testament of Adam also describes them as throne bearers and the highest of nine heavenly orders.
What do the Cherubim guard in Genesis?
In Genesis, the cherubim guard the way to the tree of life east of the Garden of Eden. A flaming sword that turns in every direction stands there with them after the man's expulsion.
Do the Cherubim have wings?
Exodus describes the cherubim with wings raised above the mercy seat, covering it as they face one another. Ezekiel describes their wings making a sound like God's voice, audible even in the outer courtyard.
Where is the Cherubim mentioned in the lost texts?
The Cherubim appears in Testament of Adam, Hekhalot Rabbati and Testament of Abraham, in The Complete Books of Enoch; Genesis, Exodus and Ezekiel, in The Complete 88-Book Ethiopian Bible; On the Origin of the World, in The Nag Hammadi Scriptures.
