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Webster 1913 Edition
Cherub
Cher′ub
,Noun.
pl.
Cherubs
(#)
; but the Hebrew plural Cherubim
(#)
is also used. [Heb.
kerūb
.] 1.
A mysterious composite being, the winged footstool and chariot of the Almighty, described in
Ezekiel i. and x.
I knew that they were the
cherubim
. Ezek. x. 20.
He rode upon a
cherub
and did fly. Ps. xviii. 10.
2.
A symbolical winged figure of unknown form used in connection with the mercy seat of the Jewish Ark and Temple.
Ez. xxv. 18.
3.
One of a order of angels, variously represented in art. In European painting the cherubim have been shown as blue, to denote knowledge, as distinguished from the seraphim (see
Seraph
), and in later art the children’s heads with wings are generally called cherubs. 4.
A beautiful child; – so called because artists have represented cherubs as beautiful children.
Webster 1828 Edition
Cherub
CHERUB
,Noun.
plu.
A figure composed of various creatures, as a man, an ox, an eagle or lion. The first mention of cherubs is in Gen. 3:24, where the figure is not described, but their office was, with a flaming sword, to keep or guard the way of the tree of life. The two cherubs which Moses was commanded to make at the ends of the Mercy seat, were to be of beaten work of gold; and their wings were to extend over the Mercy seat, their faces towards each other, and between them was the residence of the Deity. Ex. 15. The cherubs, in Ezekiels vision, had each four heads or faces, the hands of a man and wings. The four faces were, the face of a bull, that of a man, that of a lion, and that of an eagle. They had the likeness of a man. Ezek. 4, and 10. In 2 Sam. 22:11, and Psalm 18., Jehovah is represented as riding on a cherub, and flying on the wings of the wind. In the celestial hierarchy, cherubs are represented as spirits next in order to seraphs. The hieroglyphical and emblematical figures embroidered on the vails of the tabernacle are called cherubs of curious or skilful work. Ex. 26.