What Are Cherubim and Seraphim?
Cherubim and seraphim are winged creatures that appear in Scripture and make their most memorable appearances in the visions of Ezekiel (1:4-28, 10:3-22), Isaiah (6:2-6), and John (Rev 4:7). Although not specifically called angels , cherubim and
seraphim are revealed as living creatures or heavenly beings whose primary purpose is to worship God at His throne.
Cherubim (also called cherubs) are revealed as powerful guards or attendants to the divine throne. God placed cherubims and a flaming sword at the Garden of Eden to guard the way of the tree of life (Genesis 3:24). In the tabernacle and also the temple, gold cherubim on the mercy seat signified the presence of God (Exodus
37:7-9; Numbers 7:89; Psalm 80:1).
In Ezekiel’s vision, he saw cherubim as living creatures next to the throne of God, worshipping and serving Him. The cherubim had four faces: man, lion, ox and eagle, although Ezekiel 10:14 replaces the face of the ox with the face of a cherub. Each living creature possessed four wings, two of which covered their bodies,
and two of which extended upward. They traveled on what appeared to be a “wheel in the middle of a wheel” (Ezekiel 1:16) and went in any direction with great speed like a flash of lightning. Their appearance was brilliant like fire and their wings made noise like a great waterfall. What was Ezekiel’s reaction? He fell on his face, completely overtaken by the glory of the Lord.
Seraphim only appear in Isaiah’s vision. Isaiah saw the Lord sitting on a throne, and seraphims stood over the throne proclaiming His holiness (Isaiah 6:3).
Seraphim mean the burning ones or flying serpents. They were similar to cherubim but had six wings, two of which covered their face, two of which covered their feet, and with two wings they flew. What was Isaiah’s reaction (Isaiah 6:5)? He saw his own inadequacy and sinfulness when he encountered the holiness of
God! But then one of the seraphim touched Isaiah’s lips with a live coal from the altar, and God gave Isaiah a message for the people of Judah.