כְּרוּב (ke.ruv)
ke.ruv
cherub
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 42 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun keruv refers to a celestial being, often depicted as part-human and part-animal, that serves as a guardian or throne-bearer for God. Its etymology is uncertain, but the biblical usage paints a picture of immense power and wisdom. These beings first appear in Genesis 3:24, where they are placed east of Eden with a flaming sword to guard the way to the tree of life after humanity’s expulsion.
In the rest of Scripture, keruv shifts from guarding a garden to supporting God’s presence on earth. They form the golden coverings of the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:18-22), symbolizing the place where God meets His people. Later, Solomon’s temple features massive carved cherubim in the Holy of Holies, their wings spread wide to overshadow the mercy seat (1 Kings 6:23-28). The prophet Ezekiel also describes them as part of a complex vision of God’s mobile throne-chariot, emphasizing that the Creator is not confined to any single location.
Translators consistently render this word as "cherub" or "cherubim." The term carries a sense of awe, representing beings who are close to God’s glory yet distinct from Him. Whether guarding Eden, flanking the Ark, or filling the temple, keruv highlights the holiness and majesty of the Divine presence.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word cherub describes celestial beings who stand in the immediate presence of God. They are not distant figures but active guardians and throne-bearers. In Genesis, they guard the way to the tree of life with a flaming sword. This shows that access to God’s fullness is holy and requires reverence.
Later, these same beings appear on the Ark of the Covenant. Their wings overshadow the mercy seat, marking it as the place where God meets His people. This imagery reminds us that God desires to dwell among His people while maintaining His absolute holiness. We approach this presence with awe and gratitude.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 42 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ cherubim28×
- cherubim15×
- the/ cherub9×
- a cherub3×
- and/ a cherub2×
- and/ cherubim1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/כְּרֻבִ֖ים3×
- הַ/כְּרֻבִ֔ים3×
- הַ/כְּר֥וּב3×
- כְּרוּבִ֣ים2×
- כְּרוּבִ֖ים2×
- כְּרֻבִֽים\׃2×
- כְּרֻבִ֛ים2×
- וּ/כְרוּב\־2×
- הַ/כְּרוּבִים֙2×
- הַ/כְּרוּבִֽים\׃2×
- הַ/כְּרוּבִ֖ים2×
- הַ/כְּרֻבִים֩2×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 3:24
So he drove out the man; and he placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.
This verse establishes the cherubim as guardians of holy space, protecting the way to the tree of life after humanity's expulsion from Eden.
-
Exodus 25:22
There I will meet with you, and I will tell you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the covenant, all that I command you for the children of Israel.
Here the cherubim frame the mercy seat, defining the specific location where God promises to speak directly to Moses and the Israelites.
-
I Samuel 4:4
So the people sent to Shiloh, and they brought from there the ark of the covenant of Yahweh of Armies, who sits above the cherubim; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
This reference highlights the title Yahweh of Armies who sits above the cherubim, emphasizing that God rules from His heavenly throne even when His ark is present on earth.