What are the Cherubim? Pt. 4: The Face of a Lion and Their Four Wings

Within the Bible, there are accounts of several different types of supernatural, spiritual beings, such as the Cherub, the Seraph, the Serpent, etc. Ezekiel goes into detail describing the beings he called a Cherub. So far, we’ve gone into detail explaining the meanings behind the Cherubim’s faces of a man, eagle, and ox, as well as their straight legs and calf-like soles of their bronze feet. But what does the Cherubim’s face of a lion mean? What do lions represent in the Bible? What are the Cherubim’s four wings for? Join ArieRashelle as she searches through Scripture to find the answers in our fourth part, The Face of a Lion and Their Four Wings, of our miniseries What are the Cherubim?

What Are The Cherubim? Pt. 4 Summary

The Cherubim’s Face of a Lion and Their Wings

⁸ Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. And the four had their faces and their wings thus: ⁹ their wings touched one another. Each one of them went straight forward, without turning as they went. ¹⁰ As for the likeness of their faces, each had a human face. The four had the face of a lion on the right side, the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and the four had the face of an eagle.

Ezekiel 1:8-10

The Cherubim’s Face of a Lion

The Cherubim had the face of a lion because lion’s represent authority. Jesus told Peter that the Devil demanded to have him. Unless the Devil had some form of authority, he couldn’t demand to have Peter and then Peter given over to him to the point where Jesus says I prayed for you.

³¹ Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, ³² but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.

Luke 22:31-32

After this Peter then describes Satan as a prowling lion seeking someone to devour because lions represent authority, just like the Cherubim’s face.

⁸ Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

1 Peter 5:8-9

Satan is portrayed as a roaring lion when he is demanding someone. Lions represent authority because they are a symbol of authority. This is the same idea with the Cherubim. The Cherubim have the face of a lion because they have authority.

The Cherubim’s Wings

¹¹ Such were their faces. And their wings were spread out above. Each creature had two wings, each of which touched the wing of another, while two covered their bodies.

Ezekiel 1:11

The Cherubim cover their bodies with two of their wings because they are like burning coals and torches with the glory of God. Two of their wings hold up the throne of God in glory and praise, this is why God rides on the wings of a cherub in the Psalms.

¹ Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.

Psalms 80:1

² And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale-judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord of hosts who sits enthroned on the cherubim.

2 Samuel 6:2

The Face of a Lion and Their Wings Images

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