Definify.com

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.
Cherubs, but the Hebrew plural cherubim is also used.
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.

Definition 2024

cherub

cherub

See also: Cherub

English

A cherub, as described by Ezekiel.

Noun

cherub ‎(plural cherubs or cherubim or cherubims)

  1. A winged creature represented over 90 times in the Bible as attending on God, later seen as the second highest order of angels, ranked above thrones and below seraphim. First mention is in Genesis 3:24
  2. A statue or other depiction of such a being, typically in the form of a winged child.
  3. (figuratively) A person, especially a child, seen as being particularly innocent or angelic.

Derived terms

Synonyms

Translations

Latin

Etymology

From Ancient Greek χερούβ ‎(kheroúb), ultimately from Hebrew כְּרוּב ‎(kerúv).

Pronunciation

Noun

cherub m ‎(genitive cherub); irregular declension

  1. (indeclinable, Christianity) cherub
    • 405, Jerome and others, Vulgate, Exodus 25:18 & 405, Jerome and others, Vulgate, Exodus 25:19
      duos quoque cherubin aureos et productiles facies ex utraque parte oraculi
      cherub unus sit in latere uno et alter in altero
    • Nova Vulgata, Exodus 25:18&19
      Duos quoque cherubim aureos et productiles facies ex utraque parte propitiatorii,
      cherub unus sit in latere uno et alter in altero
      And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.
      And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end
    • 405, Jerome and others, Vulgate, Ezechiel 9:3
      et gloria Domini Israhel adsumpta est de cherub quae erat super eum ad limen domus et vocavit virum qui indutus erat lineis et atramentarium scriptoris habebat in lumbis suis
    • Nova Vulgata, Ezechiel 9:3
      Et gloria Dei Israel elevata est de cherub, super quem erat, ad limen domus; et vocavit virum, qui indutus erat lineis et atramentarium scriptoris habebat in lumbis suis.

Declension

Borrowed from Hebrew with its plural, otherwise indeclinable.

Case Singular Plural
nominative cherub cherubim
cherubin
genitive cherub cherubim
cherubin
dative cherub cherubim
cherubin
accusative cherub cherubim
cherubin
ablative cherub cherubim
cherubin
vocative cherub cherubim
cherubin

References

Etymology

From Old English cerubin, from Late Latin cherub, from Ancient Greek χερούβ ‎(kheroúb), ultimately from Hebrew כְּרוּב ‎(kerúv).

Pronunciation

  • enPR: chĕrʹəb, IPA(key): /ˈtʃɛrəb/

Similar Results