| Exodus 25:18
| Thou shalt make also two cherubims of beaten gold, on the two sides of the oracle.
| Cherubims, symbolic figures, which Moses does not perfectly describe, and therefore we cannot pretend to know their exact form. Some represent them as young men, with their wings joined over the propitiatory, in a contrary direction to those of birds, in order to form a throne for God, and bending towards Him, with profound respect. Others only admit their heads, with six wings: while many suppose, that they resembled those compounded figures mentioned, Ezechiel 1:5.; Ezechiel 10:20. They denote some extraordinary figure not found in nature, 3 Kings 7:29. An order of angels is known by this name. Yet the four animals, or cherubims, represent the saints, Apocalypse 5:8, 10. The different forms under which they appear, set before us their various perfections. Their wings denote agility, etc. The Egyptians adored Anubis, under the form of a man, with a dog's head. Isis had the head of a cow, Apis that of a bull. They placed a sphinx at the entrance of their temples, to shew that their theology was enigmatical. God condescended perhaps to satisfy the inclinations of his people, by representing the mysteries of religion under similar forms, Wisdom 18:24. (Calmet) --- Would he have allowed such things, if they were so dangerous, as to be inseparable from idolatry! (Haydock)
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