Angelic Cherubim

Looking for the perfect Valentine card with that chubby little Cherub on the cover?
Take a fresh look at the Valentine cupid.
Did you know your Valentine cupid is closer to being a Putto?
Ever wonder how that little angel became part of the Valentine's Day tradition?
Let us introduce you to cherubs, short for the angels known as cherubim in the bible.
What does a cherubim look like?
Find out more about the Putto and their place in history.
Here is a little Valentine day history dating back to before the birth of Christ.

Text: 2 Chronicles 3:1 & 10-13
"Now Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David … In the Most Holy Place he made two cherubim, fashioned by carving, and overlaid them with gold. The wings of the cherubim in the bible were twenty cubits in overall length: one wing of the one Cherub was five cubits, touching the wall of the room, and the other wing was five cubits, touching the wing of the other cherub… The wings of these Cherubim spanned twenty cubits overall."

Webster defines Cherub as: 1) a biblical figure often represented as a being with large wings, a human head and an animal body and regarded as a guardian of a sacred place; 2) an angel of the second highest rank; 3) a beautiful usually winged child.

Webster defines Cupid as: 1) the god of love in Roman mythology; 2) a winged naked infantile figure representing Cupid often with a bow and arrow.

Confusion in the Camp.... the Valentine's Day Cuppid

It is interesting that in many places February 14th is celebrated by sending each other Valentine cards. The Valentine cards usually have cute sayings like, "Won't you be my Valentine?" The picture on the front of the card often carries a picture of a cute chubby little baby that we call Cupid. We often refer to this fat little baby as a Cherub. As can be seen from Webster's definitions above we often melt together definition # 3 of Cherub with definition #2 of Cupid to get this picture. There is a great deal of confusion in the world over three different creatures: Cupid, a putto, and the Cherubim in the bible. An examination of ancient art and literature will show that these three beings were separate entities that have become intertwined.

Cupid the god of love

Cupid is the "god of love in Roman mythology". He is often portrayed as a young boy perhaps between 11 and 18 years of age in appearance. He is very human looking with small wings on his back. He often has a bow and arrows. Some more modern versions have him as being a little older. In Greek mythology he was called Eros. It should be interesting that from his Greek name we get the English word 'erotic'. This should give us a clue to the type of 'god of love' that he really is. Erotic love is love that is out for itself' alone. It seeks its own gratification. It is also interesting that his mother was Venus, the goddess of love. Her other name is Aphrodite from which we get the English word "aphrodisiac". These two are false gods that the American culture still worship with its' sex-crazed society. It will be easy to show later that Cupid is not a Cherub. Cherub is the singular for Cherubim. Some scholars believe that Satan was originally a Cherub before he rebelled against God. If so, it is possible that Satan has created this false image of what a Cherub is in order to lead mankind away from the living God.
A putto on the other hand, is the cute chubby little baby image that is often found in the art and sculpture of the churches throughout history. There seems to be some evidence however that this cute chubby little image may predate Christ. Some have even connected the putto to Cupid. They are often connected to the god Bacchus. The celebrations in honor of this god were nothing more than drunken sexual orgies. Wikipedia attributes the revival of the figure of the putto to the sculptor Donatello who was born in the late 1300's. Whatever the case may be, a careful examination of scripture will show that neither Cupid nor putto are biblical cherubim.

An Honest Admission .... The Study of Angels

The Apostle Paul has rightly said, "For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away." (I Corinthians 13:9-10). Anyone in this world who pretends that they know all about angels is not honest. The unseen world contains beings that we cannot even imagine their glory. It is clear from the Word of God that there are many angels in the unseen world, both good and evil. The scriptures also make it clear that its' pages contain all that we need to know which "is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17). There are many things that one would like to know about the spirit realm but God has not revealed them. We must be content with what He has revealed. Therefore, when we approach the study of angels, we could go to many other sources to learn things. We might go to a medium or New Age thinker, but if we do we are seeking knowledge that God has forbidden. Therefore, we will confine our examination of Cherubim to that which God has revealed. Since God created them He knows what they are like.

Biblical Cherubim

Webster has said that a Cherub is "a being with large wings, a human head, and an animal body and regarded as a guardian of a sacred place." Webster's definition, while partially correct does not match the Biblical descriptions completely. In subsequent articles we will examine cherubim's head (faces), number of wings and wing span, their body size and features, their color, and where they are often found (which gives clues to their functions). And as we look further into Biblical cherubim we will see that they are created guardian warriors chiefly concerned with protecting God's glory/holiness and His mercy toward His covenantal people. One thing we do know quite clearly is that the Biblical cherub is not a pink cheeked chubby baby with tiny wings!