Guardians near holy places
Cherubim first appear after Adam and Eve are sent out of Eden. God places them at the garden's east side, together with a flaming sword, to guard the way to the tree of life (Genesis 3:24). Their presence shows that human rebellion has real consequences. Access to God's life and holiness cannot be treated casually.
God later tells Moses to make two gold cherubim for the ark of the covenant. They stand over the mercy seat with wings stretched above it (Exodus 25:18-20). This did not mean God was confined inside the ark. It showed Israel that their God was present with them, holy, and worthy of reverence.
So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
Not the babies in paintings
The word “cherub” is simply the singular form of cherubim. Popular art often imagines cherubs as sweet little children with wings, but that picture does not come from Scripture. Ezekiel sees living creatures with several wings and an overwhelming appearance (Ezekiel 1:5-8).
His vision includes faces like a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle (Ezekiel 1:10). Later, Ezekiel identifies the living creatures he had seen by the river Chebar as cherubim (Ezekiel 10:20). The vision is not meant to give us a neat portrait for a painting. It draws attention to the splendour and mystery of God's throne.
This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; and I knew that they were the cherubims.
Are they angels?
The careful answer is that Scripture speaks of cherubim and angels as distinct terms. It never plainly says, “Cherubim are angels.” Angels are described as spirits sent out in God's service (Hebrews 1:14), while cherubim are especially connected with guarding what is holy and surrounding God's glory.
Still, many Christians call cherubim angels in a broad sense because they are heavenly beings who serve God. That isn't an unreasonable way to speak, but it is worth keeping the Bible's distinction in view. Scripture gives glimpses of the heavenly world, not a full catalogue of every kind of heavenly creature.
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
What cherubim point to
Cherubim help us see that God is both near and holy. When the psalmist calls on the God who dwells between the cherubim, he is celebrating God's reign over his people, not reducing God to an image or a place (Psalm 80:1).
For Christians, the guarded way into God's presence also makes the good news of Jesus shine more brightly. Through Christ's sacrifice, believers are invited to draw near to God with confidence and sincerity (Hebrews 10:19-22). Cherubim are fascinating, but their main purpose in Scripture is to turn our eyes towards the holiness and mercy of God.