This study examines the physical form and cultic function of the biblical cherubim. Previous studies of the cherubim have placed too great an emphasis on archaeological and etymological data. This monograph presents a new synthetic study, which prioritises the evidence supplied by the biblical texts. Biblical exegesis, using literary and historical-critical methods, forms the large part of the investigation (Part I). The findings arising from the exegetical discussion provide the basis upon which comparison with etymological and archaeological data is made (Parts II and III). The results suggest that traditions envisaging the cherubim as tutelary winged quadrupeds, with one head and one set of wings, were supplanted by traditions that conceived of them as more enigmatic, obeisant beings. In the portrayal of the cherubim in Ezekiel and Chronicles, we can detect signs of a conceptual shift that prefigures the description of the cherubim in post-biblical texts, such as The Songs of the Sabbath Sacrifice and the Enochic texts.
Author(s): Wood, Alice
Series: Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter
Year: 2008
Language: English
Pages: 266
Of Wings and Wheels: A Synthetic Study of the Biblical Cherubim......Page 4
Forward......Page 6
Contents......Page 8
Abbreviations......Page 10
Introduction......Page 14
Part I. The Biblical Texts......Page 18
§ 1.1.1 Semantic and Syntactical Problems......Page 22
§ 1.1.2 The Cherubim Formula and “Yahweh of Hosts”......Page 27
§ 1.1.3 The Cherubim Formula and the Ark in 1 Sam 4:4 and 2 Sam 6:2......Page 31
§ 1.2 Hebr. כרבים as Cultic Images......Page 35
§ 1.2.1.1 The Golden Cherubim on the כפרת......Page 36
§ 1.2.1.2 The Inspiration for the Golden Cherubim......Page 41
§ 1.2.1.3 Do the Cherubim Statues Form a Throne?......Page 43
§ 1.2.1.4 The Cherubim Decoration on the פרכת Veil and Tabernacle Curtains......Page 45
§ 1.2.2 The Cherubim in the Solomonic Temple......Page 46
§ 1.2.2.1 The Cherubim Statues in the דביר......Page 47
§ 1.2.2.2 Cherubim relief (1 Kgs 6:29–35)......Page 50
§ 1.2.2.3 The Wheeled Lavers (1 Kgs 7:27–39)......Page 51
§ 1.2.2.4 The Source of the 1 Kings Account......Page 54
§ 1.2.2.5 The Account of the Temple Cherubim in Chronicles......Page 55
1.2.3 Ezekiel 41:18–25......Page 62
§ 1.3.1 Genesis 3:24......Page 64
§ 1.3.2 Ezekiel 28:11–19......Page 74
§ 1.3.2.1 Earlier Exegesis......Page 76
§ 1.3.2.2 The Significance of the Masoretic Text......Page 84
§ 1.3.2.3 A Holistic Approach......Page 86
§ 1.3.2.4 Towards a New Interpretation of the Cherub......Page 88
§ 1.3.3 The Song of David......Page 97
§ 1.3.3.1 Textual Issues......Page 98
§ 1.3.3.2 Poetic Issues......Page 101
§ 1.3.3.3 The Inclusion of the Cherub in a Storm Theophany......Page 104
§ 1.3.3.4 Theophany and Divine Attendants......Page 105
§ 1.3.3.5 Summary......Page 107
§ 1.3.4 Ezekiel’s Visions......Page 108
§ 1.3.4.1 Earlier Exegesis......Page 110
§ 1.3.4.2 Critique......Page 115
§ 1.3.4.3 The Cherubim in Ezekiel 9–11......Page 118
§ 1.3.4.4 Summary......Page 151
§ 1.4 Conclusions Emerging from Biblical Exegesis......Page 152
Part II. The Root k-r-b and Comparative Semitic Material......Page 154
Part III. The Archaeological Evidence......Page 170
§ 3.1 Delimiting the Evidence 1: A Typological Profile......Page 174
§ 3.2 Delimiting the Evidence 2: Temporal and Spatial Parameters......Page 176
§ 3.3 The Megiddo Ivories......Page 178
§ 3.4 Archaeological Survey: Israel and Judah (Late 10th–4th Century B.C.E.)......Page 186
§ 3.4.1 Larger objects, Ivories and a Cave Drawing......Page 187
§ 3.4.2 The Glyptic......Page 196
§ 3.5 Evaluation......Page 213
§ 3.6 Summary......Page 216
Conclusion
......Page 218
Further Trajectories......Page 219
Bibliography
......Page 222
Pictures
......Page 244
Index of Biblical References
......Page 258
Index of Names and Subjects
......Page 264
