7. It only remains to give a list of the principal authors who have treated of cherubim. Besides others already quoted, we may mention Philo, 7repi xcp. Kalrig Aol.t0abas; Clem. Alex., Strom. V. cap. vi. ; Spencer, de Legg. Ritt. Hebr., III. 5, p. 843.; Bochart, Hieroz. I. 2, cap. xxxiv., etc.; Carpzov, Apparat Critic, p. 268, sq.; J. H. A. Dorjen in Ugolini, Thes. viii. ; Rddiger, s.v. in Ersch. and Gruber Cyd., torn. xvi.; Bahr, .Symboiik, I. 34o, sq.; De Saulcy, Hst. de l'Art p. 23, sq.; Jac. Ode, Comment de Angelis, I. v. 73 ; Deyling, Observatt. Sacr., II. 442 ; Hengstenherg, Die Bucher .111os. rind zEgypt, 8. 157, sq.; Rosenmiiller, Schol. iu Ezek.; Havernick, Rack. s. 5; Kalisch, on Exod., p. 43o ; Gesen, Thes. II. 71o. To these may be added a large number of monographs, the most important of which have already been tinned or quoted in the article itself —F. W. F.
[As tending in some respect to illustrate this sub ject, we subjoin the following figures, copied from ancient monuments, all of which illustrate some one or more of the notions which we attach to the cherubic forms ; and while they afford material assistance to our ideas on the subject, they shew that figures of this kind, as sacred symbols, were not peculiar to the Hebrews, and that their presence in the sanctuary was not calculated to ex cite any surprise among the neighbouring nations, or to lead to the notion that the Jews also were worshippers of idols, for even in the pagan monu ment they never appear as idols, but as symbols ; and it was very possibly this fact—that the cheru bic figures were not liable to be misunderstood— which induced the Divine wisdom to permit their introduction into the most holy place. Of all these, the most remarkable is the figure sculptured in bas relief. The first group (No. 185) is from Egypt.
Moses, this may suggest another reason in addition to that already given, why a particular description of the cherubim was not judged necessary.
The next group of figures (No. 186) is also Egyptian, and shews the diversity of the winged symbols which so often appear on the monuments. Figs. i and 8 are such hovering winged figures as The figures are the more remarkable from being such as appear upon the sacred arks of that country, and the disposition of their wings agrees much with one or another of the arrangements which have been ascribed to Ste cherubim of the Ark. As such figures certainly existed in Egypt before the time of usually surmount the whole of a sacred tablet or shrine ; and to such hovering wings there seem some symbolical allusions in Scripture, even when the cherubim are not mentioned. Figure 4, that of a hawk with the face and symbols of Isis, and the crowned and winged serpents (figs. 6, 7), are
the only compound images, and, as such, deServe particular attention.
If we proceed to Babylon, similar winged sym bols are discovered. The cut (No. 187) is from an antique gem found at Babylon. It combines the human and quadrupedal forms, with the wings of a bird, and is not unlike the Egyptian sphinx, excepting that the head is that of a man, not of a woman. The next (No. '188) is from a Baby lonian cylinder, and is remarkable, as giving not only the wings, but the headof a bird to the human form.
In proceeding to the monuments of ancient Babylonian sphinx in a different position. The other figures in the same cut are frequently re Persia, the winged symbols become still more striking. The very remarkable example in the annexed engraving is from a bas-relief at Mourg Aub (No. 189), representing a man arrayed in a richly embroidered robe, with such quadruple wings as the vision of Ezekiel ascribes to the che rubim, with the addition of ample horns (the well-known symbols of regal power) issuing from the head, and upbearing a symbolical crown or mitre, such as is often seen on the heads of the Egyptian gods and their ministering priests.
The next group of figures (No. i9o) is collected from different ancient Persian sculptures and gems. Fig. I is a hovering winged symbol which occurs as frequently in the Persian monuments as the similar figures do in those of Egypt. I and 4 are remarkable as offering a near approach to the traditional figure which has been assigned to angels ; and 3 affords a very curious example of quadruple wings, resembling those in No. 189, but being much shorter.
The 4th figure in the cut No. tgi affords a rare example of the combination of the beast, bird, and man, and seems to be the same as the peated in the Persian sculptures. They are knowledged Mithric symbols ; and, as such, they go far to evince the purely symbolical character of the cherubic figures. In all of these, except the last, a warrior is represented grasping with one hand these winged symbols by the single horn, with which all of them are furnished, while he thrusts his sword into them with the other. It is observable that these figures, taken together, include all those which Ezekiel's vision assigns to the Cherubim— the head of a man, an eagle, a lion, and an ox (fig. 5) ; but we do not anywhere find all these combined in a single figure, as appears to have been the case in the visionary cherubim.
It is of some importance to remark, that the winged symbolical figures of this description are far more rare in the remoter East—in India or China, than in Western Asia.]