Some have held that the cherubim are symbols of the divine attributes, or of God’s government over nature; see Smith’s Bib. Dict., art.: Cherub; Alford, Com. on _Rev. 4:6-8_, and Hulsean Lectures, 1841: vol. 1, Lect. 2; Ebrard, Dogmatik, 1:278. But whatever of truth belongs to this view may be included in the doctrine stated above. The cherubim are indeed symbols of nature pervaded by the divine energy and subordinated to the divine purposes, but they are symbols of nature only because they are symbols of man in his twofold capacity of _image of God_ and _priest of nature_. Man, as having a body, is a part of nature; as having a soul, he emerges from nature and gives to nature a voice. Through man, nature, otherwise blind and dead, is able to appreciate and to express the Creator’s glory. The doctrine of the cherubim embraces the following points: 1. The cherubim are not personal beings, but are artificial, temporary, symbolic figures. 2. While they are not themselves personal existences, they are symbols of personal existence—symbols not of divine or angelic perfections but of human nature (_Ex. 1:5_—“_they had the likeness of a man_”; _Rev. 5:9_—A. V.—“_thou hast redeemed us to God by thy blood_”—so read א, B, and Tregelles; the Eng. and Am. Rev. Vers., however, follow A and Tischendorf, and omit the word “_us_”). 3. They are emblems of human nature, not in its present stage of development, but possessed of all its original perfections; for this reason the most perfect animal forms—the kinglike courage of the lion, the patient service of the ox, the soaring insight of the eagle—are combined with that of man (_Ez. 1_ and _10_; _Rev. 4:6-8_). 4. These cherubic forms represent, not merely material or earthly perfections, but human nature spiritualized and sanctified. They are “_living creatures_” and their life is a holy life of obedience to the divine will (_Ez. 1:12_—“_whither the spirit was to go, they went_”). 5. They symbolize a human nature exalted to be the dwelling-place of God. Hence the inner curtains of the tabernacle were inwoven with cherubic figures, and God’s glory was manifested on the mercy-seat between the cherubim (_Ex. 37:6-9_). While the flaming sword at the gates of Eden was the symbol of justice, the cherubim were symbols of mercy—keeping the “_way of the tree of life_” for man, until by sacrifice and renewal Paradise should be regained (_Gen. 3:24_).