“cherubim.” This is the second time we see cherubim in the Bible. They first appeared as guards in the garden of Eden, and now they are associated with the Ark of the Covenant, ostensibly to represent God’s presence and protection. They are associated with the Ark both in the Tent of Meeting and the Temple (cp. Exod. 25:20; 37:9; 1 Kings 6:27; 2 Chron. 3:10, 11, 13). Here in Exodus, we learn that cherubim have wings, but it is not until Ezekiel 1 and 10 that we have a more complete description of them. They are said to be living creatures, they have four faces on their heads and four wings each, and arms and hands like human hands under their wings (see commentary on Ezek. 1:5). They would then grasp the flaming sword mentioned in Genesis with their hands. Their powerful fast bodies had faces that looked in every direction, and their ability to carry weapons such as the sword they have in Genesis 3:24, make them formidable beings indeed. We have to remember that the description of the cherubim given in Exodus, Kings, and Chronicles was not complete, but the way God described them for us in those contexts. Ezekiel’s description was a much more detailed description of them.