Do Cherubim have four or six wings?

One of the most intriguing questions about cherubim is the number of wings they possess: do they have four or six wings? The answer, as with many aspects of biblical symbolism, depends on which passages are considered and how different angelic orders are described. In this post, we’ll explore the biblical texts that reference cherubim, analyze the relevant passages, and clarify the distinction between cherubim and other angelic beings such as seraphim.

Cherubim in the Old Testament

Cherubim are first introduced in the Book of Genesis as guardians of the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve’s expulsion: “He placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life” (Genesis 3:24, NIV). While this passage gives no description of their physical form, later books of the Old Testament provide much more detail.

Ezekiel’s Vision: Four-Winged Cherubim

The clearest and most detailed description of the cherubim’s appearance comes from the prophet Ezekiel. In Ezekiel 1 and Ezekiel 10, the prophet describes his vision of heavenly beings associated with the glory of God. These beings are explicitly identified as cherubim in Ezekiel 10:20: “These were the living creatures I had seen beneath the God of Israel by the Kebar River, and I realized that they were cherubim.”

In Ezekiel 1:5-6, the description is as follows:

“And in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was human, but each of them had four faces and four wings.” (NIV)

Ezekiel 10:21 confirms this:

“Each had four faces and four wings, and under their wings was what looked like human hands.”

From these passages, it is clear that, according to Ezekiel’s vision, cherubim are four-winged beings. The number is repeated and emphasized, leaving little room for ambiguity in this context.

The Seraphim: Six-Winged Beings

Sometimes, the confusion about the number of wings on cherubim arises from conflating them with another class of angelic beings: the seraphim. Seraphim are described in Isaiah 6, during the prophet’s vision of God in the temple:

“Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.” (Isaiah 6:2, NIV)

Here, the seraphim are clearly six-winged, and their function in the vision is to proclaim the holiness of God. While both cherubim and seraphim are associated with God’s throne and His presence, the Bible presents them as distinct orders with different appearances and roles.

Cherubim in the Tabernacle and Temple

In the construction of the tabernacle and later the temple, cherubim are depicted in gold on the Ark of the Covenant and woven into the fabric of the sanctuary. Exodus 25:20 describes the cherubim on the ark:

“The cherubim are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover.”

While this passage does not specify the number of wings per cherub, the focus is on their function—overshadowing the ark with their wings—rather than their full anatomy. Nevertheless, these artistic representations were likely influenced by common ancient Near Eastern imagery, which sometimes depicted supernatural guardians with multiple wings.

Artistic and Theological Interpretations

Throughout history, both Jewish and Christian artists have depicted cherubim in various ways, sometimes with two, four, or even more wings, depending on the influence of biblical texts and local artistic conventions. However, when referring strictly to the biblical descriptions, especially those found in Ezekiel, the cherubim are portrayed as having four wings.

Why the Confusion?

The confusion about whether cherubim have four or six wings is understandable. First, the word “cherubim” has sometimes been used generically for majestic angelic beings, leading to blurred distinctions between the biblical cherubim and seraphim. Second, later religious literature and artistic traditions sometimes merged the characteristics of different angelic orders, resulting in depictions that do not strictly follow the biblical text.

Conclusion: Four Wings According to Scripture

In summary, the biblical evidence points to cherubim having four wings, based on Ezekiel’s vivid descriptions in chapters 1 and 10. The six-winged beings, seraphim, are a distinct order described in Isaiah 6.