Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Numberup AT worldnet.att.net]

The journal Biblical Archaeology Review (July/August 1995) presents a photo 
of an
ancient carving of the mythological beast to accompany its article, 
"Cherubim: God's
Throne?"  But it presents it as a question.  How sure can we be that the 
winged sphinx
is the cherub of the Bible?

After discussing cherubim, the Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament
(Botterweck, p. 314) concludes: "As to the appearance of the cherubim, only 
one point
is clear: they have wings."

Solomon Landers
Memra Institute for Biblical Research
http://www.memrain.org

"Walter R. Mattfeld" wrote:

> <In regards to Yahweh's " siting upon two cherubim," as questioned by Mr.
> Wei, rock sculptures of the Assyrian period show a procession of gods, one
> being enthroned, that is seated on a throne, that is in turn, upon the backs
> of two mythological beasts, while other gods in the procession are shown
> standing upon the back of a mythical beast/s. So, the notion of a god seated
> on a throne over the backs of two mythological beasts is not as
> "far-fetched" as it may seem (cf. photo of the rock bas-relief at Maltai,
> showing a procession of gods being adored by Sennacherib, note the second
> god from observer's left, seated on a throne on the backs of beasts, J.E.
> Curtis, ed., Art and Empire, Treasures from Assyria in the British Museum,
> Harry N. Abrams, N.Y. 1995, ISBN 0-8109-6491-0).>
>