At 01:02 07/01/2000 -0500, Lewis Reich wrote regarding Cheribum:
>My understanding of the function of these creatures is as a throne
>for the deity or royalty. If I recall correctly, the ivory panels were
>from a throne. Yahweh is (I unfortunately forget where) described
>as "yoshev ha-keruvim".
Thanks for the additional info. Indeed Yahweh was called "YHWH who rides 2
cheribum" in a number of psalms. However it seems to me the image of a god
or king sitting on creatures is exotic. Is it impossible to interpret the 2
creatures as arm-rests on the throne viz the Ark?