The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Chronicles — Section 51

(IAa. vi. 2), and cherubim (2 Sam. xxii. 11 ; Ps. xviii. 10)-are depicted as attendin" Jehovah in his theophanies, or manifestations of himself to men. That they wer; diITorent from angels may be inferred from the fact that these are never exhibited as winged, and are usually represented as Jebovab's messengers (Ps. civ. 4), which the cherubim nevor arc. It is not so certain that they were different from the seraphim, or shining ones (Isa. vi. 2), who in appearance, situation, and function resembled them, having six wings, appearing always in the vicinity of the self-revealing Jehovah, and proclaiming aloud the presence of bis glory. Yet from the fact that they are commonly exhibited as bearers or upholders of the Divine throne (Ezek. i. 26), whereas the seraphim surround the throne (Isa, vi. 2), it may be concluded that the two, though belonging to the same order, were not the same species of being (cf. Delitzsch on Isa. to vi. 2). At the same time, whilst holding the cherubim to have been images intended to represent real existences, it need not be assumed that the nctual cherubim had really the four faces of a man, of a lion, of an ox, and of an eagle. These belong to the depart- ment of symbology, in which supersensuous ideas are set forth in sensuous images. Hence, inasmuch as the human face represents the notion of intelligence, the leonine that of strength, the bovine that of endurance, and the aquiline that of keenness of vision, combined perhaps with the idea of swiftness of motion, the ascription of these to the cherubim can only mean that these heavenly beings were possessed of all the elements of a perfect life, and, as the crown and summit of creation, stood nearest God. 5. Their function. Comparing the Scriptures in which they are alluded to, the following may be regarded as the complex function performed by the cherubim: (1) To proclaim the Divine presence, so that, wherever they are or appear, God is (Ps. xviii. 10; Exod. xxv. 22; Ezek. i. 26); (2) to keep guard over places rendered holy by the Divine presence, so that no unholy person might irreverently intrude therein (Gen. iii. 24); and (3) to symbolize that only beings themselves perfect could stand in the presence of the glory of God (Rev. iv. 8). All three functions may be said to have been performed by the colossal figures in Solomon's temple as well as by the smaller cherubim on the capporeth in the tabernacle (see Kurtz, in Herzog's 'Real Encyclopa.die,' art. "Cherubim;" Riehm, in 'Handworterbucb,' art. "Cherubim;" Keil,' Die Biblische Arcbii.ologie,' pp, 92, etc.). II. THE ALTAR OF INCENSE. (Ver. 19.) 1. Its material. Like the other articles in the interior of the house, it was made of cedar wood and overlaid with gold (1 Kings vii. 48). That in the tabernacle was formei;i of shittim wood overlaid with gold; was two cubits high, one long, and one broad; was furnished with a covering, and horns of the same wood overlaid with gold (Exod. xx.xvii. 25). 2. Its position. (1) In the holy place; and (2) immediately in front of the entrance to the holy of holies, i.e. before the curtain, or second veil. 3. Its use. As in the tabernacle (Exod. xxxvii. 29), so in the temple, it was intended for the burning of fragrant incense before the holy of holies day and night, to symbolize the adoration of Jehovah's worshipping people. III. THE OANDLEBTIOKS. (Ver. 7.) 1. Their number. Ten. 'l'his was demanded by the larger dimensions of the temple in comparison with the tabernacle, which con- tained only one. 2. Their form. Each seven-branched, as in the tabernacle, i.e. con- sisting of a main stalk with three branches on either side, rising to the same height as that, each of the six branches and the middle stalk being crowned with a lamp (Exod. xxv. 31, etc.; xxxvii. 17, etc.). 3. Their ornaments. Bowls, knops, and flowers, as in the tabernacle candlestick, seeing that each in the temple was constructed "according to its form." 4. Their utensils. Snuffers and basins; the former to trim the wicks, the latter to receive what was removed by the process. 5. Their use. To keep a light continually burning in the holy place and before the holy of holies (Exod. xxv. 37; xxvii. 20). Their material. 6. Of gold (ver. 7), pure (ver. 20), and perfect (ver. 21). In this, again, they resembled the candlestick in the tabernacle (Exod. xxv. 31). 7. Their position. In the holy place, before the oracle, five on either sicle. 8. Their significance. To symbolize either (1) the light of God's favour which the worshippers or the sacred community (represented by the priest who ministered in their name) enjoyed, when their sins had been first covered by the blood shed in the fore court (Ps. x.xxvi. 9 ; lxxxix. 15); or (2) the illumination which the Spirit-enlightened Church of God, ~?llectively and individually, should shed forth upoD. the world (Matt. v. 16; Phil. 11.15).  52 THE SECOND nooK OF THE CHRONICLES. [orr. lV, 1-22.