First, let’s consider what an angel is.  The Hebrew word for angel is ‘malak.’  The Greek word for angel is ‘angelos.’  Both of these words mean ‘messenger.’  Several times in the Old and New Testaments, the words for angels are translated as ‘messengers.’  However, I believe your question is to find out if the cherubims are supernatural creatures of the Lord, not mere mortal messengers.

The cherubim are mentioned more than 60 times in the Bible.  The word ‘cherub’ designates a singular sense, where cherubim reference more than one cherub.  We read that in Exodus 25:19, “And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubim on the two ends thereof.”  Only once are cherubim mentioned in the New Testament.  That is in Hebrews 9:5 referencing their position over the mercy seat atop the Ark of the Covenant.

We first read of cherubim in Genesis 3:24, “So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden the Cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”  The cherubim guarded the garden of Eden after Adam and Eve sinned and were cast out.  We know these cherubims were not men because Adam and Eve were the only people, or humans, in existence at this time.  Indeed, the Word only mentions three kinds of intelligent beings:  God Himself, man, and angelic beings.

Golden images of cherubs are mentioned in the design of the lid of the Ark of the Covenant, revealing the importance of cherubim in the presence of God.  Exodus 25:17-18 tells us, “And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof. And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.”

2 Samuel 22:11 describe cherubim as God’s attendants when He comes to the aid of His people.

Ezekiel 10:5 tells us that cherubim have wings.

Ezekiel 10:7 tells us that cherubim have hands.

Ezekiel 10:14 describes the cherubim as having four faces.  “And every one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, and the second face was the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.”

Ezekiel 1:4-23 gives a very detailed description of the cherubims.

Based on these observations found throughout the Word, we can see that a cherub is an angelic being. The cherubim are frequently mentioned in Scripture, especially in connection with the worship of God and in His presence. A cherub’s physical description includes hands like a human and wings, with a body somewhat similar to humans yet distinct in many ways. At least some cherubs are armed with flaming swords. While cherubs seen by Ezekiel included four faces, four wings, and many eyes, it is uncertain whether this is true of all cherubs or was limited to those in his vision. Overall, cherubs are clearly important angelic beings given the task of serving directly in God’s presence, highly involved in the worship of the Lord.  Seraphims, while similar, to the cherubims, are another type of angel mentioned in the Bible.  (370.6)