‘And out of the midst of it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance. They had the likeness of a man. And every one had four faces, and every one of them had four wings. And their feet were straight feet, and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot, and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass. And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides, and they four had their faces and their wings thus. Their wings were joined one to another. They turned not when they went. They went every one straight forward. As for the likeness of their faces, they had the face of a man, and they four had the face of a lion on the right side, and they four had the face of an ox on their left side. They four also had the face of an eagle. And their faces and their wings were separate above. Two (wings) of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.'
Out of the glory and power of the storm Ezekiel saw four living creatures. In chapter 10 we learn that they were cherubim. These were the bearers and protectors of God's throne, and guarded the uniqueness of God (compare Genesis 3:24 where they prevented sinful man from living on beyond his span). They were the representatives before God of the whole living creation, for man, lion, ox and eagle represent all living creatures, man, wild beast, domestic animal and bird. As God comes He comes as Lord of creation, accompanied by the watchers over creation.
Excursus on the Cherubim.
The general ‘likeness' of cherubim was clearly well known to the children of Israel. They represented celestial beings, and unlike angels were seen as having wings, probably eagles' wings. Yahweh is described as ‘dwelling between (or on) the cherubim' (1 Samuel 4:4; 2 Samuel 6:2; 2 Kings 19:15; Psalms 80:1; Psalms 99:1 etc.), no doubt with the Ark of the Covenant in mind, sometimes explicitly. In Ezekiel 10 they appear again as bearers of the throne of Yahweh.
They were also clearly connected with the animal world. Thus here and in Ezekiel 10:14 each had the faces of man, lion, ox and eagle, and they had the hands of a man (Ezekiel 1:8; Ezekiel 10:8) and feet like calves' feet (Ezekiel 1:7). In the Temple they were represented on curtains along with lions (1 Kings 7:36), lions and oxen (1 Kings 7:29), and palm trees and open flowers (1 Kings 6:29; 1 Kings 6:37; 1 Kings 7:36). In the temple they appear to have been two-winged (1 Kings 6:27), but here they have four wings so that they may cover their bodies with two. Compare Isaiah 6:1-6 where the seraphim (‘burning ones') have six wings, of which four are to cover themselves before God. If we see the wings in 1 Kings 6:27 as the wings of an eagle we have there a parallel combination to that in Ezekiel 1:10 of lion, ox and eagle. In Ezekiel 41:18-20 they were connected with palm trees and had the faces of a man and a lion.
On the Ark they would seemingly have one face each (unless they have four faces facing in the same direction, which seems unlikely). Thus it is quite likely that their shape was somewhat similar to those found in excavations at Samaria and in Phoenicia with human face, lion body, four legs and two conspicuous and elaborate wings. At Byblos such beings are found supporting the throne of the king. The idea behind the presence of the cherubim is that Yahweh is attended by those who represent the whole of creation, man, wild beast, domestic beast and bird. The palm trees and open flowers on the curtains represent the inanimate creation. They are not quite so closely connected with Yahweh.
Thus they can be represented in various ways and we are not to take the descriptions as referring specifically to literal beings. In Revelation 4:7-8 each living creature represents a different earth creature, lion, calf, man and flying eagle, and they are full of eyes. They are symbolic, rather than literal, representations. Revelation 4 seems to borrow features of both seraphim and cherubim.
Their purpose would seem to be as guardians of eternal life (Genesis 3:24) and of the holiness of God, and as His closest servants and bearers of His throne. An intercessory function has been suggested but this is nowhere explicit in Scripture where they rather concentrate on the worship of Yahweh, confirm the worship of creation, and give the command for the carrying out of God's judgments (Revelation 4:6-9; Revelation 5:14; Revelation 6:1-8; Revelation 8:13). In 1 Chronicles 28:18 they are spoken of as ‘the chariot', and thus act as God's chariot (2 Samuel 22:11; Psalms 18:10).
End of excursus.
‘They had the likeness of a man. And every one had four faces, and every one of them had four wings. And their feet (or ‘legs') were straight feet (or ‘legs'), and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot, and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass. And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides.' The general appearance was that of a man, but with essential differences. Their four faces represented all living creatures, their wings represented birds, their feet represented domestic animals, and possibly indicate sprightliness and nimbleness (Psalms 29:6; Malachi 4:2), their hands (probably four of them on their four sides, but it could be translated ‘and the hands of a man were on the sides of the four of them') and legs represented man. Furthermore four is the number of earth. One significance of all this is that Yahweh was seen as continually enthroned above creation, and as served by creation.
It may also be that in the man, lion, ox and eagle we are to see rationality (man), fierceness and strength (lion - Proverbs 30:30), service and strength (ox - Psalms 144:14), and swiftness (eagle - Deuteronomy 28:49; 2 Samuel 1:23; Job 9:26; Jeremiah 4:13).
‘And they four had their faces and their wings thus. Their wings were joined one to another. They turned not when they went. They went every one straight forward.' We can compare this with the cherubim in the temple whose wings were joined (1 Kings 6:27). The idea would seem to be of the unity of creation, all serving God as one, and with one purpose in mind, to please and obey God.
It is difficult to assess whether all were facing the same way, two to the front of the ‘platform' (Ezekiel 1:22), and two to the back, or whether they all faced outwards forming a square, which might be seen as indicating perfect symmetry.
‘And two covered their bodies.' Even in their supreme status the cherubim had to cover their bodies in the presence of Yahweh, for they were but creatures. Compare Isaiah 6:2 where the seraphim covered face and feet. None are worthy of His presence. All, even these majestic heavenly creatures, must cover themselves before Him.