Kerub

Kerub is a term used in religious and literary contexts to refer to cherubs, angelic beings found in Jewish and Christian traditions. The word derives from Hebrew keruv (כרוב), a term likely related to a root meaning near or closeness; the English form cherub comes via Latin and Greek translations. In the Hebrew Bible, keruvim (plural) are depicted as guardians of sacred spaces. They appear on the Ark of the Covenant’s mercy seat and are described as living creatures with wings in prophetic visions, notably in Ezekiel. The exact appearance of keruvim is described in symbolic terms, and scholars have offered varied interpretations.

In Judaism, keruvim symbolize protection and proximity to the divine presence. They are associated with the divine throne and the sanctity of the Temple. In Christianity, cherubim are considered a higher order of angels in some angelologies, often presented as guardians around the throne of God or as participants in divine worship. The popular Western image of a chubby infant with wings is a later cultural development and not representative of biblical descriptions.

In modern usage, kerub is encountered as a transliteration variant of cherub and can be used as a surname or given name in some cultures. It also appears in literature and media as a stylistic or symbolic reference to angelic beings. The term remains primarily linked to religious angelology, with diverse interpretations across traditions.