Cherubim are angelic beings described in the Bible as attending on God’s glory. The word “cherub” appears 91 times in the Bible, referring to these heavenly creatures who serve and praise God. Though their exact appearance is never fully described, they are often associated with the throne of God and are described as having wings. Origins and Etymology of “Cherubim” The word “cherub” is derived from the Hebrew word kerub (כרוב). It is generally thought to come from Akkadian karābu meaning “to bless”, “to intercede”, or “to pray”. The singular form is kerub and the plural is kerubim. In English…
Author: Emma Price
The altar of incense was an important part of the tabernacle and temple worship in ancient Israel. Here is an overview of its significance and meaning according to the Bible: Purpose and Location The altar of incense stood in front of the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle and temple (Exodus 30:6). This altar was smaller than the bronze altar of sacrifice which stood outside in the court of the tabernacle. The purpose of the altar was to burn incense before God as part of the daily worship. God commanded Moses: “You…
The Bible provides some insight into why Satan thought he could defeat God, even though this was clearly a foolish notion. Here are some key reasons that emerge from Scripture: 1. Pride and arrogance Satan’s downfall began with pride and arrogance. The prophet Ezekiel records God speaking about Satan: “Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor” (Ezekiel 28:17). Isaiah also refers to Satan’s pride leading to his fall: “How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you…
The statement “Today you will be with me in paradise” is found in Luke 23:43. This verse describes an interaction between Jesus and one of the criminals who was crucified next to Him. As they hung on their crosses, one criminal mocked and derided Jesus, while the other defended Him. After rebuking the mocking criminal, Jesus then spoke the words “Today you will be with me in paradise” to the criminal who had defended Him. This powerful statement has intrigued Christians throughout history – what exactly did Jesus mean by it? The Context of the Crucifixion To properly understand Jesus’…
The Christian doctrine of salvation refers to the beliefs Christians hold about how people can be saved from sin and receive eternal life. At the heart of this doctrine is the conviction that salvation is made possible only through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Here is an overview of key elements of the Christian salvation doctrine: Sin A fundamental Christian teaching is that all humans are sinners and fall short of God’s glorious standard (Romans 3:23). Sin separates people from God and leads to death (Romans 6:23). Sin is not just individual acts of wrongdoing but also…
The Disciples of Christ, also known as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), is a Protestant Christian denomination that originated in the United States in the early 19th century. The movement was founded by Thomas Campbell and his son Alexander Campbell, along with Barton W. Stone, during the Second Great Awakening. The Disciples of Christ emphasize Christian unity and the authority of the Bible, while allowing for diversity of opinion on many theological matters. Here is an overview of their key beliefs and practices: History and Origins The roots of the Disciples of Christ movement can be traced back to…
The Bible contains numerous references to tax collectors that paint them in a negative light. There are several reasons why the Bible speaks negatively about tax collectors: 1. Tax collectors were seen as greedy and corrupt In ancient Jewish society, tax collectors were not civil servants but independent contractors who paid a set fee to the Roman authorities for the right to collect taxes in a particular region. Anything they collected over the set fee was profit they could keep. This system encouraged greed and corruption (Luke 3:12-13). Tax collectors would often demand excessively high payments and pocket the difference…
Questions about 2 Chronicles Here are some common questions people have about the book of 2 Chronicles in the Bible: What is the purpose and theme of 2 Chronicles? The book of 2 Chronicles covers much of the same history as 1 & 2 Kings, but from the perspective of the kings of Judah. The chronicler’s main purpose is to show God’s working in history as the God of Israel. Key themes include the importance of following God’s law, the role of the temple and worship, the cycle of sin/punishment/restoration, and God’s faithfulness to keep His covenant with David’s dynasty.…
Jacob and Esau were twin brothers, the sons of Isaac and Rebekah. They were two very different brothers who had a complicated relationship. The story of Jacob and Esau spans several chapters in the book of Genesis and contains many important events and lessons. Esau was the firstborn twin, making him in line to receive the birthright and blessing from his father Isaac. However, Esau did not value his birthright and sold it to Jacob for a bowl of stew (Genesis 25:29-34). This demonstrated Esau’s impulsiveness and lack of proper regard for the spiritual privileges and responsibilities of the firstborn.…
The term “Ebenezer” appears several times in the Bible, most notably in 1 Samuel 7. Ebenezer refers to a stone of remembrance and help that was set up by the prophet Samuel. The setting is that Israel had been suffering under the oppression of the Philistines for many years. The people finally cried out to God for help. Samuel told them to put away their foreign gods and commit themselves fully to the Lord. When they did this, Samuel gathered them at Mizpah to pray and fast. The Philistines heard they were meeting and sent their army to attack. The…