INTRODUCTION. Ixxi 



from a particle of similitude and a word sig- 

 nifying the mighty or strong ones, which is 

 proposed by Parkhurst and the followers of 

 Mr. Htitchinson, seems to me not satis- 

 factory. Archbishop Newcome 1 and others 

 derive it from a Chaldee root, which signifies 

 to plough, and the radical idea seems to be 

 that of strength and power, which will agree 

 with the nature of the derivative, as indicating 

 the powers, whether physical or metaphysical, 

 that rule under God. Other divines, as God 

 is said to ride upon the cherubim, and they 

 are called his chariot, would derive the word, 

 by transposition, from a root which signifies 

 to ride ; 2 but if a transposition of the letters 

 of the word may be admitted, I should prefer 

 deriving it from a root which signifies to 

 bless or to curse, 3 since, as we shall see, the 

 cherubim are instruments of good or evil, 

 according as God sees fit to employ them ; 

 fruitful seasons and every earthly blessing 

 being brought about by their ministry. 



The word Cherub, pi. cherubim, considered 

 as derived from any of the roots last men- 

 tioned, conveys therefore the idea of strength 



1 Newc. Ezek. c. i. 10, note. 



2 im 3 -pa 



