הַ/כְּרוּבִ֣ים

𐤄/𐤊𐤓𐤅𐤁𐤉𐤌

hakeruvim

the cherubim

of uncertain derivation; a cherub or imaginary figure; cherub, (plural) cherubims.

H3742

2 Chronicles 3:13 · Word #2

Lexicon H3742

Lemmaכְּרוּב
Lemma (Paleo)𐤊𐤓𐤅𐤁
Transliterationkᵉrûwb
Strong'sH3742
In-contextthe cherubim

Morphology HTd/Ncmpa All morphology codes

Part of Speech N — Noun — A person, place, thing, or idea
Subtype c — Common — Common noun
Gender m — Masculine — Masculine
Number p — Plural — Plural
State a — Absolute — The noun stands independently

SIBI-P1 H3742-02

the cherub-guardians

Rootכרב (k-r-b)
Core Meanings(uncertain); drawing near, interceding, blessing; associated with guardianship and proximity to deity
Semantic RangeHeavenly composite beings, throne-bearers of YHWH, guardians of sacred space (e.g., Eden, the Ark), symbolic representations in temple art.
Conceptual SignificanceThe cherubim mark the boundary of divine holiness and presence—guarding Eden after the exile of humanity and overshadowing the ark as the footstool of YHWH’s throne. They embody both nearness to the divine and the protection of sacred space in Israel’s theology.
Morphological NotesNoun common masculine plural absolute with prefixed definite article (HTd/Ncmpa). No pronominal suffix; functions as a definite plural noun.
Rendering RationaleThe noun כְּרוּב (kᵉrûwb) is of uncertain derivation but is often connected with ideas of nearness or intercession (cf. Akkadian karābu). Rendering it as "cherub-guardians" preserves the traditional term while highlighting their function as sacred throne-bearers and guardians. The definite article הַ and masculine plural absolute form are reflected in "the" and the plural "-guardians."

AI-generated (openai/gpt-5.2-chat-latest)

Words from Root כרב ((uncertain); drawing near, interceding, blessing; associated with guardianship and proximity to deity)

SILEX Code Transliteration SIBI-P1
H3742-01 hakeruv the throne-guardian
H3742-03 keruv a throne-guardian cherub
H3742-04 keruvim cherub-guardians
H3742-05 kheruvim cherub-guardians
H3742-06 lakeruv to the cherub
H3742-07 lakeruvim to the cherubim
H3742-08 likheruv to a cherub-guardian
H3742-09 ukheruv and a cherub-guardian
H3742-10 vehakeruvim and the cherub-guardians

Word Usage (91 occurrences of H3742)

Location Form Transliteration Meaning
Genesis 3:24 הַ/כְּרֻבִ֗ים hakeruvim the cherubim
Exodus 25:18 כְּרֻבִ֖ים keruvim cherubim
Exodus 25:19 כְּר֨וּב keruv cherub