Edomite Cherub from Horvat Qitmit
Ancient near-eastern peoples imagined Cherubim (blessed ones?) as lions or bulls with human heads and eagle wings. We see hints of this in Ezekiel 1:5–11 and Revelation 4:1-11. These were understood as guardians of thrones or sacred entrances who sometimes served as flying thrones for high gods.
Bulla with Seraph from Jerusalem
Ancient near-eastern peoples imagined seraphim (burning ones) as cobras whose hoods were reimagined as drooping wings, then lifted wings, then two pairs of wings, then three pairs of wings. These were understood as righteous persecutors.
