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Hi, we don't know the exact form of the figures. Figures are representations. In the various mention of Seraphim and Cherubim, their descriptions vary a great deal, while still maintaining some consistent themes and elements. Cherubim and Seraphim are angels. But they are also a represention of groups of angels, or they can represent levels of heaven. Some depictions show one angel standing in for an entire hierarchy of angels. In Ezekiel, it's made explicit that Ezekiel is having symbolic visions. The angels are depicted differently throughout. There are wheels and eyes. Ezekiels vision of the heavens is known as merkevah and has to do with chariots (hence wheels). The angels themselves, being very numerous gather together in the form or shape of a giant chariot. These angels are depicted as having many faces, each representing a cardinal direction. And from one verse to another, a face is changed because its all symbolic anyways. Surrounding the chariot are angels called orphanim who are themselves shaped like wheels, not just gathered together in that shape but they look like wheels. These angels are described as a wheel inside a wheel (so maybe a depiction of angelic hierarchies) Ezekiels vision has to do with seeing the throne of God and has angels surrounding it and lots of symbolic language as well. The chariot is driven by the Lord and the point is that all the angels are looking at the man driving the chariot - its a prophecy of Christ. Mervevah is part of heckelot literature. This means chariot or works of the chariot. This literature consists of experiences of prophets seeing heaven and the throne of God and ascending to heaven, sometimes being themselves crowned as an angel. There's an overlap here with apocalyptic and ascent literature like that in ancient alexandria. A prophet travels to heaven and is given a depiction of heaven. Often seven heavens, with different descriptions of things pertaining to judgement or authorities in heavens. Kingdoms principalities and powers as mentioned in scripture are names for different classifications and types of angels. In some literature you have models like the helio centric model in alexandria used to describe different levels of heaven, or in other literature and the Bible, you have the firmament levels from mesopatamia used to describe levels and aspects of heaven. Some Semitic mythology mentioned in a poetic and symbolic way in scripture is that of the behemoth and the leviathan. The leviathan and behemoth can represent enemies, fallen angels or levels of heaven or levels of angels. A very common theme is the angels in concentric, leveled circles. Dante has depictions of circles of angels in visions. Prophets saw circles of angels. New testament Christians had many depictions of angels in similar formations. These were often called chorals of angels. It's the same thing. Levels and authorities of angels along with some other information. Seraphim means burning (and also serpent) and it's where we get shining one which is one of the names for Satan. The serpent is an angelic being decieved by Satan (you're not bound to that interpretation, I think it can be a snake or an angel) seraphim also is a word that is not by chance similar to the egyptian word for snake. Snakes are associated with wisdom in Egypt and other cultures. So we get the idea of the cunning and deceptive serpent reflected in the word. Angels are thus seen as being wise and serpent like. The Lord councils his disciples in the new testament to be wise as serpants. The words in genesis chapters 1 through 11 reflect some symbolic changes because after the babylon captivity, a redaction of the first chapters of genesis is believed to have taken place, thus using babylonian and Egyptian captivity motifs and motifs from these religions and cultures to symbolically reveal certain things. This is why mesopatamian myths and other ideas of giants and legendary heavenly heroes are used as symbols for angels and in other contexts. The Lord commands Moses to build two seraphim with big wings stretching over the center of the Ark of the Covenant. And the Lord would appear on top of the Ark of the Covenant between the two statues when he'd council with Isreal. (Two seraphim can be seen all over Egypt, we can assume the isrealites saw this while captive) Thus the Lord is known as the thou that dwellest between the cherubims. "And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel." winged creatures and men were all over mesopamia as a symbol. Angels don't actually have wings of course. It's all a symbol of their power and authority and other things. The lammasu is a mythical protective diety that is a beast with a human head. Its just like the synphx or a something above the arc of the Covenant. The isrealites used imagery from the rivals they encountered. Anyways, theres several scriptures in Revelation and other places where Christ tells us that He is the tree of life. In Revelation one of the visions of heaven is of the tree of life. The book of Revelation speaks of Christ as having a two edged sword that proceeds out of his mouth. Isaiah mentions this and mixes it with the imagery of the rod of the Lords mouth which is his judgement and justice. The Lord is the true vine and the tree of life (he is after all what Adam and Eve would seek to get back to but they were not ready) if we think of the vision of the tree of life that Lehi dreamed, the justice of God separates fallen man from God. The cherubim described in the Garden of Eden are a depiction of angels guarding heaven or returning to Heaven and Christ. Christ is Himself the tree of life. It always lead to Him. The sword is Christ's word and jugdement. Now, does thus mean Christ was standing there with a sword? I'm not saying I know the configuration that the angels were in in the Garden but something is clear. The fall of Adam and eve is true and not merely symbolic but the prophets and scribes purposefully highlighted certain details and framed it in a way to also have a symbolic meaning of the Temple. The later mosaic temple ordinances would have symbols to reference the Garden of Eden and Heaven. The tree of life is in the middle in the holy of holies. It resembles a temple menorah. The garden of Eden is at the center of creation. There's an outer garden courtyard and gem imagery is referenced outside. As though their are gems oumb the outside "walls" of the temple. The cherubim stand on either side of the tree of life like those statues stand over the arc of the Covenant.