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Seraphim
SERAPHS, SERAPHIM (sĕr'a-fĭm, Heb. serāphîm). Called seraphs (jb, niv), seraphim (mlb, nasb, neb, rsv, -im being the Hebrew plural ending), and seraphims (kjv). They were celestial beings whom Isaiah, when he was called to the prophetic ministry, saw standing before the enthroned Lord (
The word seraphim means “burning ones.” The same word is used to describe the snakes in the wilderness (
SERAPHIM sĕr’ ə fĭm (שְׂרָפִ֨ים ; pl. prob. of שָׂרָף, H8597; LXX σεραφιν, meaning questioned; possibly burning ones or nobles, KJV [superfluous] seraphims). Rank of angelic beings.
The Biblical data concerning the quantity, appearance, and function of the seraphim is limited primarily to Isaiah’s vision in
Each seraph is said to have six wings, a face, hands, and feet (
Seraphim were prob. an order of supernatural or angelic beings similar to the cherubim (q.v.) possibly related to the living creatures of
Bibliography
G. B. Gray, Isaiah I, ICC (1912), 104-109; P. Heinisch, Theology of the Old Testament (1955), 137; T. H. Gaster, “Angel,” IDB, I (1962), 131, 132; E. J. Young, The Book of Isaiah, I (1965), 234-253; J. L. McKenzie, Dictionary of the Bible (1965), 789; J. de Savignac, “Les Seraphim,” VT, XXII, No. 3 (July, 1972), 320-325.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)
A plural word occurring only in
It is probable enough that popular mythology connected fire with the attendants of the deity in various ways among different peoples, and that burning lies at the base of the idea in all these suggested etymologies. It remains, however, that in Isaiah’s use there is nothing of the popular legend or superstition. These seraphim are august beings whose forms are not at all fully described. They had faces, feet, hands and wings. The six wings, in three pairs, covered their faces and feet in humility and reverence, and were used for sustaining them in their positions about the throne of Yahweh. One of them is the agent for burning (with a coal off the altar, not with his own power or person) the sin from the lips of the prophet.
Seraphim are in Jewish theology connected with cherubim and ophanim as the three highest orders of attendants on Yahweh, and are superior to the angels who are messengers sent on various errands. As the cherubim in popular fancy were represented by the storm-clouds, so the seraphim were by the serpentine flashes of the lightning; but none of this appears in Isaiah’s vision.
In the New Testament the only possible equivalent is in "the living ones" ("beasts" of the King James Version) in