Description

Stunning Statue

Studio Collection – Veronese Design

Details are magnificent

The prophet Isaiah tells us that the seraphim are six-winged “fiery” angels who surround the presence of God as He sits upon His exalted throne and who worship God continually (Isaiah 6). The seraphim also minister to the Lord and serve as His agents of purification, as demonstrated by their cleansing of Isaiah’s sins before he began his prophetic ministry.

In Christian angelology, Seraphim are the red-winged angels who, with Cherubim, are among the first hierarchy of angels next to the throne of God. According to the Old Testament Book of Isaiah, they have six wings: one pair for flying, another covering the face, and the third covering the feet.

This description shows that Seraphim have six wings (three pairs), and their primary role is to praise and worship God. They are known for proclaiming God’s holiness with the repeated cry of “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty.” The imagery of the Seraphim in Isaiah’s vision emphasizes God’s transcendence and majesty.

Part of the angelic hierarchy, Seraphim are not as frequently mentioned in the Bible as other angelic beings, such as cherubim or archangels. Their role is primarily associated with worship and exaltation of God. The term “Seraphim” comes from the Hebrew word “seraph,” which means “burning ones” or “fiery ones,” possibly suggesting a radiant or intense nature.

Isaiah chapter 6 is the only passage in the Bible that specifically mentions the word “seraphim,” meaning “the fiery ones.” Isaiah describes his intense vision of God’s heavenly court in that Biblical chapter. Namely, the prophet saw God seated on an exalted throne surrounded by flying angels called the “seraphim” (Isaiah 6:1-2).

The word “seraphim” is the plural form of the Hebrew root word “saraph,” which means “to burn.” The implication here is that these attendant angels burn with love for God. The seraphim seem to resemble humans, as Isaiah describes them as having faces, feet, hands, and voices (Isaiah 6:2-7).

The seraphim repeatedly proclaim God’s supreme holiness and glory in Isaiah’s vision. (Isaiah 6:3). The seraphim do not address God directly but call out to each other in God’s presence: “And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’” (Isaiah 6:3).

To be “holy” means being set apart and considered sacred. This thrice invocation of the word “holy” to describe God’s sacred nature appears only two times in the Bible, and angels speak both times to someone transported in a vision to the throne of God.

(The other passage containing this thrice invocation of God’s holiness is found in Revelation 4:8, which also refers to six-winged angels surrounding God’s heavenly throne and constantly declaring God’s glory.)

The fact that the seraphim in Isaiah’s vision use a three-fold repetition of God’s holiness—called the trihagion—is significant. In ancient Judaism, the number “three” signified completeness and stability, here connoting God’s wholeness as the beginning, the middle, and the end. Announcing God’s holiness three times also connotes:

• God’s eternal nature, which is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8);
• God’s divine perfection as seen in the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and
• God’s complete and supreme holiness is unmatched by anything or anyone else.

Isaiah goes on to describe the effect of the seraphim’s proclamation, telling us that at the sound of the angel’s voices asserting God’s magnificence, “the doorposts and thresholds shook, and the temple was filled with smoke” (Isaiah 6:4). In Biblical times, earthquakes and smoke were signs of God’s divine presence. (Exodus 19:18; Psalm 104:32).

Abo

Each seraph is described as having six wings: two wings used to cover their face, two used to cover their feet, and the remaining two used to fly.

Two Wings to Cover Their Faces

The seraphim may use four of their six wings to cover themselves to express their humility before God. In particular, these burning angels may use a pair of wings to cover their faces to show God reverence, considering themselves unworthy to look upon the face of God and also in obedience to the Lord’s admonition that no one may see His face and live (Exodus 33:20).

Two Wings to Cover Their Feet

The fact that the seraphim also use a second pair of wings to cover their feet may further display reverence for God in that the angels may be refusing to reveal any unclean aspects of their being before the Lord.

Two Wings to Fly 

The seraphim use their remaining two wings to fly and wait upon God. This detail Isaiah gives us of the seraphim using the majority of their six wings to venerate God and the remaining two wings to serve God may signify that we, as the faithful, serve God best when we venerate Him as our top priority.

 

Paintings of the Seraphim

Fresco of the Seraphim in Hagia Sophia by Christophe Meneboeuf

Seraphim – Jean de Berry

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