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A '''seraph''' (/ˈsɛrəf/, "the burning one"; plural '''seraphim''' /ˈsɛrəfɪm/) is a type of [[angel]] originating in Ancient Judaism. The term plays a role in subsequent [[Judaism]], [[Christianity]], and [[Islam]]. | A '''seraph''' (/ˈsɛrəf/, "the burning one"; plural '''seraphim''' /ˈsɛrəfɪm/) is a type of [[angel]] originating in Ancient Judaism. The term plays a role in subsequent [[Judaism]], [[Christianity]], and [[Islam]]. | ||
Tradition places seraphim in the highest rank in the [[hierarchy of angels]] and in the fifth rank of ten in the Jewish angelic hierarchy. A seminal passage in the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1–8) used the term to describe six-winged beings that fly around the Throne of God crying "holy, holy, holy". This throne scene, with its triple invocation of holiness, profoundly influenced subsequent theology, literature and art. Its influence is frequently seen in works depicting | Tradition places seraphim in the highest rank in the [[hierarchy of angels]] and in the fifth rank of ten in the Jewish angelic hierarchy. A seminal passage in the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1–8) used the term to describe six-winged beings that fly around the Throne of God crying "holy, holy, holy". This throne scene, with its triple invocation of holiness, profoundly influenced subsequent theology, literature and art. Its influence is frequently seen in works depicting [[angel]]s, [[heaven]] and apotheosis. Seraphim are mentioned as celestial beings in the non-canonical [[Book of Enoch]] and the canonical [[Book of Revelation]]. | ||
According to ''[[Meteorologica Cosmica]]'' by [[Robert Fludd]], this choir is ruled over by the Archangel [[Metatron]]. | According to ''[[Meteorologica Cosmica]]'' by [[Robert Fludd]], this choir is ruled over by the Archangel [[Metatron]]. | ||
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==Book of Enoch== | ==Book of Enoch== | ||
Seraphim appear in the 2nd-century BC [[Book of Enoch]], where they are mentioned, in conjunction with cherubim, as the | Seraphim appear in the 2nd-century BC [[Book of Enoch]], where they are mentioned, in conjunction with cherubim, as the [[heaven]]ly creatures standing nearest to the throne of [[Yahweh|God]]. In non-biblical sources they are sometimes called the Akyəst (Ge'ez: አክይስት "serpents", "dragons"; an alternate term for [[Hell]]). | ||
In the Second Book of Enoch, two classes of celestial beings are mentioned alongside the seraphim and cherubim, known as the phoenixes and the chalkydri (Ancient Greek: χαλκύδραι khalkýdrai, compound of χαλκός khalkós "brass, copper" + ὕδρα hýdra "hydra", "water-serpent"—lit. "brazen hydras", "copper serpents"). Both are described as "flying elements of the sun" that reside in either the 4th or 6th heaven, who have twelve wings and burst into song at sunrise. | In the Second Book of Enoch, two classes of celestial beings are mentioned alongside the seraphim and cherubim, known as the phoenixes and the chalkydri (Ancient Greek: χαλκύδραι khalkýdrai, compound of χαλκός khalkós "brass, copper" + ὕδρα hýdra "hydra", "water-serpent"—lit. "brazen hydras", "copper serpents"). Both are described as "flying elements of the sun" that reside in either the 4th or 6th heaven, who have twelve wings and burst into song at sunrise. | ||