What Are the Seraphim — Meaning Explained
The seraphim are angelic beings seen by Isaiah in the temple, with six wings, crying 'Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts.'
The seraphim are angelic beings seen by Isaiah in the temple, with six wings, crying 'Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts.'
"Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory." — Isaiah 6:2-3 (KJV)
What "What Are the Seraphim?" Actually Means
Seraphim appear only in Isaiah's vision of God's throne. They are fiery, angelic creatures — the name comes from a Hebrew root meaning 'to burn' — surrounding the LORD's throne in the temple. Each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They called to one another, 'Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.' At their cry the thresholds shook and the temple filled with smoke. One seraph flew to Isaiah with a burning coal from the altar, touching his lips and declaring his sin purged. The seraphim teach us the character of true worship: reverent posture (covering face and feet), swift obedience (flying), and ceaseless adoration of God's holiness. Their triple 'holy' is the only attribute of God raised to the superlative in Scripture — a Trinitarian hint and a declaration that God's holiness is absolute, infinite, and unapproachable apart from atonement.
Anchor Verses (KJV)
Isaiah 6:2-3
"Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory."
Isaiah 6:6-7
"Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged."
Revelation 4:8
"And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come."
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