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—seraphlike, adj.1. one of the celestial beings hovering above God's throne in Isaiah's vision. Isa. 6.2. a member of the highest order of angels, often represented as a child's head with wings above, below, and on each side.[1660-70; back formation from SERAPHIM]
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In Jewish, Christian, and Islamic literature, a celestial being with two or three pairs of wings who guards the throne of God.In Christian angelology, seraphim are the highest-ranking in the hierarchy of angels. In art they are often painted red, symbolizing fire. They appear in the Old Testament in a vision of Isaiah as six-winged creatures praising God. See also cherub.* * *
▪ angelin Jewish, Christian, and Islāmic literature, celestial being variously described as having two or three pairs of wings and serving as a throne guardian of God. Often called the burning ones, seraphim in the Old Testament appear in the Temple vision of the prophet Isaiah as six-winged creatures praising God in what is known in the Greek Orthodox church as the Trisagion (“Thrice Holy”): “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isaiah 6:3). In Christian angelology the seraphim are the highest-ranking celestial beings in the hierarchy of angels.In art the four-winged cherubim are painted blue (symbolizing the sky) and the six-winged seraphim red (symbolizing fire). Compare cherub.* * *
Universalium. 2010.
