Seraphim in the Bible and Art

The one reference to the Seraphim in the Old Testament, can be found in Isaiah Chapter 6, verses 1 through 3, which is Isaiah's vision. The passage reads, "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were Seraphs, each with six wings, with two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another, holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty, the whole earth is full of his glory."

A Seraphim from Migne's Patrologia Latina

Within Christian theology, the Seraphim occupy the highest rank of angels, and are the direct caretakers of God's throne. Circling the heavenly seat, they are locked in an eternal song referred to as the Trisagion song. The first mention of the Seraphim within the Christian New Testament is in the Book of Revelation Chapter 4, verses 6 through 8. This verse goes on to describe them in more detail than the first mention of them in the Old Testament, and has allowed scholars to understand them more. For the scripture excerpt, read on:

"And before the throne there was a sea of glass, and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind. The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and were full of eyes inside and out. Without stopping day or night they were saying, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, who is, and who is coming very soon."

 Monreale Seraphim, from the Basilica Cattedrale di Santa Maria Nuova di Monreale in Sicily, Italy

 

 

Information from seraphim.com