The ophanim (also called galgallin, galgalim, ofannim, and ophannim) are a class of celestial beings described in the Hebrew Bible and in the Book of Enoch. The word ophanim comes from the Hebrew word ophan, meaning “wheel”.
The ophanim are mentioned alongside other celestial beings like seraphim and cherubim in several passages in the Bible:
- Ezekiel 1:15-21 describes four living creatures, each with four faces and four wings, underneath which were fiery wheels full of eyes.
- Ezekiel 10:9-13 similarly describes cherubim with wheels beside them.
- Daniel 7:9 mentions the Ancient of Days on his throne, with the fiery flames, and thousands upon thousands attending him. The attending beings are ten thousand times ten thousand – an infinite number.
Though not directly named, the wheels attending God’s throne in the Daniel passage are often considered to be the ophanim.
The passage from Ezekiel describes the appearance of the ophanim:
As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature with its four faces. This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: They sparkled like topaz, and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel. As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the creatures faced; the wheels did not change direction as the creatures went. Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around. (Ezekiel 1:15-18)
So the Bible depicts the ophanim as intersecting wheels covered in eyes, attending to the throne of God. They are closely associated with the cherubim. The imagery conveys the mobility of God’s throne and the constant attentiveness and service of these angelic beings.
The Nature and Role of the Ophanim
Though their description is strange, the ophanim are categorized along with the seraphim and cherubim as a high order of angels who attend to God and serve him directly. They reflect attributes of God like all-seeing, all-knowing, and omnipresence.
The eyes covering the wheels likely indicate their role as all-seeing guardians of God’s holiness. The mobility of the wheels may depict the active obedience of these angels to God’s commands. Though their exact role is not described, they serve and glorify God around his throne.
In further extrabiblical Jewish and Christian literature, the ophanim are sometimes listed as a choir of angels who sing God’s praises. Their wheel shape is interpreted as enabling them to travel quickly to carry out God’s orders across the cosmos.
The ophanim are almost always associated closely with the other celestial beings like the cherubim. For example, in 1 Enoch 71, the cherubim and ophanim are described together as never sleeping, but guarding God’s throne.
So the overall role of the ophanim seems to be attending, praising, and serving God in his holiness as all-seeing guardians. Their wheeled nature gives them abilities to travel quickly and carry out God’s commands.
Appearances of the Ophanim in the Bible
The most detailed description of the ophanim comes from Ezekiel’s vision of God’s glory and throne in Ezekiel 1:
Then I looked, and I saw beside the cherubim four wheels, one beside each of the cherubim; the wheels sparkled like topaz. As for their appearance, the four of them looked alike; each was like a wheel intersecting a wheel. As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the cherubim faced; the wheels did not turn about as the cherubim went. Their entire bodies, including their backs, their hands and their wings, were completely full of eyes, as were their four wheels. I heard the wheels being called “the whirling wheels.” Each of the cherubim had four faces: One face was that of a cherub, the second the face of a human being, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle. (Ezekiel 10:9-14)
This depicts the cherubim each with a wheel covered in eyes beside them. The wheels moved with the cherubim and went wherever they faced. This is the source of the concept of the ophanim as all-seeing guardian servants of God on his throne.
In Daniel 7, the prophet has a vision of God the Father, the Ancient of Days, on his throne:
As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened. (Daniel 7:9-10)
Though not directly named, the imagery of flaming wheels attending God’s throne likely refers to the ophanim. This ties them again to the throne of God, picturing them as ablaze with God’s glory.
In Revelation 4, John has a vision of the heavenly throne room. Though it does not mention wheels, the cherubim and “living creatures” covered in eyes are present praising God (Revelation 4:6-9). This links back to the cherubim and ophanim of Ezekiel’s vision.
Aside from these visions, references to the ophanim are rare. But these passages give a complex symbolic picture of these angular beings.
Origins and Historical Interpretations
The vision in Ezekiel draws on the imagery of God’s mobile chariot throne from earlier passages that do not mention the ophanim specifically. For example, 1 Chronicles 28:18 refers to God’s chariot with cherubim spreading their wings over the ark of the covenant.
Ezekiel’s vision draws on this earlier “throne chariot” concept but provides new vivid details. The wheels emphasize God’s constant motion and activity, while the eyes convey his omniscience.
Some scholars trace the origins of the throne chariot imagery to ancient Near Eastern mythology. The Canaanite god Baal was sometimes depicted riding a chariot throne. The vision in Ezekiel may subvert this mythological background to emphasize the supremacy of Yahweh.
Later Jewish mystics extensively developed speculation about the ophanim and the other angels based on the vision in Ezekiel. Their intricate angelology expounded on the roles of different angels in praising God and governing natural processes.
Christian interpreters over time shifted focus away from the bizarre details of Ezekiel’s vision. The symbolic meaning – conveying God’s sovereignty, glory, and omniscience – became more important than speculating about theliteral wheels and eyes.
The general view developed of the ophanim as a high order of angels humbly praising God, obeying his commands, and reflecting his glory.
Parallels to Other Angelic Beings
Seraphim
Like the ophanim, the seraphim are only directly mentioned once in the Bible in Isaiah’s vision of God’s throne (Isaiah 6:1-7). Their name means “burning ones”, indicating their zeal and glory. They have six wings and offer continuous praise to God, singing “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty.”
In later biblical interpretation, both the ophanim and seraphim are usually grouped together as high celestial beings praising God in his immediate presence.
Cherubim
Cherubim are mentioned more frequently than the ophanim, primarily as gold statuary figures associated with the tabernacle and temple. They symbolized the presence, glory, and protection of God.
In Ezekiel’s vision they have four faces – human, lion, ox, and eagle. The cherubim seem to be closely related to the ophanim, as the wheels always appear beside the cherubim attending God’s throne.
The Twenty-four Elders
Revelation 4-5 depicts 24 elders surrounding God’s throne and offering praise like the cherubim. Many believe these 24 elders represent the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles, symbolic of all God’s people glorifying him as priests.
While not directly identified as ophanim, the twenty-four elders seem to play a similar role of offering priestly praise around the heavenly throne.
Significance for Christians Today
While the imagery of the ophanim can seem bizarre and abstract, their symbolic meaning conveys several important theological truths:
- God’s sovereignty – The mobility of the ophanim depicts how God’s reign extends everywhere. Their swift obedience shows God’s control over all creation.
- God’s glory – The eyes covering the wheels emphasize God’s omniscience and wisdom. The ophanim reflect God’s radiance and splendor.
- Angelic praising – The role of the ophanim as attendants at God’s throne reinforces that praising God should be the continual occupation of all creation.
- Mystery of God’s being – Attempts to precisely define the ophanim remind us that God’s full majesty transcends human comprehension.
While speculation about the mechanics of the ophanim is futile, reflecting on their significance directs our awe at God’s greatness. They represent the infinite worth of knowing and worshiping our Creator.