Are Seraphim serpent-angels

Answer 1

A:Yes and no. Reference is made in the Book of Isaiah, chapter 6, to seraphim (sing: seraph or Hebrew, śārāf), who were part of God's retinue and it seems they were six-winged creatures of fire, but Isaiah did not identify the seraphim with angels. Keel and Uehlinger (Gods, Goddesses and Images of God in Ancient Israel) note that mythological four- and six-winged cobras are found in Egyptian mythology and even in Israel, and that the Hebrew name for cobras and the mythological variety is śārāf ('the one that burns'). They say that the Seraphim found in Isaiah can only be viewed as the same mythological creatures.

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On the other hand, Christian tradition has seen Seraphim become a class of angels, along with Cherubim, Thrones, Dominations, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, and (lowest of all) simple 'angels'.

Answer 2

Another answer from our community:

Seraphim are burning angels with six wings and eyes all over even under the wings that circle the throne of God and praise him with their fire.

Answer 3

A:

Reference is made in the Book of Isaiah, chapter 6, to seraphim (sing: seraph or Hebrew, śārāf), who were part of God's retinue and it seems they were six-winged creatures of fire, but Isaiah did not identify the seraphim with angels.

Keel and Uehlinger (Gods, Goddesses and Images of God in Ancient Israel) note that mythological four- and six-winged cobras are found in Egyptian mythology and even in Israel, and that the Hebrew name for cobras and the mythological variety is śārāf ('the one that burns'). They say that the seraphim found in Isaiah can only be viewed as the same mythological serpent creatures. Seraphim should not be thought of as angels in a specific Jewish or Christian sense, but as part of an ancient Near Eastern culture that Israel shared with Egypt and other neighbouring nations.

On the other hand, Christian tradition has seen seraphim become a class of angels, along with Cherubim, Thrones, Dominations, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, and (lowest of all) simple 'angels'.

Answer 4

The origins of the seraphim lie in the black-necked cobra, which applies its poison not only by biting but also by spitting. Archaeologists have found mythological artefacts of these cobras represented with wings. The Hebrew name for both the actual cobra and the mythological variant with wings is śārāf ('the one that burns'). The famous seraphim of Isaiah 6:2, 6 are not to be understood in any other way.

The hands and feet of the seraphim in Isaiah 6 are not proof that they had a human shape, since mythological cobras were depicted not only with wings but also with hands, feet, and even with a human voice. Isaiah did not identify the seraphim with angels.