The ophanim (Hebrew: אוֹפַנִּיםʼōp̄annīm, 'wheels'; singular: אוֹפָןʼōp̄ān), alternatively spelled auphanim or ofanim, and also called galgalim (Hebrew: גַּלְגַּלִּיםgalgallīm, 'spheres, wheels, whirlwinds'; singular: גַּלְגַּלgalgal), refer to the wheels seen in Ezekiel's vision of the chariot (Hebrew merkabah) in Ezekiel 1:15–21. One of the Dead Sea scrolls (4Q405) construes them as angels; late sections of the Book of Enoch (61:10, 71:7) portray them as a class of celestial beings who (along with the Cherubim and Seraphim) never sleep, but guard the throne of God. In Christian angelology, they are one of the choirs (classes) of angels, and are also identified as Thrones.
A traditional depiction of the chariot vision, based on the description in Ezekiel, with an opan on the left side
These "wheels" have been associated with Daniel 7:9 (mentioned as galgal, traditionally "the wheels of galgallin", in "fiery flame" and "burning fire") of the four, eye-covered wheels (each composed of two nested wheels), that move next to the winged Cherubim, beneath the throne of God. The four wheels move with the Cherubim because the spirit of the Cherubim is in them. The late Second Book of Enoch (20:1, 21:1) also referred to them as the "many-eyed ones".
The First Book of Enoch (71.7) seems to imply that the Ophanim are equated to the "Thrones" in Christianity when it lists them all together, in order: "...round about were Seraphim, Cherubim, and Ophanim".[1]
It is said that they were the actual wheels of the Lord's Heavenly Chariot (Merkabah).[2] "The four wheels had rims and they had spokes, and their rims were full of eyes round about." They are also frequently referred to as "many-eyed ones."[3]
The kedusha section in the morning prayer (in the blessings preceding the recitation of the Shema) includes the phrase, "The ophanim and the holy living creatures with great uproar raise themselves up; facing the seraphim they offer praise, saying, 'Blessed be God's glory from His place." The inspiration behind this particular passage is Ezekiel's vision (ch. i.). The theme of angels praising God was inserted into the passage by paytanim (Jewish liturgical poets).[4]
Ophanim are mentioned in the El Adon prayer, often sung by the congregation, as part of the traditional Shabbatmorning service.
In the Jewish angelic hierarchy thrones and wheels are different. This is also true in the Kabbalistic angelic hierarchy.
De Coelesti Hierarchia refers to the Thrones from the Old Testament description as the third Order of the first sphere, the other two superior orders being the Cherubim and Seraphim.
The name of the most glorious and exalted Thrones denotes that which is exempt from and untainted by any base and earthly thing, and the super mundane ascent up the steep. For these have no part in that which is lowest, but dwell in fullest power, immovably and perfectly established in the Most High, and receive the Divine Immanence above all passion and matter, and manifest God, being attentively open to divine participations.[5][6]
Lord of the Flame in the Western Wisdom Teachingsedit
The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception refers that the "Lord of the Flame", the Hierarchy of Elohim astrologically assigned to Leo, are the Thrones (from the Old Testament description, "because of the brilliant luminosity of their bodies and their great spiritual powers."); the other two superior hierarchies being also the Cherubim and Seraphim. According to this conception, the heavenly Seraphim and Cherubim as well as the Ophanim continue to aid humans in spiritual evolution; as do the heavenly Archangels and Angels.
^"The Book of Enoch: Chapter LXXI". www.sacred-texts.com.
^Kaplan, Aaron (2009). Deep Analysis: Frightening Conclusion. Xlibris US. p. 176.
^Orlov, Andrei (2007). From Apocalypticism to Merkabah Mysticism. Brill. p. 411.
^Deutsch, Gotthard. "OFAN (OFANNIM)". The Jewish Encyclopedia. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
^Online, Catholic. "The Nine Choirs of Angels - Angels - Saints & Angels". Catholic Online.
^"What are the categories of Angels (archangels, thrones, dominions, seraphim)?". Catholic Straight Answers. October 24, 2013.
^"The Nine Choirs of Angels – Angels – Saints & Angels". Catholic Online.
^"What are the categories of Angels (archangels, thrones, dominions, seraphim)?". Catholic Straight Answers. October 24, 2013.
January 01, 1970
ophanim, confused, with, ophanin, ofanim, redirects, here, charity, ofanim, charity, ophanim, hebrew, או, ים, ʼōp, annīm, wheels, singular, או, ʼōp, alternatively, spelled, auphanim, ofanim, also, called, galgalim, hebrew, ים, galgallīm, spheres, wheels, whirl. Not to be confused with Ophanin Ofanim redirects here For the charity see Ofanim charity The ophanim Hebrew או פ נ ים ʼōp annim wheels singular או פ ן ʼōp an alternatively spelled auphanim or ofanim and also called galgalim Hebrew ג ל ג ל ים galgallim spheres wheels whirlwinds singular ג ל ג ל galgal refer to the wheels seen in Ezekiel s vision of the chariot Hebrew merkabah in Ezekiel 1 15 21 One of the Dead Sea scrolls 4Q405 construes them as angels late sections of the Book of Enoch 61 10 71 7 portray them as a class of celestial beings who along with the Cherubim and Seraphim never sleep but guard the throne of God In Christian angelology they are one of the choirs classes of angels and are also identified as Thrones A traditional depiction of the chariot vision based on the description in Ezekiel with an opan on the left side These wheels have been associated with Daniel 7 9 mentioned as galgal traditionally the wheels of galgallin in fiery flame and burning fire of the four eye covered wheels each composed of two nested wheels that move next to the winged Cherubim beneath the throne of God The four wheels move with the Cherubim because the spirit of the Cherubim is in them The late Second Book of Enoch 20 1 21 1 also referred to them as the many eyed ones The First Book of Enoch 71 7 seems to imply that the Ophanim are equated to the Thrones in Christianity when it lists them all together in order round about were Seraphim Cherubim and Ophanim 1 Contents 1 Function 2 Ophanim in specific spiritual traditions 2 1 Ophanim in Judaism 2 1 1 In prayer 2 2 Thrones in the Orthodox Church 2 3 Lord of the Flame in the Western Wisdom Teachings 3 See also 4 ReferencesFunction edit nbsp An artist s interpretation of anʼōp an It is said that they were the actual wheels of the Lord s Heavenly Chariot Merkabah 2 The four wheels had rims and they had spokes and their rims were full of eyes round about They are also frequently referred to as many eyed ones 3 Ophanim in specific spiritual traditions editOphanim in Judaism edit Maimonides lists Ophanim as the second to closest of angels to God in his exposition of the Jewish angelic hierarchy In prayer edit The kedusha section in the morning prayer in the blessings preceding the recitation of the Shema includes the phrase The ophanim and the holy living creatures with great uproar raise themselves up facing the seraphim they offer praise saying Blessed be God s glory from His place The inspiration behind this particular passage is Ezekiel s vision ch i The theme of angels praising God was inserted into the passage by paytanim Jewish liturgical poets 4 Ophanim are mentioned in the El Adon prayer often sung by the congregation as part of the traditional Shabbat morning service In the Jewish angelic hierarchy thrones and wheels are different This is also true in the Kabbalistic angelic hierarchy Thrones in the Orthodox Church edit Main article Throne angel De Coelesti Hierarchia refers to the Thrones from the Old Testament description as the third Order of the first sphere the other two superior orders being the Cherubim and Seraphim The name of the most glorious and exalted Thrones denotes that which is exempt from and untainted by any base and earthly thing and the super mundane ascent up the steep For these have no part in that which is lowest but dwell in fullest power immovably and perfectly established in the Most High and receive the Divine Immanence above all passion and matter and manifest God being attentively open to divine participations 5 6 This view was also accepted by the Catholic Church and by Thomas Aquinas 7 8 Lord of the Flame in the Western Wisdom Teachings edit The Rosicrucian Cosmo Conception refers that the Lord of the Flame the Hierarchy of Elohim astrologically assigned to Leo are the Thrones from the Old Testament description because of the brilliant luminosity of their bodies and their great spiritual powers the other two superior hierarchies being also the Cherubim and Seraphim According to this conception the heavenly Seraphim and Cherubim as well as the Ophanim continue to aid humans in spiritual evolution as do the heavenly Archangels and Angels See also editThrone angel Chalkydri Seven archangels List of angels in theologyReferences edit The Book of Enoch Chapter LXXI www sacred texts com Kaplan Aaron 2009 Deep Analysis Frightening Conclusion Xlibris US p 176 Orlov Andrei 2007 From Apocalypticism to Merkabah Mysticism Brill p 411 Deutsch Gotthard OFAN OFANNIM The Jewish Encyclopedia Retrieved December 7 2011 Online Catholic The Nine Choirs of Angels Angels Saints amp Angels Catholic Online What are the categories of Angels archangels thrones dominions seraphim Catholic Straight Answers October 24 2013 The Nine Choirs of Angels Angels Saints amp Angels Catholic Online What are the categories of Angels archangels thrones dominions seraphim Catholic Straight Answers October 24 2013 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ophanim amp oldid 1223232927, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
