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Bible Dictionaries
Seraphim
Morrish Bible Dictionary
or Symbolical celestial beings seen by Isaiah standing above the Lord on His throne (Adonai, but many MSS read Jehovah ). Each had three sets of wings: with one pair he covered his face, in token of reverence; with another he covered his feet, in token of humility; andwith the third he flew to accomplish his mission.
Gesenius and Fürst give to the word saraph the meanings 'to burn,' and 'to be exalted.' They trace the seraphim to the latter signification, as 'exalted ones.' The word occurs only in Numbers 21:6; Deuteronomy 8:15 , translated 'fiery;' and in Numbers 21:8; Isaiah 14:29; Isaiah 30:6 , translated 'fiery serpent.' In Isaiah 6:2-7 (the plural) the seraphim are exalted beings, but the only actions recorded there are that one brought a live coal from off the altar and laid it upon the prophet's mouth, and said, "Thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged." They cried to one another, "Holy, holy, holy is Jehovah of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory."
The distinction between seraphim and cherubim may be that, while the former bear witness to God's holiness (that is, to His nature), in the latter are exhibited the principles of His righteous government on the earth. The 'living creatures' of Revelation 4 combine the characteristics of both cherubim and seraphim.
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Morrish, George. Entry for 'Seraphim'. Morrish Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/mbd/s/seraphim.html. 1897.
