What are the Seraphim?

The Burning Ones in the Presence of God

 

“Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” — Isaiah 6:2-3

 

A biblically based definition of the Seraphim is a unique, high-ranking class of angelic beings who dwell in the immediate presence of God’s throne. Their primary function is not to wage spiritual warfare or deliver messages to humanity, but to ceaselessly worship the Almighty, guard His throne, and proclaim His supreme holiness to all of creation. They are majestic, fiery beings entirely devoted to the magnification of God’s character.

 

Continuing Our Journey Through the Spirit World

In our ongoing discipleship series exploring the unseen spiritual realm, we have established a foundational understanding of the angelic host and the high-ranking Archangels who lead God’s celestial armies. As we continue ascending the heavenly hierarchy, we arrive at the very throne room of God. It is here that we encounter the Seraphim.

For a growing Christian disciple, studying the Seraphim is not an exercise in abstract mythology; it is a profound invitation to witness the eternal standard of worship. By understanding who the Seraphim are and what they do, we are forced to confront the awe-inspiring holiness of God, which radically transforms how we approach Him in our own daily lives.

 

The History and Nature of the Seraphim

Like all angelic beings, the Seraphim are part of the created order. They are immaterial, spiritual beings of immense power and glory.

Created for the Throne

The Apostle Paul teaches in Colossians 1:16 that all things in heaven and earth, visible and invisible—including all “thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers”—were created by Jesus Christ and for Him. The Seraphim were created specifically to inhabit the most holy place in the universe: the immediate presence of the Triune God. They were present at the dawn of creation and will continue their eternal ministry into the New Heavens and New Earth.

The “Burning Ones”

The word seraphim (singular: seraph) comes from a Hebrew root word meaning “to burn” or “to consume with fire.” Therefore, the Seraphim are literally the “burning ones.” In Scripture, fire is frequently associated with God’s consuming holiness, purity, and righteous judgment (Hebrews 12:29). The Seraphim burn with a passionate, blazing zeal for the Lord, reflecting the very glory and radiant purity of the God they serve.

 

Characteristics and Biblical Accounts

The most detailed and explicit biblical account of the Seraphim is found in the Old Testament book of Isaiah, chapter 6. In the year that King Uzziah died, the prophet Isaiah was granted a terrifying and magnificent vision of the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up. Above this throne stood the Seraphim.

The Six Wings of Reverence and Service

Isaiah 6:2 provides a specific physical description of these spiritual beings in their manifested form, noting that each Seraph possesses six wings. The use of these wings reveals profound theological truths about their nature and their posture before God:

• Two Covered Their Faces: Even though the Seraphim are sinless, holy beings, they cannot look directly upon the unfiltered, infinite glory of God. Covering their faces is an act of supreme reverence, humility, and awe, acknowledging that God the Creator is infinitely greater than even the highest of His creations.
• Two Covered Their Feet: In biblical times, the feet were often considered the lowliest or most unseemly part of the body. Covering their feet symbolizes deep humility and an acknowledgment of their creatureliness in the presence of the uncreated God.
• Two Were Used to Fly: The remaining two wings were used for flight, symbolizing their constant readiness, swiftness, and eager obedience to carry out God’s sovereign will without hesitation.

The Functions of the Seraphim

The Seraphim hold a specific place within the angelic hierarchy, often considered by theologians to be the highest order of angels due to their immediate proximity to God. Their functions are uniquely tied to this proximity:

1. Ceaseless Worship and Proclamation of Holiness

The primary occupation of the Seraphim is the continuous, unending worship of God. According to Isaiah 6:3, they cry out to one another in a responsive chant: “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” This threefold repetition (the Trisagion) is used in Hebrew literature to express the ultimate degree of a characteristic. God is not merely holy; He is the holiest of all. He is set apart, completely pure, and morally perfect. The Seraphim dedicate their entire existence to declaring this truth.

2. Agents of Divine Purification

The Seraphim also act as ministers of God’s purifying grace. When Isaiah witnessed the holiness of God and the perfection of the Seraphim, he was immediately struck by his own sinfulness, crying out, “Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5). In response, one of the Seraphim flew to the altar, took a burning coal with tongs, and touched it to Isaiah’s lips. The Seraph declared, “Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged” (Isaiah 6:7). The Seraphim are therefore instruments used by God to prepare and purify His servants for ministry.

The Importance of Knowing This for a Growing Disciple

Understanding the Seraphim and their ministry in the heavenly throne room is highly practical for a growing disciple today:

1. It Cultivates a Proper View of God’s Holiness
In modern Christianity, it is easy to focus so heavily on God’s love and approachability that we forget His consuming, transcendent holiness. The Seraphim remind us that the God we serve is perfectly pure. If sinless, burning angels must cover their faces in His presence, how much more should we approach Him with deep reverence and holy fear?

2. It Defines True Worship
The Seraphim provide the ultimate model for worship. True worship is not about our entertainment or emotional fulfillment; it is about recognizing and declaring the worthiness of God. When we gather with the church to sing and pray, we are literally joining our voices with the eternal song of the Seraphim.

3. It Highlights the Necessity of the Cross
Isaiah’s terror in the presence of God’s holiness is the correct response of a sinful human. We cannot stand before a holy God on our own merits. Just as the Seraph brought a burning coal from the altar to purify Isaiah, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be the ultimate sacrifice on the altar of the cross. It is only through the purifying blood of Jesus that we can confidently enter the throne room of grace.

Next Steps for Your Discipleship Journey

To practically apply the theology of the Seraphim to your daily life, engage with the following S.T.E.P.S. resources this week:

1. Review Your THEOLOGY Assessment: Revisit the section on “God’s Nature and Character” (Topic 1). Reaffirm your understanding of God’s absolute holiness, just as the Seraphim declare it (Isaiah 6:3).
2. Deepen Your PRACTICE of Worship: Review the “Prayer and Worship” section (Topic 9). Evaluate your personal and corporate worship habits. Are you approaching God with the reverence of the Seraphim? Begin your prayer times this week simply by praising God for His holiness before making any requests.
3. Reflect on the Trinity: The Seraphim’s threefold cry of “Holy, Holy, Holy” has long been viewed by the church as a pointer to the Triune nature of God. Review the “Essential Doctrines” concerning the Trinity to deepen your understanding of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit whom the Seraphim adore.