Dictionary Article

Angelic beings mentioned only twice in the Bible, both occurring in the same chapter of Isaiah (Is 6:2, 6 OET ISA 6:2 · OET ISA 6:6). The word seraphim is plural in number, but it is impossible to say from Isaiah’s vision just how many he saw. The prophet spoke of them as though they were quite familiar spiritual beings, which seems a little curious since they are not mentioned elsewhere.

Show passage in OET: ISA 6:2; ISA 6:6

OET-RV ISA 6:2

2 There were ‘serafs’ standing above him. They each had six wings—they used two to cover their faces, two to cover their feet, and two to fly with.

OET-RV ISA 6:6

6 Then one of the ‘serafs’ flew to me. He was holding a hot coal that he’d taken off the altar with a pair of tongs.

OET-LV ISA 6:2

2 Seraphim were_standing from_above to_him/it six wings six wings belonged_to_one with_two_wings he _covered face _of_his and_with_two_wings he _covered feet _of_his and_with_two_wings he _flew.

OET-LV ISA 6:6

6 And_he _flew to_me one of the_seraphim and_was_in_hand _of_his a _live _coal which_with_tongs he _had _taken from_under the_altar.

Jump to OET ISA 6:2 section. · OET ISA 6:6 section.

Isaiah described each seraph as having six wings: two shielded the face, two covered the feet, and the remaining pair enabled the seraph to fly. The most that can be said from the available evidence is that they were exalted spiritual entities who were occupied constantly in the praise and worship of God. Most probably the seraphim were an order of celestial beings comparable in nature to the cherubim and engaged in a somewhat similar form of service around the divine throne.

Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary