Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Ophanim

The Ophanim (Hebrew: אופנים, meaning "wheels") are a class of celestial beings described in the as interlocking, eye-covered wheels that accompany the four living creatures in the prophet 's of God's heavenly , or merkabah, symbolizing divine mobility, , and . In :15–21, they are depicted as tall, gleaming wheels like beryl, capable of moving in any of four directions without turning, with rims full of eyes all around, rising and going wherever the spirit directs in unison with the cherubim-like creatures. In Jewish tradition, the Ophanim represent a distinct order of angels within the broader angelic , often positioned as bearers of the divine and guardians of cosmic order alongside seraphim and cherubim. Their biblical portrayal in chapters 1 and 10 forms the foundation for later interpretations, emphasizing God's sovereignty over creation through their synchronized, all-seeing motion. Within , particularly , the Ophanim are elevated as emanations of divine energy flowing through the , the mystical attributes of , and are associated with the world of Assiyah (action), the lowest of the four spiritual realms where they facilitate the actualization of physical creation. Kabbalistic texts, such as the , portray them as integral to the merkabah tradition, where meditative ascent to heavenly visions involves contemplating their form to achieve spiritual insight. This mystical role underscores their function in bridging the transcendent divine and the material world, influencing esoteric practices from the Second Temple period onward.

Etymology and Terminology

Name Origins

The term "Ophanim" originates from the Hebrew noun ʿōp̄annīm, the plural form of ʿōp̄ān, which denotes "wheels" or "cycles" and derives from an unused root implying revolution or circular motion. This linguistic root reflects the dynamic, rotating nature of the entities described in ancient texts, where the singular ʿōp̄ān appears in everyday contexts for chariot wheels or similar objects, but takes on a visionary connotation in prophetic literature. The word first emerges in its specialized sense in the Hebrew Bible's Book of Ezekiel 1:15–21, where the prophet envisions interlocking wheels accompanying living creatures in a divine theophany, marking the initial textual attestation of "ophanim" as celestial phenomena. In this passage, the term underscores the synchronized movement of these wheels with heavenly beings, establishing a foundational image in Jewish apocalyptic imagery. In post-biblical Jewish literature, such as the Book of Enoch (1 Enoch), the concept of ophanim evolves further, solidifying their identification as celestial wheels integrated into angelic orders; for example, 1 Enoch 61:10 enumerates the ophanim among the highest heavenly hosts alongside cherubim and seraphim, portraying them as vigilant guardians of the divine realm. This development in pseudepigraphal texts like 1 Enoch, dated to the second century BCE, expands the term beyond mere mechanical description to denote a class of ethereal entities. Translations into other languages also shaped perceptions of ophanim. The , the third-century BCE Greek version of the Hebrew Scriptures, translates ʿōp̄annīm in :15–21 as trochoi, the standard Greek term for wheels, which highlights their rotational aspect while potentially evoking Hellenistic ideas of cosmic cycles. Aramaic renditions in texts like Targum Jonathan similarly employ terms such as galgalin (rolling wheels), preserving the core imagery but adapting it to dialectical nuances that influenced intertestamental interpretations. Within broader Jewish angelic hierarchies, ophanim thus connect to structured celestial orders, emphasizing their role in divine mobility. In Christian angelology, the Ophanim are identified with the celestial order of Thrones (Greek: thronoi), a connection rooted in Colossians 1:16, which enumerates "s" among the invisible powers and principalities created through Christ. This equivalence portrays the Ophanim as bearers of divine justice and stability, embodying the majestic wheels envisioned in that support God's sovereignty in the heavenly realm. Within Merkabah literature, the Ophanim are associated with the Hebrew term galgalim, denoting "spheres" or "whirlwinds," which describe the rotating, interlocking wheels integral to the divine chariot's structure. In texts such as the Greater Hekhalot, the galgalim are invoked as elements that "bear up the wheel of the of His glory," accompanied by hymns from celestial princes that emphasize their role in the mystical ascent to the . The Ophanim differ from the cherubim, which are depicted as the four living creatures with multiple faces in Ezekiel's visions, serving as direct attendants to the divine throne. Although the Ophanim interact with these cherubim—appearing as eye-covered wheels adjacent to them—they are elevated as a distinct angelic species, often termed galgali to highlight their animated, non-literal wheel nature beyond mere mechanical support.

Biblical Descriptions

Ezekiel's Visions

The prophet , exiled to in 597 BCE, received his initial visionary experiences in the fifth year of King Jehoiachin's exile, corresponding to 593 BCE, while residing among the Jewish captives by the Chebar River. This setting framed a series of prophetic visions depicting and movement amid the ' displacement. In the first major vision recorded in Ezekiel 1:15-21, the prophet observes four interlocked wheels positioned alongside the four living creatures, each wheel appearing as if intersecting another to enable fluid motion. The text describes the wheels as sparkling like beryl, moving in any of the four directions faced by the creatures without turning or pivoting, and rising or standing still in perfect synchronization with them, as the spirit animating the creatures also dwelt within the wheels. This portrayal presents the wheels as integral to a mobile divine apparatus, underscoring God's capacity for omnipresent action in the prophetic context. The vision recurs and expands in Ezekiel 10:1-22, where the wheels are situated beside the cherubim, explicitly connecting them to the divine of positioned above these beings. Here, the wheels are again depicted as intersecting and sparkling like beryl, moving in unison with the cherubim without directional change, and identified by the "the whirling wheels." The passage emphasizes their linkage to the cherubim and the , as of the rises from the cherubim and hovers above the structure, with the wheels facilitating this departure. The rims of these wheels, like those in the initial vision, are noted as being full of eyes.

Physical Characteristics

The Ophanim, derived from the Hebrew term meaning "wheels," are described in the as four interlocking wheels positioned on the earth adjacent to each of the four living creatures. Their distinctive structure consists of a within a , enabling a complex, intersecting form that allows for multidirectional movement. The material and appearance of the Ophanim evoke a sense of , with their construction likened to the gleaming of beryl, a translucent , imparting a sparkling, otherworldly quality. The rims of these wheels are described as tall and formidable, covered entirely with eyes encircling their perimeter, providing a vivid of their intricate and watchful design. In terms of mobility, the Ophanim exhibit the ability to proceed in any of the four cardinal directions without requiring rotation or turning, moving in perfect synchronization with the living creatures to which they are bound. This integration underscores their role in facilitating the conveyance of the divine throne across the heavens.

Roles and Functions

In the Divine Chariot

In the biblical account of Ezekiel's vision, the Ophanim serve as the wheels of the Merkabah, the divine chariot that bears God's throne, enabling its movement in any direction without turning. This structure allows for the chariot's omnipresent mobility across the heavens, as the wheels move alongside the four living creatures, responding instantaneously to divine direction. The Ophanim's interlocking design, resembling a wheel within a wheel, facilitates this fluid motion while maintaining stability for the entire apparatus. The motion of the Ophanim is intrinsically synchronized with the animating the living creatures, ensuring that wherever the leads, the wheels follow without deviation. This harmony underscores that the chariot's progression is governed solely by divine will, with the Ophanim acting as extensions of that force rather than independent entities. As Ezekiel observes, "the of the living creatures was in the wheels," binding their operation to the broader . As integral components of the divine , with God's resting above the , the Ophanim embody the of the divine over all , portraying a yet unassailable seat of authority. This foundational role highlights how the wheels not only propel the but also affirm God's unchallenged , as the 's elevation above them signifies amid purposeful movement.

Symbolic Attributes

The Ophanim's depiction as being covered with eyes all around, as described in Ezekiel 10:12, symbolizes divine and the all-seeing of , conveying the idea that nothing escapes the eternal vigilance of the divine realm. This abundance of eyes underscores a comprehensive that permeates every aspect of , representing 's boundless and watchful care over the . The interlocking structure of the wheels, often rendered as a "wheel within a wheel," evokes the profound complexity and interconnectedness of the , illustrating how divine order binds disparate elements into a unified whole. This design highlights the multifaceted nature of reality, where spiritual and material dimensions interweave seamlessly under God's sovereignty. Their , synchronized effortlessly with the cherubim without deviation, signifies perfect harmony and the of existence in God's presence, embodying an unending, serene dynamism that transcends temporal limitations. This progression reflects the flawless equilibrium of divine will, where all movements align in timeless accord.

In Religious Traditions

Judaism

In Jewish , the Ophanim occupy a prominent position within the angelic hierarchy. According to in his (Foundations of the Torah 2:2-3), the Ophanim constitute the second highest rank of angels, immediately below the Chayot Hakodesh, serving as intermediaries that execute divine will through their spherical, wheel-like forms. In Kabbalistic tradition, particularly as elaborated in the framework of the , the Ophanim are associated with the in the world of Assiyah, the realm of action, where they facilitate the manifestation of divine energies in the physical creation. The Ophanim play a central role in , an early form of Jewish esoteric practice focused on visionary ascents to the divine throne. In the Heikhalot literature, composed between the 3rd and 8th centuries CE, mystics describe meditative journeys through heavenly palaces (heikhalot) culminating in encounters with the , or divine , where the Ophanim appear as interlocking wheels propelling the throne and chanting praises to . These texts emphasize the Ophanim's dynamic motion and their integration into the celestial , guiding the toward ecstatic union with the divine. In Jewish liturgy, the Ophanim are invoked during the Kedusha prayers, where congregants emulate the angelic hosts in sanctifying God's name. The Kedusha section of the Yotzer Or blessing in the morning service explicitly references the Ophanim alongside serafim and chayyot, proclaiming their unified cry of "Holy, holy, holy" from Isaiah 6:3, thereby linking human worship to the eternal praise of the heavens. This practice, rooted in talmudic sources, underscores the Ophanim's function as models for communal , fostering a sense of participation in the divine realm during prayer.

Christianity

In , the Ophanim—depicted as interlocking wheels in the visions of —are equated with the angelic order of the Thrones, an invisible realm of created beings referenced in the (1:16), where they are enumerated among thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers formed through Christ. This adaptation integrates the imagery of divine chariot-bearers into the Christian hierarchical framework, portraying the Thrones as foundational supports of God's sovereignty. The foundational patristic elaboration appears in Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite's 5th-century treatise The Celestial Hierarchy, which positions the Thrones within the supreme triad of angels, alongside the Seraphim and Cherubim, as the closest to the divine essence. Dionysius characterizes them as embodiments of unity, simplicity, constancy, and firmness, functioning as "seats" or receptacles that bear , receive His purifying illumination, and manifest steadfast participation in the divine life without composition or dissolution. In Eastern Orthodox tradition, the Thrones, synonymous with the Ophanim, are venerated as direct bearers of God's , actively involved in the celestial worship that mirrors the earthly . They symbolize divine and presence, often invoked implicitly through hymns praising the heavenly hosts surrounding the throne. In , they appear as radiant, beryl-colored wheels covered in eyes, with wings denoting swiftness, positioned near Christ's feet as a to underscore their supportive role in the divine economy. Western medieval scholasticism, exemplified by in his (Prima Pars, Q. 108), refines this view by highlighting the Thrones' contemplative essence within the first angelic . Aquinas describes them as angels who immediately perceive the archetypes of divine works and judgments in , bearing His essence aloft while enlightening subordinate orders; their stability and openness enable profound on cosmic order, distinguishing them as pure receptacles of unmediated divine influx.

Esoteric and Modern Interpretations

Occult and Mystical Views

In , as articulated by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky in , the Ophanim are portrayed as celestial intelligences governing the spheres and stars, serving as directing agents that regulate cosmic motions and emanations. These beings are equated with the "wheels" or world-spheres in Kabbalistic cosmology, particularly in the Sepher Jezirah, where they form part of the divine engraving of the alongside the throne of glory, Seraphim, and sacred animals. Blavatsky further identifies them as Dhyan Chohans or cosmic forces, interchangeable with the Ophanim referenced by St. John, embodying the universal light that pervades all manifestation and connecting the spiritual to the material realms. Within Rudolf Steiner's Anthroposophy, developed in the early 20th century, the Ophanim—equated with the Thrones—are higher spiritual entities associated with the fire elements and the Saturn sphere, streaming fiery ethers that initiate cosmic evolution. Steiner describes them in lectures as the "wheels of the Merkabah," symbolizing the pivotal turns in human spiritual development, aligned with the ten Sefirot: four stages for the physical body (Saturn, Sun, Moon, Earth), three for the etheric body (Sun, Moon, Earth), two for the astral body (Moon, Earth), and one for the ego (Earth). These beings govern the dynamic processes of will and transformation, infusing the universe with active, luminous forces akin to a "Lord of the Flame" overseeing ethereal combustion and planetary incarnation.

Contemporary References

In the , the Ophanim have captured attention in via the "biblically accurate angels" trend, which emerged in the and exploded in popularity around on platforms such as , , and . This phenomenon contrasts the serene, humanoid depictions of angels in and with the stark, otherworldly descriptions from biblical texts, particularly emphasizing the Ophanim's horrifying form of interlocking wheels covered in eyes. Digital artists and creators have produced countless illustrations, animations, and humorous posts portraying these entities as nightmarish mechanical structures, often evoking reactions of fascination mixed with dread to highlight the strangeness of ancient scriptural imagery. By late 2024, the trend extended to holiday decorations, including "biblically accurate" angel toppers. Within alternative spirituality and psychedelic communities, the Ophanim's wheeled and eye-covered form has been compared in fringe discussions to entities encountered in (DMT) experiences since the 1990s. Ethnobotanist , who coined the term "machine elves," described these entities as playful, self-transforming, fractal-like beings encountered in DMT-induced hyperspace, often characterized by mechanical and hyperdimensional qualities. Researcher has noted similarities between such DMT visions—sometimes involving mechanized wheels or gears—and biblical descriptions like the Ophanim, suggesting possible shared neuropsychopharmacological origins for transcendent encounters. Jungian interpretations view angelic visions, including those in featuring the Ophanim, as archetypes emerging from the , embodying wholeness and the unification of psychic opposites in psychological analyses. Such motifs from religious texts are explored to illuminate the psyche's deeper structures, with wheels often symbolizing and cosmic in Jung's framework.

References

  1. [1]
    Ezekiel 1
    ### Extracted Text: Ezekiel 1:15-21 (Hebrew and English)
  2. [2]
    Bible Gateway passage: Ezekiel 1:15-21 - English Standard Version
    ### Extracted Biblical Text (Ezekiel 1:15-21, ESV)
  3. [3]
    The Role of Angels and Spiritual Beings across Abrahamic Traditions
    Jun 3, 2025 · Angels and spiritual beings have an important role in the revealed religions. These are considered intermediaries between the God and human realms in Judaism, ...<|separator|>
  4. [4]
    Jewish angelology and the absence of Ezekiel 1:14 and 10:14 in the ...
    The angelological content in Ezekiel 1 and 10 is dis- cussed under the following headings: 1) The Living Beings in Ez 1:4-14; 2) The four Ophanim in Ezekiel 1: ...
  5. [5]
    The Four Worlds - Chabad.org
    Below him were the Ophanim, the angels of the world of Assiyah. Throne of the world of Beriah was above him. Sitting on the Throne was the form of a man ...
  6. [6]
    [PDF] THE DEVELOPMENT OF JEWISH IDEAS OF ANGELS: - CORE
    This dissertation sets out to test the hypothesis that Egyptian and Hellenistic connections to Jewish beliefs about the functioning of angels facilitated ...
  7. [7]
    H212 - 'ôp̄ān - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (kjv) - Blue Letter Bible
    H212 - אוֹפָן ʼôwphân, o-fawn'; or (shortened) אֹפָן ʼôphân; from an unused root meaning to revolve; a wheel:—wheel.
  8. [8]
  9. [9]
    [PDF] A New English Translation of the Septuagint. 38. Iezekiel
    The NETS version of Iezekiel (Ezekiel) follows the Greek edition by Joseph Ziegler Septuaginta: Vetus Tes- tamentum Graecum Auctoritate Academiae ...Missing: Ophanim tromoi
  10. [10]
    Andrei Orlov Enochic Tradition - Marquette University
    Scholars agree that the anthropomorphic imagery of the Hebrew Bible was "crystallized" in the tradition, known to us as the Priestly source.
  11. [11]
    (PDF) Angels - Academia.edu
    Ophanim (Ezk 1.15–16, 3.13, 10.10, 19, 11.22, Heb. ʾôp̄ annîm, Dan 7.9, Heb. galəgillwōhî) or Thrones (Dan 7.9, Heb. kārəsāwān, Col 1.16, Rev 11.16, Gk ...
  12. [12]
    [PDF] Jewish Gnosticism, Merkabah Mysticism, and Talmudic Tradition
    This little book consists of t e slightly enlarged text of the Israel. Goldstein lectures delivered under the auspices of The Jewish The.
  13. [13]
    A Comparison with Key Angelological Verses in Ezekiel 1 and 10
    For instance, Ezek 1:15 to 22 describe the ophanim, , which appear to be four huge wheels each standing beside each of the four living creatures, and each ...
  14. [14]
    Background of Ezekiel - Enter the Bible
    There, in his 30th year (593 BCE), he received a powerful vision and a call to be a prophet. Between this first exile and the final fall of Jerusalem (in 587 ...
  15. [15]
    Introduction to Ezekiel | ESV.org
    The first dated message in Ezekiel is from the summer of 593 BC, four years after Nebuchadnezzar deported the first group of exiles to Babylon.Missing: BCE | Show results with:BCE
  16. [16]
  17. [17]
    What Does the Vision in Ezekiel 1 Mean? - Logos Bible Software
    Comparing his vision to Babylonian iconography reveals that Ezekiel saw a divine “throne chariot” of the heavens—widely described in the ancient biblical world.Missing: 1:15-21 | Show results with:1:15-21
  18. [18]
    Bible Gateway passage: Ezekiel 10 - New International Version
    ### Extracted Text on Wheels (Ezekiel 10:1-22, NIV)
  19. [19]
    What are the ophanim? | GotQuestions.org
    Jan 4, 2022 · Ophanim is the ancient Hebrew word for “wheels.” The singular is ophan. Of course, wheels are mentioned a number of times in the Old Testament.Missing: ofan | Show results with:ofan
  20. [20]
  21. [21]
  22. [22]
  23. [23]
  24. [24]
  25. [25]
    Ezekiel's Vision of God and the Chariot - TheTorah.com
    Jun 5, 2019 · Ezekiel 1 was chosen as the haftarah for the first day of Shavuot, [1] as it picks up on the theme of divine revelation, which is what the festival celebrates.
  26. [26]
    Ezekiel 10:12 Their entire bodies, including their backs, hands, and ...
    The abundance of eyes suggests that the cherubim possess comprehensive insight and understanding, reflecting God's omniscience. This imagery is echoed in ...
  27. [27]
    A Wheel Within a Wheel | Torah and Science
    May 21, 2021 · Among the most enigmatic figures in the prophecy of Ezekiel are Ophanim (literally “wheels”; ophan is a singular “wheel,” with ophanim the ...
  28. [28]
    Who are the Ophanim in the Bible? Angels Meaning and Purpose
    These luminescent, interlocking wheels have come to be known as Ophanim, after the ancient Hebrew word meaning wheels. The four Ophanim, guided by the same ...Missing: ofan 1:15-21<|control11|><|separator|>
  29. [29]
    Understanding the Mysterious Wheel Angels in Ezekiel's Vision
    In Ezekiel 1:15–21, the prophet described them as eye-covered wheels intersecting in a way that allowed movement in four directions without the need to turn.<|separator|>
  30. [30]
    The Ophanim: Unraveling the Mystery of the Wheel Angels | History
    The "wheel within a wheel" structure represents the intricate, multi-dimensional nature of the universe and the interconnectedness of all things.Missing: interlocking | Show results with:interlocking
  31. [31]
    [PDF] The Merkavah Tradition and the Emergence of Jewish Mysticism
    Most of. Qumran literature has been published in scholarly editions. Most worthy of mention in the context of this article are: M. Broshi and E. Qimron, Berit ...
  32. [32]
    [PDF] Rachel Elior - Marquette University
    Some of the traditions that come together in Hekhalot literature associate the celestial service and its combination of Merkavah vision and Temple ritual with ...<|separator|>
  33. [33]
  34. [34]
    Pseudo-Dionysius: Celestial Hierarchy
    Celestial Hierarchy. Theme. Font. Aa Aa. Text Size. A. A. Bible Version. Disable ... And he says that the teachings of the holy Word testify that the most holy ...
  35. [35]
    The Divinely-Revealed Appearance of Angels in Icons
    Jan 12, 2012 · Inscriptions on icons reveal whether a seraphim or cherubim is being depicted. The Thrones or Ophanim: Shimmering Wheels. From the John the ...Missing: Eastern | Show results with:Eastern
  36. [36]
    Question 108. The angelic degrees of hierarchies and orders
    Hence the lesser angel of the heavenly hierarchy can not only cleanse, but also enlighten and perfect, and in a higher way than can the orders of our hierarchy.
  37. [37]
    Vol 1, bk 1, sec 5 - The Secret Doctrine - The Theosophical Society
    H. P. Blavatsky. Vol. 1, Page 106 THE SECRET DOCTRINE ... Ophanim, the Angels of the Spheres and stars, of which they are the ...
  38. [38]
    Vol 1, bk 1, sec 4 - The Secret Doctrine - The Theosophical Society
    In the Sepher Jezirah it is stated that “God engraved in the Holy Four the throne of his glory, the Ophanim (Wheels or the World-Spheres), the Seraphim,* the ...
  39. [39]
    Vol 1, bk 2, ch 3 - The Secret Doctrine - The Theosophical Society
    It is perfectly immaterial whether we call these “Forces” the Dhyan Chohans, or the Ophanim, as St. John does. “The one Universal Light, which to Man is ...
  40. [40]
    Lecture IV - Vol. 110. The Spiritual Hierarchies (1928)
    Just as earlier, the fire elements of the Thrones, streamed towards ancient Saturn, so now other Beings come to meet the out-streaming Archangels, Beings who ...Missing: Ophanim Lord
  41. [41]
    Ophanim - AnthroWiki
    Mar 4, 2022 · Exalted spiritual beings mentioned in the apocryphal Book of Enoch. In Hebrew their name means wheels. In fact, they are said to be the wheels of the Merkabah.
  42. [42]
    Oa-Oz - Encyclopedic Theosophical Glossary
    'Ophanim or 'Ophannim (Hebrew) 'Ōfannīm [plural of 'ōfān wheel from 'āfan to revolve, turn] The “wheels” seen by Ezekiel, and by John in Revelation, meaning ...
  43. [43]
    Thrones - AnthroWiki
    Jul 15, 2022 · Occasionally they are also equated with the Ophanim (Hebrew: אוֹפַנִּים "wheels"), the wheels of the Merkabah, the Throne Chariot of God. „The name ...Missing: Flame | Show results with:Flame
  44. [44]
    What Are 'Biblically Accurate Angels' And Why Are They A Meme?
    Jan 4, 2023 · ... biblically accurate angels" is the classical description of Ophanim, angels tasked with guarding God's throne. They are described as being ...
  45. [45]
    'Biblically Accurate Angel' Memes Are Terrifying - The Daily Dot
    Jan 1, 2024 · 'Biblically Accurate Angels' memes contrast the serene depiction of angels in Western art with their intimidating descriptions in the Bible.
  46. [46]
    Tryptamine Hallucinogen Consciousness - Terence McKenna
    Terence McKenna describes his encounters with DMT and psilocybin, powerful tryptamine compounds that launch users into hyperspace where they meet ...Missing: Ophanim | Show results with:Ophanim
  47. [47]
    The Psychology of Angels - Eternalised
    Oct 25, 2023 · As an archetype, the angel emerges from the deep timeless portion of the psyche, the collective unconscious. The idea of archetypes is an ...