An order of angels, mentioned only in one OT passage. Seraphim (the plural is also rendered seraphs) have a physical appearance and a moral and spiritual nature; they understand and use speech. Their functions include the worship of God and the communication of the assurance of forgiveness.
Their appearance
Isaiah 6:2 The covering of faces and feet expresses reverence, humility and awe before God.
Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.
Their functions
Worship of God
Isaiah 6:3 parallel Revelation 4:8
And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.”
Communication with the prophet
Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And with it he touched my mouth and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your iniquity is removed and your sin is atoned for.”
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.