Rewrite the article as study notes. Each section should include bullet points

Glorious humanoids with gilded armors, beautiful wings, perfect faces, and an all-righteous nature that brings warmth, comfort, and solace — that’s how we picture angels. After all, that’s how we’ve depicted the majestic creatures throughout history in every piece of art and literature.

Is this common description a portrayal of our reimagination, or does it have a striking resemblance to angels who rule heaven?

According to the Bible, it would appear that we’re in the wrong. Unlike the gentle, human-like apparitions we’re familiar with, angels look strange, terrifying even. And it would appear that there’s a good reason behind it.


Biblical Depiction of an Angel via reddit.com
Conceptualizing Angels: A Brief History
The word “angel” has a couple of origins. It is derived from the Greek word “angelos,” and the Greek word, in turn, comes from the Hebrew word “Mal’ akh,” which stands for messenger.


When we’re visualizing an angel, we’re often thinking of Malakim, who acted on God’s behalf in the Old Testament to carry out his judgment and took on the role of messengers in the New Testament.

Malakim are said to be the closest depiction of human beings. However, they are not mentioned in the Bible as beings with wings.

Indeed, the earliest known Christian image of an angel, from the mid-third century, depicted them as human-like beings without wings.

This image, however, changed in the late fourth century as artists reimagined angels with wings to represent their sublime nature, even though the scripture makes no mention of wings.


Popular Angels and Their Biblical Forms
Let’s take a look at some of the most well-known depictions of the angels we’re familiar with and how much they differ from their Biblical descriptions.

Cherubim
According to the Bible, cherubim are responsible for guarding the Garden of Eden — the Biblical terrestrial paradise — against humankind when Adam and Eve, the first humans, were driven out of the heavenly garden.

The prophet Ezekiel’s vision of cherubim is depicted in the Book of Ezekiel in which they are portrayed as having four faces — one of an eagle, one a human, one an ox, and finally a lion.

Cherubim have straight legs, four wings (one set covers their body while the other is used for flying), and bull hooves for feet.


Cherubim – Art by Art by KelbremDusk
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This portrayal is nothing like what we imagine them to be. Cherubim, commonly known as cherubs, are depicted as chubby, beautiful, naked children with wings in art, as represented by Renaissance sculptors who revived the ancient practice of putti.


These depictions of Cherubim are often connected with divinity. These animal-human hybrids have also been associated with cupids, the diaper-clad chubby babies who are sometimes shown with a trumpet and arrow to symbolize romantic love.

Some attribute this modern-day image to cupid-like Greek and Roman deities. On the other hand, the Biblical image is frequently attributed to cultural exchanges with ancient Babylonia, Egypt, and Syria, which explains their mixed appearance. 


Seraphim
According to the Christian angel hierarchy, seraphim hold the highest rank. In art, the four-winged cherubim are painted in blue to symbolize the sky, while the six-winged seraphim are painted in red to symbolize fire.

The Hebrew term “Saraph” means “venomous desert snake” and “Seraph” means “to burn.” These terms are the two main historical influences on Seraphim’s name.

The Bible describes seraphim as having six wings, four of which are used to cover their heads and feet in front of God as a symbol of humility, and the remaining two are used to fly.

They are second in ranking in the angel hierarchy, with their sheer presence emitting holiness. And unlike the ophanim and cherubim, seraphim are not guard-angels. 


Seraphim
Seraphim are described by prophet Isaiah as angelic beings that continually worship God by surrounding God’s throne and singing “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory” in unison when God approaches.



While they’re the epitome of helpfulness and forgiveness, their appearance instills fear in the prophet.

Several historians suggest that the description of the Seraphim’s wings and flames may have been based on the connection with Egyptian imagery and description of the cobra.

Ophanim
“Their entire bodies, including their backs, hands, and wings, were full of eyes all around, as were their four wheels.” (Ezekiel 10:12)



Ophanim, or “the wheels,” are one of the strangest, most bizarre beings referenced in Ezekiel’s vision. They’re portrayed as beings made of interlocking gold wheels, with every wheel adorned with numerous sets of eyes on the exterior.

These wheels, however, do not change directions as the creatures move by floating in the skies. 


Ophanim
The second book of Enoch refers to ophanim as “many-eyed ones.” They are sometimes also described as spheres or whirlwinds. They’re also classified as “thrones.”



There’s an interesting theory that the ophanim are the wheels attached to God’s chariot. Others, like former NASA scientist Jose F. Blumrich, believe ophanim might have been what we would consider a UFO sighting today.

While they’re not considered angels in the Bible, the Jewish angelic hierarchy considers them responsible for guarding God’s throne and being the angels closest to God. This notion also coincides with beliefs held in different traditions.

Rewrite the article as study notes. Each section should include bullet points

Glorious humanoids with gilded armors, beautiful wings, perfect faces, and an all-righteous nature that brings warmth, comfort, and solace — that’s how we picture angels. After all, that’s how we’ve depicted the majestic creatures throughout history in every piece of art and literature.

Is this common description a portrayal of our reimagination, or does it have a striking resemblance to angels who rule heaven?

According to the Bible, it would appear that we’re in the wrong. Unlike the gentle, human-like apparitions we’re familiar with, angels look strange, terrifying even. And it would appear that there’s a good reason behind it.


Biblical Depiction of an Angel via reddit.com
Conceptualizing Angels: A Brief History
The word “angel” has a couple of origins. It is derived from the Greek word “angelos,” and the Greek word, in turn, comes from the Hebrew word “Mal’ akh,” which stands for messenger.


When we’re visualizing an angel, we’re often thinking of Malakim, who acted on God’s behalf in the Old Testament to carry out his judgment and took on the role of messengers in the New Testament.

Malakim are said to be the closest depiction of human beings. However, they are not mentioned in the Bible as beings with wings.

Indeed, the earliest known Christian image of an angel, from the mid-third century, depicted them as human-like beings without wings.

This image, however, changed in the late fourth century as artists reimagined angels with wings to represent their sublime nature, even though the scripture makes no mention of wings.


Popular Angels and Their Biblical Forms
Let’s take a look at some of the most well-known depictions of the angels we’re familiar with and how much they differ from their Biblical descriptions.

Cherubim
According to the Bible, cherubim are responsible for guarding the Garden of Eden — the Biblical terrestrial paradise — against humankind when Adam and Eve, the first humans, were driven out of the heavenly garden.

The prophet Ezekiel’s vision of cherubim is depicted in the Book of Ezekiel in which they are portrayed as having four faces — one of an eagle, one a human, one an ox, and finally a lion.

Cherubim have straight legs, four wings (one set covers their body while the other is used for flying), and bull hooves for feet.


Cherubim – Art by Art by KelbremDusk
Subscribe to the History Defined newsletter!
Get updates on the latest posts and more from History Defined straight to your inbox.

Your Email...
SUBSCRIBE

I consent to receiving emails and personalized ads.
This portrayal is nothing like what we imagine them to be. Cherubim, commonly known as cherubs, are depicted as chubby, beautiful, naked children with wings in art, as represented by Renaissance sculptors who revived the ancient practice of putti.


These depictions of Cherubim are often connected with divinity. These animal-human hybrids have also been associated with cupids, the diaper-clad chubby babies who are sometimes shown with a trumpet and arrow to symbolize romantic love.

Some attribute this modern-day image to cupid-like Greek and Roman deities. On the other hand, the Biblical image is frequently attributed to cultural exchanges with ancient Babylonia, Egypt, and Syria, which explains their mixed appearance. 


Seraphim
According to the Christian angel hierarchy, seraphim hold the highest rank. In art, the four-winged cherubim are painted in blue to symbolize the sky, while the six-winged seraphim are painted in red to symbolize fire.

The Hebrew term “Saraph” means “venomous desert snake” and “Seraph” means “to burn.” These terms are the two main historical influences on Seraphim’s name.

The Bible describes seraphim as having six wings, four of which are used to cover their heads and feet in front of God as a symbol of humility, and the remaining two are used to fly.

They are second in ranking in the angel hierarchy, with their sheer presence emitting holiness. And unlike the ophanim and cherubim, seraphim are not guard-angels. 


Seraphim
Seraphim are described by prophet Isaiah as angelic beings that continually worship God by surrounding God’s throne and singing “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory” in unison when God approaches.



While they’re the epitome of helpfulness and forgiveness, their appearance instills fear in the prophet.

Several historians suggest that the description of the Seraphim’s wings and flames may have been based on the connection with Egyptian imagery and description of the cobra.

Ophanim
“Their entire bodies, including their backs, hands, and wings, were full of eyes all around, as were their four wheels.” (Ezekiel 10:12)



Ophanim, or “the wheels,” are one of the strangest, most bizarre beings referenced in Ezekiel’s vision. They’re portrayed as beings made of interlocking gold wheels, with every wheel adorned with numerous sets of eyes on the exterior.

These wheels, however, do not change directions as the creatures move by floating in the skies. 


Ophanim
The second book of Enoch refers to ophanim as “many-eyed ones.” They are sometimes also described as spheres or whirlwinds. They’re also classified as “thrones.”



There’s an interesting theory that the ophanim are the wheels attached to God’s chariot. Others, like former NASA scientist Jose F. Blumrich, believe ophanim might have been what we would consider a UFO sighting today.

While they’re not considered angels in the Bible, the Jewish angelic hierarchy considers them responsible for guarding God’s throne and being the angels closest to God. This notion also coincides with beliefs held in different traditions.

user
 Introduction

How we picture angels:

•Gilded armor
•Beautiful wings
•Glorious humanoids
•All-righteous nature
•Comfort, warmth, and solace

Where majestic angels appear:

•Every piece of art
•Every piece of literature

Biblical angels are:
•Strange
•Terrifying
•Inhuman

Origins of the word “angel”:
•Derived from the Greek “Angelos”
•Greek word is derived from the Hebrew “Mal’ akh”
•“Mal’ akh” means “messenger”

Types of Angels

Malakim
•Appeared in Old Testament to carry out God’s judgment
•Appeared as messengers in the New Testament
•Closest to human beings
•Are never mentioned as having wings in the Bible
•Third-century Christian image of an angel is the earliest known image
•This image depicts angels as wingless humans
•Images of wings were imagined by artists during the late 4th century

Cherubim 
•Guarded the Garden of Eden against humans after Adam and Eve were removed
•Depicted in Ezekiel
•Have four faces
•Faces are an ox, a lion, a human, and an eagle
•Have straight legs
•Have four wings
•One set of wings covers the body
•One is for flying
•Have bull hooves instead of feet
•Depictions in art as naked, chubby, beautiful winged children
•This comes from Renaissance sculptors practicing putti
•Cherubs in the art are associated with cupids
•Modern image is similar to Greco-Roman deities
•Biblical image attributed to ancient Egypt, Syria, and Babylon
•Painted blue to symbolize the sky in art

Seraphim
•Highest-ranking angel in the Christian hierarchy
•In art, painted red to symbolize fire
•Six wings
•Four wings cover feet and heads in humility when appearing before God
•Two wings are used for flight
•Influenced by the Hebrew “Saraph” meaning “venomous desert snake”
•Influenced by the Hebrew “Seraph” meaning “to burn”
•Their presence emits holiness
•They are not guard angels
•Described by Isaiah as continually worshiping God
•They surround God’s throne and sing his glory in unison when God is near
•Helpful
•Forgiving
•Instilled fear in the Prophet Isaiah
•Some historians suggest a connection to Egyptian cobra imagery in the Seraphim’s flames and wings

Ophanim
•Described as four wheels made of eyes all around in Ezekiel
•Described as “many-eyed ones” in Enoch
•Made of interlocking gold wheels
•Each wheel has many sets of eyes on its exterior
•Float in the sky
•Wheels do not change direction as they move
•Sometimes described as whirlwinds
•Sometimes described as spheres
•Classified as Thrones
•Some theorize they are the wheels of God’s chariot
•NASA scientist Jose F. Blumrich believes they would be considered a UFO sighting today
•Not considered angels in the Bible
•Are considered angels in the Jewish hierarchy
•Jewish hierarchy sees them as guardians of God’s throne
•In Judaism, these angels are closest to God
•This is supported by some other faiths and tradition
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