Have you ever had a vivid dream that stayed with you for hours after waking up? Now imagine that God told you he was sending you the dream.
While our dreams of weird creatures and events may result from unfortunate bedtime snack choices, Ezekiel’s vision came directly from God. He sees the throne room of God, including a description of cherubim and ophanim. Books, movies, and television give us an imaginative if not always accurate depiction of angels, so Ezekiel’s description of creatures with four heads and wheels full of eyes can be disturbing and confusing.
So, what exactly are ophanim? I’m glad you asked.
What Does the Word Ophanim Mean?
The word ophanim is plural of ophan (also spelled ofan, owfan, and ophinnin), meaning wheels. In scripture, it is often used to refer to equipment in the temple (1 Kings 7:30), chariot wheels (Exodus 14:25, Nahum 3:2), or wheels on the threshing floor (Isaiah 28:27). In Daniel 7:9, the word galgal is used to describe a vision of the throne room of God consistent with Ezekiel’s vision.
Some believe that the wheels are a vision of the chariot of God, while others see them as angels who guard the throne of God. Either way, studying them can give insights into Ezekiel’s vision and how it still applies today.
Does the Bible State the Ophanim Are Angels?
The Bible does not specifically name the ophanim as angels. However, Jewish apocalyptic writers list them as angels because of three aspects: their eyes are attributes of a living creature, they have supernatural powers, and they exist close to the throne of God.
The Ophanim also get mentioned along with the cherubim and seraphim in the prayers of the Jewish Shabbat morning service, specifically the Kedusha section:
“The ophanim and the holy living creatures with great uproar raise themselves up; facing the seraphim they offer praise, saying, ‘Blessed be God’s glory from His place.’”
This act of worship also suggests the belief that they are angelic beings.
Finally, the Dead Sea Scrolls (4Q405) include the pseudepigrapha book of 2 Enoch 20:1-3, which lists the hierarchy of angels and references “thrones and many-eyed ones.” The phrase “many-eyed ones” fits Ezekiel’s description of ophanim. Later the Book of Enoch (71:7) lists them with other angels:
“And round about were Seraphin, Cherubic, and Ophannin: And these are they who sleep not and guard the throne of His glory.”
Whether the ophanim are angels or merely part of the chariot of God, it is clear that the cherubim and ophanim are guided by the same spirit, suggesting they work as one unit serving at the throne of God.
Christians serve a different function than angels but have their own role in the kingdom of God.
Where Do We See the Ophanim in the Bible?
Besides the scriptures related to chariot wheels, Proverbs 20:26 says, “A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.” The first part of the verse refers to separating yourself from wicked counsel. The second part alludes to a custom of turning a cartwheel over the grain in threshing which would cause it to scatter, reinforcing the idea of separation.
The main description of the ophanim is in Ezekiel, in chapter 1 and chapter 10, as well as brief mentions in chapter 3 and chapter 11. Chapter 1 begins with a vision of a whirlwind and a description of the cherubim and a wheel:
“The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the color of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel. When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went. As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four” (Ezekiel 1:16-18).
The wheel inside a wheel is probably a description of wheels at right angles to one another, allowing movement in any direction without turning. The rings of the wheels were covered in eyes. The wheel went with the living creature “for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels” (Ezekiel 1:21).
The description of the creature and the wheel is fascinating, but what does it have to do with Christians today? Both the verse in Proverbs and the vision of Ezekiel refer to a separation from the wicked. In Proverbs, the mortal king wisely separates himself from wicked counselors, courtiers, and subjects. In Ezekiel, the Immortal King of Heaven is separating Himself from the wickedness of the people by leaving the temple.
What Does Ezekiel Learn from the Vision of the Ophanim?
Ezekiel was living in troubled times, and the vision from God was disturbing, yet it also held hope. The wheels represent three characteristics of God that we can rely on even amid struggles:
- God is omnipresent, meaning He is in all places at all times. The wheel inside a wheel in the vision represents an ability to move in any direction at any time, which shows that God is present everywhere and was not restricted to Jerusalem, but rules all of history.
- God is omnipotent, meaning He is all-powerful. The description of the throne room is one of power and authority as ruler of the universe. The Israelites’ situation in Ezekiel’s time seemed bleak, but God was still in control.
- God is omniscient, meaning he knows everything. The eyes in the wheels show His ability to see everything that is going on. Nothing takes him by surprise.
Ezekiel’s vision in chapter 10 describes coals of judgment used to purge sin, which later comes to pass when the Babylonians burn Jerusalem.
The vision also shows God leaving the temple because the people had defiled it. His presence was never completely present again until Jesus Christ came in New Testament times. With the work of Christ on the cross, the Presence of God came in the form of the Holy Spirit. Once we accept Christ as Lord, the Holy Spirit takes residence with us so that the presence of God is always with us no matter what is happening around us.
Like the king in Proverbs, we should work to separate ourselves from wicked counsel. We should also rid our souls of sin through daily confession so that our bodies—temples for the Holy Spirit—can be fit places for the Holy Spirit to dwell. Then we can face the daily struggles and trials, knowing we have a High King who is in control no matter how dark things appear.
We also have hope because the King will return for His people one day. Just as God left through the ascension on the Mount of Olives, so will He return and make all things right.
Further Reading:
What Are All the Names of Angels in the Bible?
What Are Archangels in the Bible, and How Many Are There?
Are There Angels Among Us Today?
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Love Employee
Linda Lyle is a writer, teacher, knitter, and unintentional collector of cats. She has written articles for the Alabama Baptist, Open Windows, Refresh, as well as multiple novels and novellas. Her newest book, 5-Minute Prayer Plan for When Life Is Overwhelming, is set to release in October. She spins yarns on her blog The End of My Yarn at lindalyle.com.
