The Ophanim (also called galgalim, Hebrew for "wheels" or "spheres") appear in Ezekiel’s vision of the merkabah, described as celestial wheels beneath the throne of God. They appear in various ancient texts, including the Dead Sea Scrolls (4Q405), where they are seen as angels, and the Book of Enoch, portraying them as heavenly beings alongside Cherubim and Seraphim who guard the throne of God. In Christian angelology, they are identified as one of the angelic choirs, also called Thrones. Similarly, Daniel 7:9 describes fiery, many-eyed wheels moving with winged Cherubim beneath God's throne, consistent with later references like the Second Book of Enoch.
Function
It is said that they were the actual wheels of the Lord's Heavenly Chariot (Merkabah).2 "The four wheels had rims and they had spokes, and their rims were full of eyes round about." They are also frequently referred to as "many-eyed ones".3
Ophanim in specific spiritual traditions
Ophanim in Judaism
Maimonides lists Ophanim as the second to closest of angels to God in his exposition of the Jewish angelic hierarchy.
In prayer
The kedusha section in the morning prayer (in the blessings preceding the recitation of the Shema) includes the phrase, "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." The inspiration behind this particular passage is Ezekiel's vision (ch. i.). The theme of angels praising God was inserted into the passage by paytanim (Jewish liturgical poets).4
Ophanim are mentioned in the El Adon prayer, often sung by the congregation, as part of the traditional Shabbat morning service.
In the Jewish angelic hierarchy thrones and wheels are different. This is also true in the Kabbalistic angelic hierarchy.
Thrones in the Orthodox Church
Main article: Throne (angel)
De Coelesti Hierarchia refers to the Thrones from the Old Testament description as the third Order of the first sphere, the other two superior orders being the Cherubim and Seraphim.
The name of the most glorious and exalted Thrones denotes that which is exempt from and untainted by any base and earthly thing, and the super mundane ascent up the steep. For these have no part in that which is lowest, but dwell in fullest power, immovably and perfectly established in the Most High, and receive the Divine Immanence above all passion and matter, and manifest God, being attentively open to divine participations.56
This view was also accepted by the Catholic Church and by Thomas Aquinas.78
Lord of the Flame in the Western Wisdom Teachings
The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception refers that the "Lord of the Flame", the Hierarchy of Elohim astrologically assigned to Leo, are the Thrones (from the Old Testament description, "because of the brilliant luminosity of their bodies and their great spiritual powers."); the other two superior hierarchies being also the Cherubim and Seraphim. According to this conception, the heavenly Seraphim and Cherubim as well as the Ophanim continue to aid humans in spiritual evolution; as do the heavenly Archangels and Angels.
Connection to machine elves
Several users of dimethyltryptamine (DMT) have reported encountering similar beings often referred to as "Machine Elves" leading some to speculate that Dimethyltryptamine has been involved in Abrahamic Religions in the past.9
See also
References
"The Book of Enoch: Chapter LXXI". www.sacred-texts.com. https://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/boe/boe074.htm ↩
Kaplan, Aaron (2009). Deep Analysis: Frightening Conclusion. Xlibris US. p. 176. ↩
Orlov, Andrei (2007). From Apocalypticism to Merkabah Mysticism. Brill. p. 411. ↩
Deutsch, Gotthard. "OFAN (OFANNIM)". The Jewish Encyclopedia. Retrieved December 7, 2011. http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/11666-ofan-ofannim ↩
Online, Catholic. "The Nine Choirs of Angels - Angels - Saints & Angels". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/angels/angelchoir.php ↩
"What are the categories of Angels (archangels, thrones, dominions, seraphim)?". Catholic Straight Answers. October 24, 2013. https://catholicstraightanswers.com/categories-angels-archangels-thrones-dominions-seraphim/ ↩
"The Nine Choirs of Angels – Angels – Saints & Angels". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/angels/angelchoir.php ↩
"What are the categories of Angels (archangels, thrones, dominions, seraphim)?". Catholic Straight Answers. October 24, 2013. https://catholicstraightanswers.com/categories-angels-archangels-thrones-dominions-seraphim/ ↩
Woolfe, Sam. "Israeli Scholar Benny Shannon Claims Judaism Was Influenced by DMT". Sam Woolfe. Retrieved July 1, 2013. https://www.samwoolfe.com/2013/07/is-judaism-based-on-use-of-ayahuasca.html ↩