What is "ophanim"

n. An order of wheel-like angels

The ophanim or ofanim ( Heb. "wheels" אוֹפַנִּים ’ōphannīm; singular אוֹפָן ’ōphān), also called galgalim (galgallim, גַּלְגַּלִּים - "spheres", "wheels", "whirlwinds"; sing. galgal, גַּלְגַּל), refer to the wheels seen on Ezekiel's vision of the chariot (Hebrew merkabah) in . These are first construed as angels in one of the Dead Sea scrolls (4Q405), and as a class of celestial beings in late sections of the Book of Enoch (61:10, 71:7) where (with the Cherubim and Seraphim) they never sleep, but guard the throne of God.

These "wheels" have been associated with (mentioned as galgal, traditionally "the wheels of galgallin", in "fiery flame" and "burning fire") of the four, eye-covered wheels (each composed of two nested wheels), that move next to the winged Cherubim, beneath the throne of God. The four wheels move with the Cherubim because the spirit of the Cherubim is in them. These are also referred to as the "many-eyed ones" in the late Second Book of Enoch (20:1, 21:1).

For some the Ophanim are also related to or equated as the " Thrones", since the Throne of God is usually depicted as being moved by wheels, in the vision of Daniel 7:9 (Old Testament), however the Thrones, ( Gr. thronos) are a distinct form of celestial spiritual being usually portrayed as adoring elder men in Christian scripture. The cherubim carry, by moving the Ophanim, the throne of God.