What is "seraph"

Seraph \Ser"aph\, n.; pl. E. Seraphs, Heb. Seraphim. [Heb. ser[=a]phim, pl.] One of an order of celestial beings, each having three pairs of wings. In ecclesiastical art and in poetry, a seraph is represented as one of a class of angels.
--Is

1. vi. 2.

   As full, as perfect, in vile man that mourns, As the rapt seraph that adores and burns.
   --Pope.

   Seraph moth (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of geometrid moths of the genus Lobophora, having the hind wings deeply bilobed, so that they seem to have six wings.

1667, first used by Milton (probably on analogy of cherub/cherubim), back-formed singular from Old English seraphim (plural), from Late Latin seraphim, from Greek seraphim, from Hebrew seraphim (only in Isa. vi), plural of *saraph (which does not occur in the Bible), probably literally "the burning one," from saraph "it burned." Seraphs were traditionally regarded as burning or flaming angels, though the word seems to have some etymological sense of "flying," perhaps from confusion with the root of Arabic sharafa "be lofty." Some scholars identify it with a word found in other passages interpreted as "fiery flying serpent."

n. (context biblical English) A six-winged angel; the highest choir or order of angels in Christian angelology, ranked above cherubim, and below God. A detailed description can be found at the beginning of

1. n. an angel of the first order; usually portrayed as the winged head of a child

2. [also: seraphim (pl)]

A seraph (, "the burning one"; pl. seraphs or seraphim , in the King James Version also seraphims (plural); Hebrew: שָׂרָף śārāf, plural שְׂרָפִים śərāfîm; Latin: seraphim and seraphin (plural), also seraphus (-i, m.); serapheím) is a type of celestial or heavenly being in Christianity and Judaism. The singular "seraph" is a back-formation from the plural "seraphim", whereas in Hebrew the singular is "saraph".

Tradition places seraphim in the highest rank in the Christian angelic hierarchy and in the fifth rank of ten in the Jewish angelic hierarchy. A seminal passage in the Book of Isaiah used the term to describe six-winged beings that fly around the Throne of God crying "holy, holy, holy". This throne scene, with its triple invocation of holiness (a formula that came to be known as the Trisagion), profoundly influenced subsequent theology, literature and art. Its influence is frequently seen in works depicting angels, heaven and apotheosis. Seraphim are mentioned as celestial beings in an influential Hellenistic work, the Book of Enoch, and the Book of Revelation.

Seraph is the name of a fictional character in the films The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. He is described as the personification of a sophisticated challenge-handshake authentication protocol which guards the Oracle. He is portrayed by Collin Chou. As a challenge handshake authentication protocol, Seraph is effectively a login screen that fights the user to authenticate their identity.

The role was initially offered to Michelle Yeoh, but she declined due to a scheduling conflict. The character was changed to a male, with Jet Li being offered a role. As Li declined the role, Chou signed on.

A seraph is a celestial being in Jewish and Christian mythology.

Seraph or its plural seraphim may also refer to:

Seraph is a DC Comics superhero from Israel. He first appeared in Super Friends #7 (October 1977), and was created by E. Nelson Bridwell and Ramona Fradon, art by Bob Oksner and some lettered by Milt Snapinn.

Shin Woo-yeong, better known as Seraph, is a South Korean League of Legends player who is currently the top laner for Team EnVyUs. He has also played for NaJin White Shield and Counter Logic Gaming, and Team Dragon Knights.