What are seraphim? Are seraphs angels?

Symbolical celestial beings seen by Isaiah standing above the Lord on His throne (Adonai, but many MSS read Jehovah). Each had three sets of wings: with one pair he covered his face, in token of reverence; with another he covered his feet, in token of humility; and with the third he flew to accomplish his mission.

Gesenius and Fürst give to the word saraph the meanings 'to burn,' and 'to be exalted.' They trace the seraphim to the latter signification, as 'exalted ones.' The word occurs only in Num. 21:6; Deut. 8:15, translated 'fiery;' and in Num. 21:8; Isa. 14:29; Isa. 30:6, translated 'fiery serpent.' In Isa. 6:2-7 (the plural) the seraphim are exalted beings, but the only actions recorded there are that one brought a live coal from off the altar and laid it upon the prophet's mouth, and said, "Thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged." They cried to one another, "Holy, holy, holy is Jehovah of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory."

The distinction between seraphim and cherubim may be that, while the former bear witness to God's holiness (that is, to His nature), in the latter are exhibited the principles of His righteous government on the earth. The 'living creatures' of Rev. 4 combine the characteristics of both cherubim and seraphim.

Seraphim are never used that I know of but in Isaiah 6, unless the serpents in the desert, or perhaps the general use of saraph. I do not exactly know the moral import of the expression. I suppose they are symbolical beings, expressive of the consuming power of God's holiness as the cherubim of judicial power, at least in their relation to others. I could not say that there were specific beings called seraphim anywhere. There may be those who are near to God specially in this character.

In our earlier meditations we observed that the cherubim speak of God's power in government, and they may be called the executors of divine righteousness. The seraphim stand rather in relation to God's nature, and may be called the guardians of His holiness. The word seraphim only occurs here in Scripture but it is a cognate word. Seraph is of frequent occurrence and it means "to burn." Our God is a consuming fire and we find seraph for example in connection with the sin and trespass offerings which were "wholly consumed" on the altar, whereas the burnt offerings and peace offerings "ascended to God as a sweet smelling savour." It is therefore easy to understand what an awe-inspiring experience it was for Isaiah when he saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filling the temple. It is at this point we read, "Above it stood the seraphims," and details are given. "Holy, holy, holy," is their cry, "the whole earth is full of His glory," and, "the house was filled with smoke," a reminder perhaps of Revelation 15:8 when the temple, in vision, was filled with the smoke of judgment and "no man was able to enter into the temple." Again we say, a solemn sight indeed, and its effect upon Isaiah was profound. The words of another seem best to describe his experience: "The hidden chambers of his heart were flung open, its secret springs of action were revealed, and the deep foundations of his character were laid bare." Well might he say, "Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts."

Cherubim and Seraphim have ever been associated in people’s mind with the angels. Allusions to them in the Scriptures are few and mysterious.

Seraphim

Isaiah 6 is the only Scripture introducing us to the seraphim, with their six wings, two to cover their faces before the glory of the Lord, two to cover their feet, and two wherewith to fly. Their cry was “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory.” In response to the prophet’s cry of distress on account of his uncleanness they fly to the altar, taking therefrom a live coal, applying it to his lips and thus cleansing him. They do not seem to be so strictly connected with the carrying out of judgment as the cherubim.

The Seraphim are the witnesses of the holiness of God, whereas the Cherubim speak of His righteous claims. Both have been met in the work of Christ, and God is free to move in sovereign mercy. The first time the Cherubim are mentioned is in the Garden of Eden, and as far as I know they are not seen again until the setting up of the Tabernacle. The Seraphim are mentioned here only. In Revelation 4 both Cherubic and Seraphic features appear to be combined in the Living Creatures.

The care of the cherubim is for the public, governmental glory of God (Ezek. 10). The care of the seraphim is for the holiness of God; these latter are named but once in Scripture ‎(Isa. 6). The living creatures of the Apocalypse are‎ a combination of both cherubim and seraphim.‎

"Seraph" means a burner. It is the word for burn, and the only other thing called a seraph, is the fiery serpent. The point is, that they cry, "Holy, holy, holy"; in the Revelation, they have eyes within and eyes without. He takes a coal, because directly a person is upright in grace, it purifies. When Isaiah said, "I am a man of unclean lips," etc., then the seraph flew and laid the coal upon his mouth, and his iniquity was taken away. In Isaiah 6, we find the final thing, as well as judicial government; there is the actual closing of the relationship, but a remnant reserved.

The cherubim are connected with a judicial throne and judicial power, and so always judicial. I speak of it practically so - what judges a thing right as well as what judges a thing wrong. The cherub is always God's judicial authority and power. There were cherubim on the veil in Exodus 26, as over the ark and elsewhere. On the veil it is the symbol of judicial power, so in Ezekiel when he sees them. So it is on the tabernacle: only on the mercy-seat it is judgment for us. It is not merely a throne judging what is wrong, though this is true, but a judgment on my behalf, according to what the blood of atonement is. Law takes up man on responsibility; and this is met for me by Another at the mercy-seat. The difference between them and seraphim appears to be that cherubim are judgment, according to the responsibility of man - judgment from God, of course; and the seraphim have to do more immediately with God's nature. The only place they are expressly mentioned is in Isaiah 6; and there they cry, "Holy, holy, holy, is Jehovah of hosts." The only other being that is called a seraph is the fiery serpent in the wilderness. See [Num. 21:6, 8; Deut. 8:15].

Cherubim are thus indicative of the government of God upon earth; seraphim, of His nature.

We find them both in Revelation 4, where the living creatures are of cherubic character, but crying, "Holy, holy, holy." Seraphim, means, "burners."