Living creatures (Bible)
The living creatures, living beings, or Hayyoth (Hebrew חַיּוֹת chayot, from חַיּ chai, "to live") are a class of heavenly beings described in Ezekiel's vision of the heavenly chariot in the first and tenth chapters of the Book of Ezekiel. References to the creatures recur in texts of Second Temple Judaism, in rabbinical merkabah ("chariot") literature, and in the Book of Revelation.
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Ezekiel's four living creatures
Ezekiel's vision of the four living creatures in Ezekiel chapter 1 are identified as cherubim in chapter 10[1] who are God's throne bearers.[2] The concept of cherubim has been known all over the Ancient East as minor guardian deities[3] of temple or palace thresholds. Each of Ezekiel's cherubim have four faces, that of a man, a lion, an ox and an eagle.[2] However, their human shape appearances set them apart from the Griffin-like cherubs of Babylonia and Assyria. In their ability to move, Ezekiel's cherubim do not need to turn, as they front all directional points of the compass.[1] This description of movement differs from the Seraphim in Isaiah's vision (Isaiah 6:2) who have an extra set of wings for their ability to fly.[4]
Revelation's four living beings
In Revelation 4:6–8, four living beings (Greek: τέσσαρα ζῷα, tessera zō[i]a) are seen in John's vision. These appear as a lion, an ox, a man, and an eagle, much as in Ezekiel but in a different order. They have six wings, whereas Ezekiel's four living creatures are described as only having four. In verse 6, they are said to have "eyes all over, front and back" which suggests that they are alert and knowledgeable, that nothing escapes their notice. The description parallels the wheels that are beside the living creatures in Ezek 1.18; 10.12, that are said to be "full of eyes all around". The Hebrew word for "wheel" (ôpannîm) was also used in later Jewish literature to indicate a member of the angelic orders (1 Enoch 71.7; 3 Enoch 1.8; 7.1; 25.5-6, etc.). The term "eyes" can also be used as a metaphor for "stars".[citation needed]
Comparing the living creatures in Ezekiel with Revelation's is a prominent apocalyptic study in Western Christianity.[5] An example, is the 18th Century works of Jonathan Edwards' recorded interpretation of 1722/23.[6] The four living creatures that John of Patmos sees in the Book of Revelation, is the author's reworking of the living creatures in the visions of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1:5-28)[7] and Isaiah (Isaiah 6:2).[8] William D. Mounce noted a belief that the living creatures may have been associated with the four principal signs of the zodiac.[7]
In a critical analysis of John's vision, April De Conick's 2006 essay outlines that the hayyot in Ezekiel are perhaps not original with the author of Revelation. De Conick suggests that John may have drawn from other merkabah-related texts and by subtly working with images already known to his audience, he reshaped them for his own purposes.[9] With John blending and transforming the images of his sources, it has given way to different interpretations.[7]
Religious views
In Judaism, the living beings are considered angels of fire, who hold up the throne of God and the earth itself.[10] They are ranked first in Maimonides' Jewish angelic hierarchy.
In Christianity, the four living creatures are Cherubim.[3] A prominent early interpretation has been to equate the four creatures as a tetramorph of the Four Evangelists where the lion represents Mark the Evangelist, the calf is Luke the Evangelist, the man is Matthew the Apostle, and the eagle symbolizes John the Evangelist. This interpretation originated with Irenaeus and was adopted by Victorinus.[11] Its influence has been on art and sculpture[8] and is still prevalent in Catholicism[12] and Anglicanism.[13]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Eichrodt 2003, p. 55
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- ↑ Eichrodt 2003, p. 57
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