Ophanim in the Bible: The Angelic Wheels of God Explained

What is the Ophanim Angel in the Bible? The word ‘Ophanim’ refers to ‘the wheels’ seen in Ezekiel’s vision of the chariot in Ezekiel 1:15–21—from the bible. According to Ezekiel’s narrative in the Bible, they are creatures created of interlocking gold wheels, with the exterior of each wheel covered with many eyes. They move by floating across the sky. The bible does not regard the Ophanim as an angel. However, in the Jewish angelic hierarchy, they are entrusted with defending God’s throne as the highest in Maimonides’ order and are the closest of angels to God. Angels with Strange or Unusual Appearance When we think of angels, it’s easy to imagine them as winged beings that are glorious and pure. From gilded armours to perfect faces, the concept of the angel has transcended through generations and has gone on to become the inspiration for art and literature, where the angel is featured as an immaculate human with wings and a pinnacle of all that is righteous.