Thrones

This article is about the class of angels in the Christian tradition. For other uses, see Throne (disambiguation).

The Thrones (Ancient Greek: θρόνος, pl. θρόνοι; Latin: thronus, pl. throni) are a class of celestial beings mentioned by Paul the Apostle in Colossians 1:16. According to the New Testament, these high celestial beings are among those Orders at the Christ's service.[1][2] They are the carriers of the Throne of God, hence the name.

According to Matthew Bunson, the corresponding order of angels in Judaism is called the abalim or "arelim/erelim,[3] but this opinion is far from unrivaled. The Hebrew word erelim is usually not translated "Thrones", but rather "valiant ones", "heroes", "warriors". The function ascribed to erelim in Isaiah 33:7 and in Jewish folklore[4] is not consonant with the lore surrounding the Thrones.

The Ophanim (Wheels or Galgallin) is a class of celestial beings, from Daniel 7:9, that are also equated with the "Thrones" occasionally. They are said to be great wheels covered in eyes.

Western Wisdom Teachings

Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite includes the Thrones as the third highest of 9 levels of angels.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Colossians 1:14-20
  2. ↑ 1 Peter 3:21-22
  3. ↑ Bunson, Matthew. Angels A to Z. New York:Crown Trade Paperbacks, 1996. ISBN 0-517-88537-9.
  4. ↑ Louis Ginzberg: Legends of the Jews 5:23, n. 64; 5:417, n. 117

References

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