Throne (angel)

Class of angels

Thrones from Barton Turf Rood Screen, Norfolk, U.K.

In Christian angelology, thrones (Ancient Greek: θρόνος, pl. θρόνοι; Latin: thronus, pl. throni) are a class of angels. This is based on an interpretation of Colossians 1:16.[1] According to 1 Peter 3:21–22, Christ had gone to Heaven and "angels and authorities and powers" had been made subject to him.[2]

Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite in his work De Coelesti Hierarchia includes the thrones as the third highest of nine levels of angels.[3]

According to the Second Book of Enoch, thrones are seen by Enoch in the Seventh Heaven.[4]

## Christian angelology

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According to Matthew Bunson, the corresponding order of angels in Judaism is called the abalim or erelim,[5] but this opinion is far from universal. The Hebrew word erelim is usually not translated "thrones", but rather "valiant ones", "heroes", or "warriors".[citation needed] The function ascribed to erelim in Isaiah 33:7 and in Jewish folklore[6] is not consistent with the lore surrounding the thrones.

Thrones are sometimes equated with ophanim since the throne of God is usually depicted as being moved by wheels, as in the vision of Daniel 7:9 (Old Testament). Rosemary Ellen Guiley (1996: p. 37) states that:

Ophan or "Wheel"

> The 'thrones'; also known as 'ophanim' (offanim) and 'galgallin', are creatures that function as the actual chariots of God driven by the cherubs. They are characterized by peace and submission; God rests upon them. Thrones are depicted as great wheels containing many eyes, and reside in the area of the cosmos where material form begins to take shape. They chant glorias to God and remain forever in his presence. They mete out divine justice and maintain the cosmic harmony of all universal laws.[7].

## See also

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* Ophanim
* List of angels in theology

## Notes

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1. ^ "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him".
2. ^ "Bible Gateway passage: 1 Peter 3:21–22 – King James Version". Bible Gateway.
3. ^ Dionysius the Areopagite (1899). "Works, vol. 2. – The Celestial Hierarchy". www.tertullian.org. pp. 1–66.
4. ^ Rutherford H. Platt, Jr. (1926). The Lost Books of the Bible and the Forgotten Books of Eden. Entry: The Book of the Secrets of Enoch, chapter XX.
5. ^ Bunson, Matthew. Angels A to Z. New York: Crown Trade Paperbacks, 1996. ISBN 0-517-88537-9.
6. ^ Louis Ginzberg: Legends of the Jews 5:23, n. 64; 5:417, n. 117.
7. ^ Guiley, Rosemary Ellen (1996). Encyclopedia of Angels. ISBN 0-8160-2988-1, p.37

## References

[edit]

* Bunson, Matthew. Angels A to Z. New York: Crown Trade Paperbacks, 1996. ISBN 0-517-88537-9.
* Gulley, Rosemary Ellen (1996). Encyclopedia of Angels. ISBN 0-8160-2988-1.

## External links

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Media related to Thrones (angels) at Wikimedia Commons

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Angels in Christianity

First Sphere|

* Seraphim
* Cherubim
* Ophanim or Thrones

Second Sphere|

* Dominions
* Virtues
* Powers or Authorities

Third Sphere|

* Principalities or Rulers
* Archangels
* Angels

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* e

Angels in Abrahamic religions

Angels in
Judaism|

| Individuals|

* Michael
* Gabriel
* Raphael
* Uriel
* Angel of the Lord
* Angel of the Presence
* Destroying Angel
* Azrael
* Ariel
* Arariel
* Azazel
* Camael
* Cassiel
* Dobiel
* Dumah
* Eisheth
* Hadraniel
* Haniel
* Jerahmeel
* Jophiel
* Kushiel
* Lailah
* Mastema
* Metatron
* Nuriel
* Pravuil
* Raziel
* Sachiel
* Samael
* Samyaza
* Sandalphon
* Senoy, Sansenoy and Semangelof
* Tzaphqiel
* Yahoel
* Zadkiel
* Zerachiel

|

Groups|

* Seraphim
* Chayot
* Ophanim
* Cherubim
* Hashmallim
* Ishim
* Sons of God
* Recording angels

Angels in
Christianity|

| Individuals|

* Michael
* Gabriel
* Abaddon
* Raphael
* Uriel
* Ariel
* Azazel
* Sariel
* Sandalphon
* Raguel
* Ramiel
* Selaphiel
* Barachiel
* Jegudiel
* Camael
* Guardian Angel of Portugal
* Jerahmeel
* Jophiel
* Metatron
* Samyaza
* Pravuil
* Sachiel
* Zadkiel
* Sarathiel
* Zerachiel
* Phanuel
* Aker
* Gabuthelon
* Arphugitonos
* Beburos
* Zebuleon
* Daniel
* Kerubiel
* Kokabiel
* Kushiel
* Leliel
* Muriel
* Pahaliah
* Seraphiel
* Shamsiel
* Chazaqiel

|

Groups|

* Seraphim
* Cherubim
* Ophanim/Thrones
* Dominions/Lordships
* Virtues
* Powers/Authorities
* Principalities/Rulers
* Archangels
* Watchers/Guardian angels

Angels in
Islam|

| Individuals|

* Mikha'il
* Jibra'il
* Israfil
* Azra'il
* ar-Rūḥ
* ʿAzāzīl
* Iblis
* Artiya'il
* Darda'il
* Dumah
* Kalqa'il
* Futrus
* Ḥabīb
* Harut and Marut
* Mālik
* Munkar and Nakir
* Riḍwan

|

Groups|

* Mu'qarrabun (Cherubim and Seraphim)
* Archangels
* Angels of Hell
* Hafaza (Guardian angel)
* Recording angels
* Nāzi'āt and Nāshiṭāt

Uthras (angels) in
Mandaeism|

| Individuals|

* Yushamin
* Abatur
* Ptahil
* Hibil
* Shitil
* Anush
* Sam Ziwa
* Manda d-Hayyi
* Shilmai
* Nidbai
* Adathan and Yadathan
* Yufin-Yufafin
* Urfeil and Marfeil
* Tar and Tarwan
* Bihram
* Zihrun
* Etinsib Ziwa
* Nbat
* Nsab
* Gubran
* Shihlun
* Yurba
* Yukabar
* Yukashar
* Yawar Ziwa
* Simat Hayyi
* Saureil

|

Groups|

* Niṭufta
* Gupna
* Ziwa

Related|

* Angel Moroni
* Mormonism
* Hierarchy of angels
* Heavenly host
* Seven Archangels
* Three Angels' Messages
* Watcher
* Fallen angels
* List of angels in theology
* List of angels in Ars Paulina
* Ambiguous
* Chalkydri
* Elioud
* Nephilim
* Teraphim

In culture|

* Art
* List of angels in fiction
* List of films about angels

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