What Is the Difference Between Seraphim & Cherubim?

Seraphim and cherubim are part of the nine choirs of angels in the Bible.
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While both seraphim and cherubim are supernatural beings mentioned in the Old Testament, they differ in rank, appearance and role, and they appear in different books of the Bible.

1 Seraphim

Seraphim are considered to be the most senior of angels, and they are only mentioned in chapter 6 of Isaiah. In the passage, they praise God and cleanse Isaiah from sin. They are physically described as having six wings: one pair each covering the face and the feet and the other pair used for flying.

2 Cherubim

Cherubim are named as the second-highest choir in the hierarchy of angels. They are mentioned several times in multiple books of the Bible. While they are not portrayed as helpers of God, they are thought to praise him, have intimate knowledge of him and be linked to his glory.

Based in Kansas City, Andrea Adams has been been writing for the non-profit sector since 2006. Her areas of interest include higher education, social issues and cultural phenomena. She has a Bachelor of Science in social policy from Northwestern University.

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