ophanimn.
/əʊˈfanɪm/, U.S. /oʊˈfænɪm/ Theology.
One of the orders of angels; spec. the ‘wheels’ or wheel-like beings described in the vision of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1:15-20).In the apocryphal book of Enoch, the ophanim are the third highest order in the hierarchy of angels, and are sometimes known instead as ‘thrones’. Cf. cherub n., seraphim n., throne n. 4.
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the world > the supernatural > deity > angel > [noun] > order of > other order of
ophanim1821
1821 R. Laurence Bk. of Enoch (1838) 83 Then the Seraphim, the Cherubim, and Ophanin surrounded it.
1848 P. J. Bailey Festus (ed. 3) 62 Not where the anteformal Seraphs beam, Nor Cherubim, with winged countenance, but Where roll the bright Ophanim.
1906 C. M. Doughty Dawn in Brit. II. vii. 169 With towers and pinnacles and high walls, whereon, Stand Cherubim, Ophanim, and bright Seraphim.
1956 L. Ginzberg Legends of Bible x. 386 When God bestowed the Torah, no bird sang, no ox lowed, the Ofannim did not fly.
2002 Grand Forks (N. Dakota) Herald (Nexis) 13 Jan. b1 Nine orders of angels are identified..: Seraphim, cherubim and ophanim (also known as thrones); Dominions, powers and authorities. Principalities, archangels and angels.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1821