Living creatures (Bible)

The living creatures, living beings, or Hayyoth (Hebrew חַיּוֹת chayot, from חַיּ chai, "live") are a class of heavenly beings described in Ezekiel's vision of the heavenly chariot in the first and tenth chapters of the Book of Ezekiel. References to the creatures recur in texts of Second Temple Judaism, in rabbinical merkabah ("chariot") literature, and in the Book of Daniel, and also in the Book of Revelation.

Ezekiel's vision of the four living creatures in Ezekiel chapter 1 are identified as cherubim in chapter 10 who are God's throne bearers. Cherubim as minor guardian deities of temple or palace thresholds are known all over the Ancient East. Each of Ezekiel's cherubim have four faces, that of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle. However, their human shape appearances set them apart from the griffin-like cherubs of Babylonia and Assyria. In their ability to move, Ezekiel's cherubim do not need to turn, as they front all directional points of the compass. This description of movement differs from the seraphim in Isaiah's vision (Isaiah 6:2) who have an extra set of wings for their ability to fly.

In Daniel, four living creatures surround the white throne upon which the Ancient of Days sits Daniel 7:7-13. This white throne is also referenced in the final judgement in Revelation 20:11-15. The four beasts differ from the four beasts in Ezekiel chapter 1 and Revelation 4:6–8 in that there are a lion, a calf, an eagle and a man faced creature. The beasts have four wings, just as the beasts in Ezekiel have four wings, as contrasted with the beasts in Revelation which each have six wings. The first beast has its wings removed, it is stood upright, and it is given the mind of a man. The second beast, which resembles a bear, has three ribs in its mouth and is told to ‘Get up and eat your fill of flesh!’ The third beast, which resembles a leopard, is described as having four heads, like the beasts in Ezekiel and Revelation. This beast which is given authority to rule, closely matches the description of the Dragon, the "beast out of the sea" in Revelation chapter 13, which is also given authority. The final beast, is a mechanical beast with large iron teeth. It crushes and devours its victims, and tramples underfoot whatever is left. This beast most resembles the winepress spoken of in Revelation 14:18-20.

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