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Be Not Afraid

Short answer: The Book of Ezekiel in the Hebrew Bible describes a vision of four living creatures, later identified as cherubim. Each has four faces, of a man, a lion, an ox and an eagle, and four wings.

Beside each is a wheel 'within a wheel' whose rims are full of eyes, and the wheels move with the creatures. In Christian and Jewish tradition these wheels became associated with the ophanim. The phrase 'Be not afraid', often said by angels in the Bible, is popular in modern 'biblically accurate angel' memes based on these descriptions. The footage shows digital renderings of eye-covered rings and winged figures, with the presenter.

VideoWrite-up3 sources
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What should you know about Be Not Afraid?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. The vision is in the Book of Ezekiel.

    DD-261-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Ezekiel)

  2. Each cherub has four faces.

    DD-261-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Four faces)

Video transcript: Be Not Afraid: In the Book of Ezekiel, Each Cherub Has Four Faces

DID YOU KNOW? in Ezekiel's visions, angels, specifically cherubim, are described with striking and complex appearances. Each cherubim has four faces, those of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle, symbolizing intelligence, strength, service, and swiftness. They can also possess four or more wings, and are accompanied by intersecting wheels, covered in eyes, enabling omnidirectional movement, and representing their all-seeing nature. These wheels, described as a wheel within a wheel, are intimately connected to the cherubim, moving in perfect harmony. This imagery highlights the multifaceted and awe-inspiring nature of these angelic beings. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 33.8s Reel ·

Video coming soonBe Not Afraid · Instagram Reel
Be Not Afraid: In the Book of Ezekiel, Each Cherub Has Four Faces Instagram Reel · · 33.8s

The write-up

In the Book of Ezekiel, each cherub has four faces. Beside them turn wheels within wheels, their rims full of eyes.

  1. Exhibit A

    Ezekiel

    The vision is in the Book of Ezekiel.

  2. Exhibit B

    Four faces

    Each cherub has four faces.

  3. Exhibit C

    Four wings

    Each has four wings.

  4. Exhibit D

    Wheels

    Wheels within wheels are full of eyes.

  5. Exhibit E

    Ophanim

    The wheels became associated with the ophanim.

Questions people ask about Be Not Afraid

Which book describes this vision?

Hebrew Bible.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Ezekiel) · Wikipedia: Book of Ezekiel

How many faces does each cherub have?

Man, lion, ox, eagle.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Four faces) · Wikipedia: Cherub

What is beside each creature?

Full of eyes.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Four wings) · Wikipedia: Cherub

What are the wheels associated with?

In later tradition.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Wheels) · Wikipedia: Ophanim

What phrase do angels often say?

Popular in memes.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Ophanim) · Wikipedia: Ophanim

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. Which book describes this vision?

    1. Ezekiel
    2. Genesis
    3. Psalms
    4. Ruth
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Ezekiel Hebrew Bible. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Ezekiel) · Wikipedia: Book of Ezekiel

  2. How many faces does each cherub have?

    1. Four
    2. Two
    3. Six
    4. One
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Four Man, lion, ox, eagle. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Four faces) · Wikipedia: Cherub

  3. What is beside each creature?

    1. A wheel within a wheel
    2. A throne
    3. A tower
    4. A river
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. A wheel within a wheel Full of eyes. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Four wings) · Wikipedia: Cherub

  4. What are the wheels associated with?

    1. The ophanim
    2. The seraphim
    3. The muses
    4. The fates
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. The ophanim In later tradition. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Wheels) · Wikipedia: Ophanim

  5. What phrase do angels often say?

    1. Be not afraid
    2. Hello there
    3. Follow me
    4. Farewell
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Be not afraid Popular in memes. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Ophanim) · Wikipedia: Ophanim

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Be Not Afraid." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-261, last updated Jun 30, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/be-not-afraid/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/be-not-afraid/ · Last updated

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