Living creatures (Bible)

The living creatures, living beings, or Hayyoth (Hebrew חַיּוֹת chayot, from חַיּ chai, "to 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 Revelation.

Ezekiel's four living creatures

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. The concept of cherubim has been known all over the Ancient East as minor guardian deities of temple or palace thresholds. 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.