# Be Not Afraid (DD-261)

> 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.

- Department: History (also Dark Facts)
- First published: 2024-06-30
- Last updated: 2024-06-30
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/be-not-afraid/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-261-F01**: The vision is in the Book of Ezekiel. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Ezekiel))_
- **DD-261-F02**: Each cherub has four faces. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Four faces))_

## Write-up

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

1. **Ezekiel**: The vision is in the Book of Ezekiel.
2. **Four faces**: Each cherub has four faces.
3. **Four wings**: Each has four wings.
4. **Wheels**: Wheels within wheels are full of eyes.
5. **Ophanim**: The wheels became associated with the ophanim.

## Related case files

- [Hallgrímskirkja (DD-567)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/hallgrimskirkja/): I linked another religious subject

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

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

- Duration: 33.8 s · Published: 2024-06-30
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C82Svr1pp8L.mp4

### Transcript

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!

## Questions & answers

**Q: Which book describes this vision?**  
A: Hebrew Bible. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Ezekiel) · Wikipedia: Book of Ezekiel)_

**Q: How many faces does each cherub have?**  
A: Man, lion, ox, eagle. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Four faces) · Wikipedia: Cherub)_

**Q: What is beside each creature?**  
A: Full of eyes. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Four wings) · Wikipedia: Cherub)_

**Q: What are the wheels associated with?**  
A: In later tradition. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Wheels) · Wikipedia: Ophanim)_

**Q: What phrase do angels often say?**  
A: Popular in memes. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Ophanim) · Wikipedia: Ophanim)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Cherub](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherub)
- [Wikipedia: Ophanim](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophanim)
- [Wikipedia: Book of Ezekiel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Ezekiel)

## 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/