saraph

Saraph is a transliteration variant of seraph, a term used in Jewish and Christian angelology to refer to a class of celestial beings. In religious literature, seraphim are depicted as fiery, winged entities that serve around the throne of God and participate in spiritual purification. The portrayal most often cited comes from the Hebrew Bible, where a seraphic figure touches the prophet Isaiah’s lips with a hot coal to cleanse him and declares him fit for prophetic service.

Etymology and linguistic notes point to the Hebrew root saraf or saraph, meaning to burn or to be fiery. The form seraph emerged in later translations and theological writings as the standard English name for this category of beings. The singular saraph appears in some historical or transliteration-focused discussions, though seraph is the more common modern usage in religious contexts.

Beyond theological usage, Saraph can appear as a personal name or a place name, reflecting transliteration choices rather than a single canonical meaning. In various languages and historical periods, different spellings—such as seraph, seraphim (plural), or saraph—may be encountered in religious texts, scholarly works, and modern naming practices. Because of these variants, the term can carry different connotations depending on cultural and textual context.

In summary, saraph primarily denotes a transliteration-related form of seraph, tied to a biblical category of fiery celestial beings. Its meaning and associations are shaped by theological tradition, linguistic history, and contemporary usage, which may vary across sources and regions.