<P> 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 . </P> <P> 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, a cherub, 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 . </P> <P> 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, as the beasts in Ezekiel have eight 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 . </P>

What are the four living creatures in the bible