Ofan

Ofan (plural Ofannim) is the English transliteration of a Hebrew term for the section in the morning prayer which describes "the praise of the Lord by the heavenly host". The passage starts off with "The ofannim [wheels] and the holy living creatures with great uproar raise themselves up; facing the Seraphim they say, 'Praised be the glory of the Lord from his place.'" The inspiration behind this particular passage is Ezekiel's vision (ch. i.). Expatiates, on the theme of the heavenly host praising the Lord, were inserted into the passage by piyyuṭ.^[1]

References

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Singer, Isidore; et al., eds. (1901–1906). "OFAN (OFANNIM)". Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.