Bible Commentary


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1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.

2 In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity,

3 The word of the LORD came expressly to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there on him.

4 And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire enfolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the middle thereof as the color of amber, out of the middle of the fire.

5 Also out of the middle thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.

6 And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.

7 And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they sparkled like the color of burnished brass.

8 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings.

9 Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.

10 As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.

11 Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.

12 And they went every one straight forward: where the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went.

13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.

14 And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.

15 Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel on the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces.

16 The appearance of the wheels and their work was like to the color of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel.

17 When they went, they went on their four sides: and they turned not when they went.

18 As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four.

19 And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up.

20 Wherever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.

21 When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.

22 And the likeness of the firmament on the heads of the living creature was as the color of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.

23 And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other: every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies.

24 And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings.

25 And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings.

26 And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and on the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above on it.

27 And I saw as the color of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.

28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of one that spoke.


in the thirtieth: Num 4:3, Luk 3:23

as I: Ecc 9:1, Ecc 9:2, Jer 24:5-7

captives: Heb. captivity

by the river: Eze 1:3, Eze 3:15, Eze 3:23, Eze 10:15, Eze 10:20, Eze 10:22, Eze 43:3

Chebar: Chebar, called now Khabour, is a river of Mesopotamia, which taking its rise in the Mysian mountains, falls into the Euphrates near Carchemish, or Circesioum, now Karkisia, about 35 degrees 20 minutes n lat. and 40 degrees 25 minutes e long.

the heavens: Mat 3:16, Luk 3:21, Joh 1:51, Act 7:56, Act 10:11, Rev 4:1, Rev 19:11

I saw: Eze 8:3, Eze 11:24, Gen 15:1, Gen 46:2, Num 12:6, Isa 1:1, Dan 8:1, Dan 8:2, Hos 12:10, Joe 2:28, Mat 17:9, Act 9:10-12, Act 10:3, 2Co 12:1

Reciprocal: 2Ki 24:14 - Jerusalem Ezr 8:15 - the river that runneth Psa 137:1 - the rivers Isa 6:1 - I saw also Jer 29:15 - General Eze 40:2 - the visions Dan 7:1 - visions

Eze 8:1, Eze 20:1, Eze 29:1, Eze 29:17, Eze 31:1, Eze 40:1, 2Ki 24:12-15

Reciprocal: 2Ki 24:14 - Jerusalem 2Ch 36:10 - when the year was expired Isa 48:15 - General Eze 17:12 - Behold Eze 24:1 - the ninth year Eze 26:1 - General Eze 30:20 - General Eze 32:1 - in the twelfth Eze 32:17 - in the twelfth Eze 33:21 - in the twelfth

word: Jer 1:2, Jer 1:4, Hos 1:1, Joe 1:1, 1Ti 4:1

Ezekiel: Heb. Jehezkel

and the: Eze 3:14, Eze 3:22, Eze 8:1, Eze 33:22, Eze 37:1, Eze 40:1, 1Ki 18:46, 2Ki 3:15

Reciprocal: 1Ch 28:19 - by his hand upon me Jer 1:1 - of the priests Jer 29:15 - General Eze 1:1 - by the river Eze 11:24 - into Eze 43:3 - the river Dan 10:4 - as Zep 1:1 - word Luk 3:2 - the word

a whirlwind: Isa 21:1, Jer 1:13, Jer 1:14, Jer 4:6, Jer 6:1, Jer 23:19, Jer 25:9, Jer 25:32, Hab 1:8, Hab 1:9

a great: Eze 10:2-4, Exo 19:16-18, Exo 24:16, Exo 24:17, Deu 4:11, Deu 4:12, 2Ch 5:13, 2Ch 5:14, 2Ch 6:1, 2Ch 7:1-3, Psa 18:11-13, Psa 50:3, Psa 97:2, Psa 97:3, Psa 104:3, Psa 104:4, Isa 19:1, Nah 1:3-6, Hab 3:3-5, Heb 12:29

infolding itself: Heb. catching itself

colour: Eze 1:27, Eze 8:2, Eze 10:8, Eze 10:9, Rev 1:15

Reciprocal: 1Ki 19:11 - and a great 1Ki 22:17 - I saw 2Ki 2:11 - General Job 38:1 - General Isa 6:2 - seraphims Eze 3:23 - the glory Eze 43:3 - according to the appearance Zec 6:6 - the north Mat 28:3 - countenance Rev 4:6 - the midst Rev 14:1 - I looked

the likeness: Rev 4:6, Rev 6:6,*Gr.

Reciprocal: Exo 36:8 - cherubims Psa 18:10 - rode Eze 10:15 - This Zec 1:10 - These Zec 6:5 - These

And every one had four faces: These living creatures were probably hieroglyphical representations of the holy angels, the attendants on "the King of Glory," and the ministers of his providence. They were four, apparently to denote that they were employed in the four corners of the world; and they had the likeness of a man, to signify that they were intelligent and rational creatures. Eze 1:10, Eze 1:15, Eze 10:10, Eze 10:14, Eze 10:21, Eze 10:22, Rev 4:7, Rev 4:8

every one had four wings: Eze 1:8-11, Exo 25:20, 1Ki 6:24-27, Isa 6:2

straight feet: Heb. a straight foot

like the sole: Lev 11:3, Lev 11:47

the colour: Eze 1:13, Psa 104:4, Dan 10:6, Rev 1:15

Reciprocal: Eze 40:3 - whose

Eze 8:3, Eze 10:2, Eze 10:7, Eze 10:8, Eze 10:18, Eze 10:21, Isa 6:6

Reciprocal: Eze 1:6 - every one had four wings Rev 4:7 - a flying

joined: Eze 1:11, 2Ch 3:11, 2Ch 3:12, 1Co 1:10

they turned: Eze 1:12, Eze 10:11, Eze 10:22, Pro 4:25-27, Luk 9:51, Luk 9:62

Reciprocal: Isa 6:2 - wings Eze 1:17 - and

for the: Eze 10:14, Rev 4:7

the face of a man: Num 2:10, Isa 46:8, Luk 15:10, 1Co 14:20

the face of a lion: Num 2:3, Jdg 14:18, 1Ch 12:8, Rev 5:5

the face of an ox: Eze 10:14, Cherub, Num 2:18, Pro 14:4, 1Co 9:9, 1Co 9:10

the face of an eagle: Num 2:25, Deu 28:49, Job 39:27, Isa 40:31, Dan 7:4

Reciprocal: Exo 36:8 - cherubims 1Ki 7:25 - General 1Ki 7:29 - lions 2Ch 4:3 - And under Eze 1:6 - And every one had four faces Eze 10:22 - the likeness Eze 41:18 - and every

and their: Eze 10:16, Eze 10:19

stretched upward: or, divided above

and two: Eze 1:23, Isa 6:2

Reciprocal: Neh 7:7 - Zerubbabel Eze 1:9 - joined Dan 9:21 - to fly

they went every: Eze 1:9, Eze 1:17, Eze 10:22

whither: Eze 1:20, Eze 1:21, Heb 1:14

Reciprocal: Eze 1:23 - their wings Eze 10:17 - for Eze 46:9 - he that entereth in

Eze 1:7, Gen 15:17, Psa 104:4, Dan 10:5, Dan 10:6, Mat 28:3, Rev 4:5, Rev 10:1, Rev 18:1

Reciprocal: 2Ki 6:17 - full of horses Psa 80:1 - dwellest Eze 10:2 - coals Eze 10:7 - unto the Eze 10:15 - This Dan 7:9 - and his wheels Heb 1:7 - Who

Psa 147:15, Dan 9:21, Zec 2:3, Zec 2:4, Zec 4:10, Mat 24:27, Mat 24:31, Mar 13:27

Reciprocal: Eze 10:15 - This Dan 10:6 - his face Heb 1:7 - Who Rev 14:6 - another

one: Eze 1:19-21, Eze 10:9, Eze 10:13-17, Dan 7:9

with: Eze 1:6, Rev 4:7

Reciprocal: 1Ki 7:30 - wheels 1Ch 28:18 - the chariot Psa 68:17 - chariots Eze 10:2 - Go

the colour: Eze 10:9, Exo 39:13, Dan 10:6

a wheel: Eze 10:10, Job 9:10, Psa 36:6, Psa 40:5, Rom 11:33, Eph 3:10

Reciprocal: Exo 28:20 - a beryl 1Ki 7:33 - General

and: Eze 1:9, Eze 1:12, Eze 10:1 - Eze 11:25, Isa 55:11

Reciprocal: Eze 10:11 - they went upon Eze 10:19 - the cherubims Eze 46:9 - he that entereth in

they were so: Job 37:22-24, Psa 77:16-19, Psa 97:2-5, Isa 55:9

rings: or, stakes

full: Eze 10:12, Pro 15:3, Zec 4:10, Rev 4:6, Rev 4:8

Reciprocal: 1Ki 7:33 - General Psa 66:5 - terrible

Eze 10:16, Psa 103:20

Reciprocal: Eze 1:15 - one Eze 1:21 - When those went Eze 11:22 - General

the spirit: Eze 1:12, 1Co 14:32

for the: Eze 10:17, Zec 6:1-8

of the living creature: or, of life

Reciprocal: Exo 25:20 - toward Eze 1:21 - When those went Eze 10:11 - whither Eze 11:22 - General

When those went: Eze 1:19, Eze 1:20, Eze 10:17

of the living creature: or, of life, Rom 8:2

Reciprocal: Eze 1:12 - whither

the likeness: Eze 1:26, Eze 10:1, Exo 24:10, Job 37:22, Rev 4:3, Rev 4:6, Rev 21:11

crystal: The Hebrew kerach which generally denotes ice, doubtless here signifies crystal (κρυσταλλος, from κρυος, cold, ice, and στελλομαι, to concrete), as it is rendered by the LXX and Vulgate. It is a very large class of silicious minerals, hard, pellucid, naturally colourless, of regularly angular figures, and of simple plates; not flexible, nor elastic, but giving fire with steel; not fermenting by acid menstrua, but calcinable in a strong fire. There are three orders of pure crystal. The first is perfect columnar crystals, with double pyramids, of eighteen planes, in an hexangular pyramid at each end; the second is that of perfect crystals, without a column, of twelve or sixteen planes, in two hexangular pyramids; and the third is that of imperfect crystals, with single pyramids, of ten or twelve planes, in an hexangular or pentangular column. Terrible crystal seems to denote that which was well cut and polished, vividly refracting the rays of light.

Reciprocal: Job 28:17 - crystal Psa 150:1 - in the firmament Eze 10:20 - the living

their wings: Eze 1:12, Eze 1:24

which: Eze 1:11, Job 4:18, Psa 89:7, Luk 17:10

like: Eze 43:2, Rev 1:15, Rev 19:6

as the voice: Eze 10:5, Job 37:2, Job 37:4, Job 37:5, Psa 18:13, Psa 29:3-9, Psa 68:33

as the noise: Dan 10:6, 2Ki 7:6

Reciprocal: Isa 6:2 - wings Isa 6:4 - posts Isa 6:8 - I heard Eze 1:23 - their wings Eze 1:25 - and had Eze 3:13 - the noise

and had: Eze 1:24

Reciprocal: Isa 6:1 - I saw also

And above: Abp. Newcome judiciously observes, "We need not allegorize the circumstances of this august vision too minutely. Many of them augment the splendour of the scene, while others, no doubt, have much significance; which should be pointed out rather by a correct judgment, than a luxuriant imagination." Eze 1:22, Eze 10:1

over: Mat 28:18, Eph 1:21, Eph 1:22, Php 2:9, Php 2:10, 1Pe 3:22

the likeness of a: Psa 45:6, Isa 6:1, Dan 7:9, Dan 7:10, Dan 7:14, Zec 6:13, Mat 25:13, Heb 1:8, Heb 8:1, Heb 12:2, Rev 4:2, Rev 4:3, Rev 5:13, Rev 20:11

as the: Exo 24:10, Isa 54:11

the appearance of a man: Gen 32:24-30, Jos 5:13-15, Jos 6:1, Jos 6:2, Isa 9:6, Isa 9:7, Jer 23:5, Jer 23:6, Dan 10:18, Rev 1:13, Rev 3:21, Rev 14:14

Reciprocal: Exo 28:18 - sapphire Jdg 13:20 - fell on 1Ki 22:19 - I saw the Lord Son 5:14 - his belly Jer 3:17 - the throne Jer 17:12 - General Eze 8:2 - I beheld Eze 8:4 - General Eze 10:19 - and the glory Eze 43:7 - the place of my throne Dan 7:13 - one like Dan 8:15 - as Dan 10:16 - like Joh 1:18 - he hath Act 7:55 - and saw Col 1:15 - the image Rev 21:11 - her

as the colour: Eze 1:4, Eze 8:2

the appearance of fire: Deu 4:24, Psa 50:3, Psa 97:2, 2Th 1:8, Heb 12:29, Rev 1:14-16

Reciprocal: Exo 24:10 - of a sapphire stone Exo 24:17 - like devouring fire Eze 40:3 - whose

at the appearance of the bow: Gen 9:13-16, Isa 54:8-10, Rev 4:3, Rev 10:1

This: Eze 8:4, Eze 10:19, Eze 10:20, Eze 43:3, Exo 16:7, Exo 16:10, Exo 24:16, Exo 33:18-23, Num 12:6-8, 1Ki 8:10, 1Ki 8:11, 1Co 13:12

I fell: Eze 3:23, Gen 17:3, Lev 9:24, Dan 8:17, Dan 10:7-9, Dan 10:16, Dan 10:17, Mat 17:5, Mat 17:6, Act 9:4, Rev 1:17, Rev 1:18

Reciprocal: Gen 17:17 - fell Exo 24:10 - saw Num 24:4 - falling Jdg 13:20 - fell on Eze 2:1 - stand Eze 10:4 - the glory Eze 43:2 - the glory Eze 44:4 - and I fell Amo 9:1 - I saw Mat 26:39 - and fell Rev 4:2 - a throne