1The time of Ezekiel's prophecy by the river Chebar. 4His vision of four cherubims and four wheels, 26and of the glory of God above them.
1NOW it came to pass in the 1thirtieth year, in the 2fourth 3month, in the fifth day of the month, 4as I was among 5the captives by the river of 6Chebar,athat the heavens 7were opened, and I saw 8visions of God.
1 Some count this year from the reign of Nabochodonosor the first, otherwise called Nabopolassar, the father of Nabochodonosor, or Nebuchadnezzar the Great, who subdued Syria and Judea, under whose dominion the prophet Ezekiel lived at the same time when the book of the law was also found in the temple, namely, in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, 2 Kings 22:8; 23:21. Others have other accounts.
2 Which for the most part agrees with our June, and is called by the Jews Tamuz; meaning of the ecclesiastical year, for, the month of the civil year is called Tebeth.
3 This word is here inserted from the following clause.
4 For, when Jehoiachin was carried away captive to Babylon with much people, the prophet Ezekiel was also among them. See Ezek. 33:21; 40:1.
5 Namely, as captives to Babel. Hebr. carrying away. Also 2 Kings 24:15; Ezra 1:11. Likewise also captivity for captives. See Num. 31 on verse 12.
6 Some understand here an arm of the river Euphrates, called also Chaborra, from Chabor a certain commander who divided the Euphrates; others a certain river in Mesopotamia, running from mount Masius into the river Euphrates toward a city of the same name.
a Psalm 137:1.
7 Namely, in a supernatural manner, whereby the prophet, being taken up in a trance, was endued with a new sight, to behold without any impediment which was shown to him. Compare Rev. 4:1; 19:11.
8 That is, which God showed unto me, or wherein God by certain forms caused Himself to be seen by me in the spirit. Also Ezek. 8:3; 40:2. See of Divine visions, Gen. 15 on verse 1. Concerning this vision, there are different expositions of it in the church of God, amongst which seems to be the most skilful is here followed.
2In the fifth day of the month, which was the 9fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity,
9 If to these five years we add the eleven years of Jehoiachin’s reign, 2 Kings 23:36, the three months of Jehoahaz, 2 Kings 23:31, and the last fourteen years of Josiah, we find the thirty years with three months, whereof is spoken in the previous verse.
3The word of the LORD 10came expressly unto 11Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and 12the hand of the LORD was there upon him.
10 Hebr. coming to pass came to pass.
11 Hebr. Jechezkel. This name signifies the strength of God, or, the strengthened of God.
12 That is, the ability to prophecy was given him of God. See 2 Kings 3 on verse 15. Also Ezek. 3:22; 37:1; 40:1. For hand is Spirit in Ezek. 11:5. The meaning is one and the same. For, the Spirit of God gives the ability and the gift to prophecy, 1 Cor. 12:4, etc.
4¶And I 13looked, and, behold, a whirlwind 14came out of 15the north, a 16great cloud, and a 17fire 18infoldingb itself, and a 19brightness was about it, and out of the midst 20thereof as 21the colour of 22amber, 23out of the midst of the fire.
13 Compare this vision with what is written in Ezekiel 10.
14 Namely, not only to stir up the prophet to attention, but also to represent the terrible power of the supreme Judge, which He would put in practice against Jerusalem by her enemies. See of such a similitude Job 9 on verse 17.
15 Namely, from where would come the enemies of the Jews, that is, the Chaldeans. Compare Jer. 1:13, 14, 15.
16 Understand hereby the army of the Chaldeans. See Jer. 4:13. Compare Ezek. 30:18; 38:9.
17 This fire signifies the burning of the city of Jerusalem and the temple.
18 Hebr. catching itself, namely, in that cloud; or, compassing it. Compare Exod. 9:24.
b flashing here and there
19 Understand herewith the glory of justice, which God obtains by His punishments and judgments, Psalm 51:4; Isa. 5:16.
20 That is, of the fire, as appears by the end of this verse.
21 Hebr. eye, that is, color or hue, whereupon the eye has its operation, also verse 7; Lev. 13:55; Num. 11:7.
22 Many understand hereby a kind of resin, called amber, by the Latines succinum. Others take it to be a kind of metal called electrum, consisting of gold, whereof the fifth part is silver, in color like unto pale gold. Others understand the word of the purest burning copper or steel; some take it for the color of very fiery coals, having the name (as some conceive) from hasty cutting asunder, consuming, etc. which suits well with burning steel and coals.
23 That is, as the form emits and appears when it lies and burns in the midst of the fire.
5Also out of the midst 24thereof came the likeness of 25four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of 26a man.
24 Namely, of the fire, wherein was the color of amber. Now that these four creatures are said to come out of the midst of the fire, this signifies both the brightness of their nature, and the fervency of their operation. Herewith agrees the name seraphims, being derived from saraph, that is, to burn, Isa. 6:2, 6.
25 By these creatures are to be understood the holy angels, because they are called cherubims, Ezek. 10:15, 20.
26 Namely, for the most part of their body; for, they had the face, hands and legs of a man, verses 7 and 8. Angels are likened unto men, because they have understanding and will, but much more perfect than men, 2 Sam. 14:20; Psalm 103:20; 1 Peter 1:12.
6Andc every one had 27four faces, and every one had 28four wings.
c Ezek. 10:14.
27 Whereof see verse 10.
28 Namely, two with which to fly, which they, nevertheless in this vision, lifted up towards the firmament, and (with them) somewhat covered their faces, signifying partly their speediness in the execution of God’s commands, and partly their willing attendance and disposition unto God their Lord; and two other wings with which they had to cover their body, showing both their reverence towards God and the invisibility of their nature and essence unto man. In Isa. 6:2 and in Rev. 4:8 six wings are ascribed unto the angels, namely, two more besides these four, wherewith they cover their faces, because they were before the throne of God, Whose brightness and majesty they were not able to endure.
7And their 29feet were 30straight feet; and the 31sole of their feet was like the sole of a 32calf’s foot: and they 33sparkled like the colour of 34burnished brass.
29 That is, legs or shanks. Hebr. And their feet, the foot was straight.
30 Signifying the straightness of their works.
31 Understand that part of the leg which is properly called the foot.
32 Which are round and strong, signifying the swiftness and readiness of the angels in the execution of their ministry.
33 To show that the works, which God performs by the angels, are clear and glorious.
34 Or, polished, scoured and cleansed copper, signifying the purity of the angels. Compare Rev. 1:15.
8And they had 35the handsd of a man 36under their wings on their 37four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings.
35 Understand by these hands the works of the holy angels, which they do according to God’s command, and the aptness that is in them for those works.
d Ezek. 10:8.
36 Namely, to signify that their works are invisible and unknown to men.
37 Hebr. four squares, or, four foursides, whereby is represented that they executed God’s commands in and over all the four corners of the world. Compare Ezek. 43:16, 17.
9Their 38wings were joined 39one to another; they 40turned not when they went; 41they went every one straight forward.
38 Understand this of the wings with which they flew; and compare verse 11.
39 Hebr. the woman to her sister, that is, to one another, also verse 23; Exod. 26:3, 5, 6; Ezek. 3:13. This joining together seems to signify the mutual friendship and peace which is among the holy angels in the execution of their ministry.
40 That is, they departed not from the way which God had commanded them, but went on equally in it. Also verse 12 and 17.
41 That is, they went straight forward, keeping an equal pace, toward the place that was before their face, and unto which they were to come. This signifies that the holy angels go on in the work, enjoined them by God, without any looking back, and without being turned aside by any impediment.
10As for thee likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a 42man, and the face of a 43lion, on the right side: and 44they four had the face of an 45ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an 46eagle.
e Ezek. 10:14; Rev. 4:7.
42 Namely, the front. See the signification on verse 5. Observe that every creature had four faces, in front the face of a man, in the back the face of an eagle, on the right side the face of a lion, and on the left side the face of an ox.
43 Namely, this is to signify thereby that the angels are very strong. Of the strength of the lions see Judges 14:18; Prov. 30:30. Of the strength of the holy angels 2 Kings 19:35; Col. 1:16, who are also stronger than the devils, because they overcome them when they encounter with them, Dan. 10:13; Rev. 12:7, 8, 9.
44 Namely, creatures.
45 This signifies the ministering perseverance of the holy angels in the execution of the charges laid upon them by God.
46 Namely, in the back, opposite to the face of a man, which was in front. Understand hereby the quickness and alertness of the angels in their activity.
1147Thus were their faces: and 48their wings were 49stretched upward; 50two wings of 51every one were 52joined one to another, 53and two covered their bodies.
47 Other, This, or Thus were their faces; but their wings were spread upward, etc.
48 Understand the two wings wherewith they flew, which they lifted up as if they would fly.
49 That is, distinctly lifted up and stretched forth unto God, Who sat above the four creatures on a high throne in the form of a man. Whereby is signified that the holy angels are active with all their minds and affections to receive and execute the commands of God.
50 Namely, wings.
51 Namely, of the creatures.
52 See verse 9 and the annotations.
53 See the annotation on verse 6.
1254And they went every one straight forward: whither the 55spirit was to go, they went; and 56they turned not when they went.
54 See on verse 9.
55 Understand the Spirit and the power of God, Who worketh from the Father by the Son, Zech. 4:6, and whereby these creatures were moved and governed. Compare Ezek. 2 on verse 2; 3:14; 8:3; 11:1, 5; 43:5.
56 See on verse 9.
13As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like 57burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of 58lamps: it 59went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was 60bright, and out of the fire went forth 61lightning.
57 Which not only showed to the prophet here that some Divine thing was done, and that these creatures were no common creatures, but were angels of God; moreover signifying the burning wrath of God, whereof these angels were to be speedy and terrible executioners. Compare Psalm 18:8; 140:10, where burning coals signify God’s judgments.
58 Compare Dan. 10:6.
59 Or, caused itself to go, that is, went steadfastly on, by darting out perpetually new flames of fire. Whereby may be understood the perpetual motion of the angels to execute God’s wrath, as likewise the constant purpose of God ready to punish the wickedness of the Jews.
60 Signifying the purity of God’s justice which plainly appears in His judgments.
61 Understand hereby, partly the dreadful terrors which fall upon men by God’s just judgments, partly the incomprehensible speediness which the angels use in executing those judgments. Compare Mat. 24:27.
14And the living creatures ran and 62returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
62 Namely, not by turning themselves away out of weariness from any work which was begun, but by presenting themselves again before God, when their work is finished, being ready again to receive new commands. Of the former they are cleared, verses 9 and 12, and this latter is here ascribed unto them.
15¶Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one 63wheel upon the earth 64by the living creatures, with 65his 66four faces.
63 Which wheel (according to the opinion of some) signified the world, which is here upon the earth subject to many changes, like a running wheel, wherein oftentimes the upper part comes below, and the lowermost comes above. See Ezek. 10:13.
64 Understand that every creature had a wheel, so that there were four wheels. See verse 16; Ezek. 10:9, 12.
65 That is, sides or corners, wherewith they looked towards the four corners of the world. For, every wheel was twofold, being one wheel in another joined together athwart, so that those two wheels fastened together had the form of a bullet or ball, and four sides, whereupon they might be rolled and moved by the angels to the four corners of the earth, sometimes to one, and sometimes to another quarter.
66 Namely, of the wheel, or of every one of the creatures.
16Thef appearance of the wheels and their 67work was like unto the colour of a 68beryl: and they four had 69one likeness: and their appearance and their work was 70as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel.
f Ezek. 10:9, 10.
67 Or, workmanship, that is, form and fashion. This word is also taken in 1 Kings 7:17, 19, 26, 33. So likewise here in the sequel.
68 See Cant. 5 on verse 14.
69 Whereby is signified that the world is everywhere like unto itself, namely, unstable and transitory. Some apply this resemblance to the creatures.
70 See the previous verse on the words four faces. The signification hereof is, though the world by God’s ordering be very wisely governed, yet many things in it everywhere, when soever it pleases God in His just judgment, are both in general, and in particular very suddenly confounded, and turned upside down, which He knows very well how to redress to His own glory and to the salvation of His people.
17When they went, they went 71upon their four sides: and they 72turned not when they went.
71 Namely, either to the front part, where was the face of a man, or to the back part, where stood the eagle’s face, or to the right side, which had the face of a lion, or to the left side, where stood the face of the ox, so that in going there was no turning back, following the face of the creature or the cherub. The same is also said of the creatures in verses 9 and 12.
72 See on verse 9.
18As for their 73rings, 74they were so high that they were dreadful; and theirg rings were full of 75eyes round about them four.
73 Hebr. backs. Understand the rims, or, the ironwork of every wheel, which are the outermost and highest part thereof; signifying the greatest, highest and most fearful things of the world; and that all these are under the power of God, and are governed by Him by the ministry of His angels.
74 Hebr. and they had height, and they had dreadfulness, that is, they were so high, as that they were dreadful or caused fear.
g Ezek. 10:12.
75 These eyes point us to the Providence of God, Who beholds and governs all things upon the face of the earth. Compare 2 Chron. 16:9 Job 34:21; Psalm 33:18; Jer. 16:17; Zech. 3:9; 4:10.
1976Andh 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.
76 This signifies unto us that the changes which happen in this world are governed by God by the ministry of His holy angels; whereof the ordering, though it is for the most part incomprehensible, is just and righteous.
h Ezek. 10:16.
20Whithersoever the 77spirit was to go, 78they went, 79thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against 80them: for 81the spirit of the 82living creature was in the wheels.
77 See verse 12 and the annotation.
78 Namely, the wheels.
79 He repeats the same again, to make the matter more plain and certain.
80 Namely, the creatures, with whose lifting up the wheels were also lifted up among them.
81 The meaning is: that the wheels were moved and driven by one Spirit, whereby the creatures were moved and driven, namely, by the Spirit of God.
82 Hebr. of the creature. The singular number for the plural. Also verses 21 and 22. Other, a spirit of life was in the wheels.
21When 83those went, 84these went; and when those 85stood, these stood; and 86when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the 87spirit of the 88living creature was in the wheels.
83 Namely, the creatures. Likewise in the sequel.
84 Namely, wheels. Likewise in the sequel
85 That is, were no more moved nor went forward. Understand herewith, that the angels, having finished their work, do quietly wait for other charges which God may lay upon them.
86 See at the end of the 20th verse.
87 See on verse 12.
88 Hebr. of the creature, as verse 20.
22And the likeness of 89the firmament upon the heads 90of the living creature was as the 91colour of the 92terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.
89 What is properly the firmament, which was created by God in the beginning, may be seen in Gen. 1 on verse 6. Here is now spoken of the likeness of that firmament, which was shown unto the prophet in a vision, and consequently (it) was not a thing that remained perpetually in its own nature and essence, but was only a shape and appearance of it.
90 Hebr. of the creature, as before.
91 Hebr. eye. See on verse 4.
92 Or, of dreadful ice; for, the word kerach is for the most part taken for ice, but it is rendered here by the expositors crystal; as the same is also like unto ice hardened into a stone, very clear, bright and transparent, so that the form of this firmament was like unto transparent ice, of such clear brightness, that it was a terrible thing to behold, for the reason it is here also called terrible. This firmament was above over the heads of the creatures, or angels; intimating that the Lord could see through it conveniently all that was under it, and that the angels could somewhat behold His majesty that was above it.
23And under the firmament were their wings 93straight, 94the one toward the other: 95every one had two, 96which covered on this side, and 97every one had two, 98which covered on that side, their bodies.
93 That is, lifted upwards. See on verse 6 and compare verse 11.
94 Hebr. the woman toward her sister. See on verse 9.
95 Understand this of the other two wings, which every one of these creatures had hanging downward to cover their bodies therewith. See on verse 6.
96 That is, of which the one covered their one side, namely, the front part, and the other the other side, namely, the back part. For, these creatures had but four wings, of which the two uppermost were lifted up, wherewith they flew, and the other two hung down, to cover therewith their bodies.
97 The repetition of one or more words is done according to the manner and custom of speaking used by the Hebrews, when they make any division. See Gen. 7 on verse 2.
98 That is, of which the other wing covered the back side of their bodies.
24And when they went, I heard the 99noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as 100the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: when they 101stood, they let down their wings.
99 This various sound signifies partly an holy acclamation and thanksgiving of the angels, and partly that the judgment of God, which He executes upon the wicked by the ministry of His angels, are most dreadful and terrible, so that everyone has cause to be amazed at it.
100 Understand herewith: when he speaketh, from Ezek. 10:5. Some understand it of the rattling or rumbling of the thunder. See Psalm 29:3.
101 See on verse 21.
25And there was a 102voice from the firmament that was over 103their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings.
102 Namely, whereby the prophet was awakened to listen and to receive the commands of God with reverence and obedience. Compare Exod. 19:16; Rev. 1:10.
103 Namely, of the four creatures.
26¶And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a 104throne, as the appearance of a 105sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a 106man 107above upon it.
104 This signified a royal majesty, and the power of a supreme judge, Gen. 41:40; 1 Kings 1:13; 7:7; Prov. 20:8.
105 Whose color is sky-blue, shining with golden pearls. See Job 28 on verse 16. It signified a heavenly throne full of majesty and glory. Compare Exod. 24:10.
106 Which was the representation of the majesty of God. Compare Isa. 6 on verse 1. Some apply it especially to the majesty of our Lord Jesus Christ, true God and Man in unity of Person, the only Mediator of all believers, and the Judge of all men, Who Ezek. 8:6 calls the temple his sanctuary, and here verse 28 is called the LORD.
107 Namely, as an everlasting King and supreme Judge, 2 Sam. 7:13; Psalm 45:6; Mat. 25:31; Luke 1:32, 33; John 5:22, 27; Acts 10:42; 17:31.
27And I saw 108as the colour of 109amber, as the appearance 110of fire 111round 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 112brightness round about.
108 Namely, round about Him Who sat above the firmament on the throne.
109 See on verse 4.
110 Whereby was signified the eternal Godhead, Who is called a consuming fire, Deut. 4:24. See the annotation there.
111 That is, round about within the color of amber; so that it seemed that He Who sat on the throne was compassed about with burning amber from His loins upward unto the head, and downward unto the feet.
112 Which signifies that God dwells in a light which no man can approach unto, 1 Tim. 6:16, and nevertheless remains a Light of comfort and salvation to all those who are His, that is, the true believers, Psalm 27:1; Isa. 60:20; Micah 7:8.
28As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, 113so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the 114glory of the LORD. And wheni I saw it, I 115fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.
113 The likeness of the rainbow served to set out and magnify the majesty of Him Who sat upon the throne, and the reverent awe of the prophet toward the same. Thereby may be also understood a token of mercy and favor, which God in punishing would show unto true penitents.
114 Namely, whereby God manifested Himself in this vision, of which see also Exod. 6:7; Lev. 9 on verse 6; Num. 14 on verse 10; Ezek. 3:23; 8:4; 9:3, etc. So then hereby is to be understood God’s glorious presence, and consequently He Himself.
i Dan. 10:9
115 Namely, being astonished by that dreadful manifestation of the Divine Majesty, and being ready to honor the Same with adoration. Compare Gen. 17 on verse 3.