1 Now it came to passe in the thirtieth yeere, in the fourth moneth, in the fifth day of the moneth, (as I was among the captiues by the riuer of Chebar) that the heauens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
2 In the fifth day of the moneth, (which was the fifth yeere of king Iehoiakins captiuitie,)
3 The word of the Lord came expresly vnto Ezekiel the Priest, the sonne of Buzi, in the land of the Caldeans, by the riuer Chebar, and the hand of the Lord was there vpon him.
4 ¶ And I looked, and behold, a whirlewinde came out of the North, a great cloude, and a fire infoulding it selfe, and a brightnesse was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.
5 Also out of the midst thereof came the likenesse of foure liuing creatures, and this was their appearance: they had the likenesse of a man.
6 And euery one had foure faces, and euery one had foure wings.
7 And their feet were straight feet, and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calues foot, and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brasse.
8 And they had the handes of a man vnder their wings on their foure sides, and they foure had their faces and their wings.
9 Their wings were ioyned one to another, they turned not when they went: they went euery one straight forward.
10 As for the likenesse of their faces, they foure had the face of a man, and the face of a lyon on the right side, and they foure had the face of an oxe on the left side: they foure also had the face of an eagle.
11 Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched vpward, two wings of euery one were ioyned one to an other, and two couered their bodies.
12 And they went euery one straight forward: whither the spirit was to goe, they went: and they turned not when they went.
13 As for the likenesse of the liuing creatures, their appearance was like burning coles of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went vp and downe among the liuing creatures, and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went foorth lightning.
14 And the liuing creatures ranne, and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
15 ¶ Now as I behelde the liuing creatures: behold one wheele vpon the earth by the liuing creatures, with his foure faces.
16 The appearance of the wheeles, and their worke was like vnto the colour of a Berill: and they foure had one likenesse, and their appearance and their worke was as it were a wheele in the middle of a wheele.
17 When they went, they went vpon their foure sides: and they returned 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 foure.
19 And when the liuing creatures went, the wheeles went by them: and when the liuing creatures were lift vp from the earth, the wheels were lift vp.
20 Whithersoeuer the spirit was to goe, they went, thither was their spirit to goe, and the wheeles were lifted vp ouer against them: for the spirit of the liuing creature was in the wheeles.
21 When those went, these went, and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted vp from the earth, the wheeles were lifted vp ouer against them: for the spirit of the liuing creature was in the wheeles.
22 And the likenesse of the firmament vpon the heads of the liuing creature was as the colour of the terrible chrystall, stretched foorth ouer their heads aboue.
23 And vnder the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other, euery one had two which couered on this side, & euery one had two, which couered 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 Almightie, the voice of speech, as the noise of an hoste: when they stood, they let downe their wings.
25 And there was a voice from the firmament, that was ouer their heads, when they stood, and had let downe their wings.
26 ¶ And aboue the firmament that was ouer their heads, was the likenesse of a Throne, as the appearance of a Saphyre stone, and vpon the likenesse of the Throne was the likenesse as the appearance of a man aboue vpon it.
27 And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it: from the appearance of his loynes euen vpward, and from the appearance of his loynes euen downeward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, & it had brightnesse round about.
28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloude in the day of raine, so was the appearance of the brightnesse round about. This was the appearance of the likenesse of the glory of the Lord: and when I saw it, I fell vpon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.
Ezekiel was one of the priests; he was carried captive to Chaldea with Jehoiachin. All his prophecies appear to have been delivered in that country, at some place north of Babylon. Their chief object appears to have been to comfort his brethren in captivity. He is directed to warn of the dreadful calamities coming upon Judea, particularly upon the false prophets, and the neighbouring nations. Also to announce the future restoration of Israel and Judah from their several dispersions, and their happy state in their latter days, under the Messiah. Much of Christ will be found in this book, especially in the conclusion.Ezekiel's vision of God, and of the angelic host. (1-14) The conduct of Divine Providence. (15-25) A revelation of the Son of man upon his heavenly throne. (26-28)1-14 It is a mercy to have the word of God brought to us, and a duty to attend to it diligently, when we are in affliction. The voice of God came in the fulness of light and power, by the Holy Spirit. These visions seem to have been sent to possess the prophet's mind with great and high thoughts of God. To strike terror upon sinners. To speak comfort to those that feared God, and humbled themselves. In ver. #4-14|, is the first part of the vision, which represents God as attended and served by a vast company of angels, who are all his messengers, his ministers, doing his commandments. This vision would impress the mind with solemn awe and fear of the Divine displeasure, yet raise expectations of blessings. The fire is surrounded with a glory. Though we cannot by searching find out God to perfection, yet we see the brightness round about it. The likeness of the living creatures came out of the midst of the fire; angels derive their being and power from God. They have the understanding of a man, and far more. A lion excels in strength and boldness. An ox excels in diligence and patience, and unwearied discharge of the work he has to do. An eagle excels in quickness and piercing sight, and in soaring high; and the angels, who excel man in all these respects, put on these appearances. The angels have wings; and whatever business God sends them upon, they lose no time. They stood straight, and firm, and steady. They had not only wings for motion, but hands for action. Many persons are quick, who are not active; they hurry about, but do nothing to purpose; they have wings, but no hands. But wherever the angels' wings carried them, they carried hands with them, to be doing what duty required. Whatever service they went about, they went every one straight forward. When we go straight, we go forward; when we serve God with one heart, we perform work. They turned not when they went. They made no mistakes; and their work needed not to be gone over again. They turned not from their business to trifle with any thing. They went whithersoever the Spirit of God would have them go. The prophet saw these living creatures by their own light, for their appearance was like burning coals of fire; they are seraphim, or "burners;" denoting the ardour of their love to God, and fervent zeal in his service. We may learn profitable lessons from subjects we cannot fully enter into or understand. But let us attend to the things which relate to our peace and duty, and leave secret things to the Lord, to whom alone they belong.
15-25 Providence, represented by the wheels, produces changes. Sometimes one spoke of the wheel is uppermost, sometimes another; but the motion of the wheel on its own axletree is regular and steady. We need not despond in adversity; the wheels are turning round and will raise us in due time, while those who presume in prosperity know not how soon they may be cast down. The wheel is near the living creatures; the angels are employed as ministers of God's providence. The spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels; the same wisdom, power, and holiness of God, that guide and govern the angels, by them order all events in this lower world. The wheel had four faces, denoting that the providence of God exerts itself in all parts. Look every way upon the wheel of providence, it has a face toward you. Their appearance and work were as a wheel in the middle of a wheel. The disposals of Providence seem to us dark, perplexed, and unaccountable, yet are all wisely ordered for the best. The motion of these wheels was steady, regular, and constant. They went as the Spirit directed, therefore returned not. We should not have to undo that by repentance which we have done amiss, if we followed the guidance of the Spirit. The rings, or rims of the wheels were so vast, that when put in motion the prophet was afraid to look upon them. The consideration of the height and depth of God's counsel should awe us. They were full of eyes round about. The motions of Providence are all directed by infinite Wisdom. All events are determined by the eyes of the Lord, which are in every place beholding the evil and the good; for there is no such thing as chance or fortune. The firmament above was a crystal, glorious, but terribly so. That which we take to be a dark cloud, is to God clear as crystal, through which he looks upon all the inhabitants of the earth. When the angels had roused a careless world, they let down their wings, that God's voice might be plainly heard. The voice of Providence is to open men's ears to the voice of the word. Sounds on earth should awaken our attention to the voice from heaven; for how shall we escape, if we turn away from Him that speaks from thence.
26-28 The eternal Son, the second Person in the Trinity, who afterwards took the human nature, is here denoted. The first thing observed was a throne. It is a throne of glory, a throne of grace, a throne of triumph, a throne of government, a throne of judgment. It is good news to men, that the throne above the firmament is filled with One who appears, even there, in the likeness of a man. The throne is surrounded with a rainbow, the well-known emblem of the covenant, representing God's mercy and covenanted love to his people. The fire of God's wrath was breaking out against Jerusalem, but bounds should be set to it; he would look upon the bow, and remember the covenant. All the prophet saw was only to prepare him for what he was to hear. When he fell on his face, he heard the voice of One that spake. God delights to teach the humble. Let sinners, then, humble themselves before him. And let believers think upon his glory, that they may be gradually changed into his image by the Spirit of the Lord.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.