Ezekiel 1:10 kjv

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.

Ezekiel 1:10 nkjv

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

Ezekiel 1:10 niv

Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle.

Ezekiel 1:10 esv

As for the likeness of their faces, each had a human face. The four had the face of a lion on the right side, the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and the four had the face of an eagle.

Ezekiel 1:10 nlt

Each had a human face in the front, the face of a lion on the right side, the face of an ox on the left side, and the face of an eagle at the back.

Ezekiel 1 verses

Ezekiel 1 10 Meaning

Ezekiel 1:10 describes the specific appearance of the faces of each of the four living creatures seen in Ezekiel's inaugural vision. Each creature possessed four distinct faces: that of a man, a lion, an ox (or calf), and an eagle. This composite imagery signifies the comprehensive nature of divine power, intelligence, royalty, service, and transcendence, embodying a perfect blend of creation's most profound attributes under God's supreme authority. The uniform possession of these four faces by each creature emphasizes unity, perfection, and universal applicability of these attributes of God and His servants.

Ezekiel 1 10 Context

Ezekiel 1:10 is part of Ezekiel's inaugural vision, which occurred in the fifth year of King Jehoiachin's captivity (c. 593 BC) by the Chebar River in Babylonia. Ezekiel, a priest in exile, is called by God to be a prophet to the Jewish captives. This vision served to reveal God's continuing presence and glory, even in exile, and to establish Ezekiel's prophetic authority. Chapter 1 introduces the awe-inspiring chariot throne of God, borne by four living creatures (later identified as cherubim in Ezek 10). The intricate description of these creatures, including their multifaceted faces, wheels, and collective movement, underscores the majestic and omnipresent nature of the Lord, despite the destruction of His temple in Jerusalem. It brought a profound message to a despairing people: God was not confined to Jerusalem; His glory and authority were universal and transcendent, maintaining power even in a foreign land. The imagery, though startling, drew from known ancient Near Eastern composite figures, but Ezekiel's description uniquely directs focus away from pagan deities towards the incomparable, singular God of Israel, affirming His absolute sovereignty over all creation and nations.

Ezekiel 1 10 Word analysis

• As for the likeness (כְּדְמוּת, kedemut): The term demut signifies a similitude, resemblance, or pattern rather than an identical replication. It implies that what Ezekiel saw was a representation or image of heavenly realities, emphasizing that human language can only capture a shadowy impression of divine things. It avoids suggesting direct, physical form for God, preserving His transcendence.
• of their faces (פְּנֵיהֶם, peneihem): Panim (face) refers to the frontal appearance or countenance. In a deeper sense, it can mean "presence." The multiple faces suggest multifaceted presence or aspects of their nature, simultaneously visible.
• they four: This repetition highlights the complete uniformity among the four living creatures. Each individual creature possessed all these faces, signifying that the attributes symbolized by each face are universally applicable to each creature and, by extension, to the representation of God's character and government they embody. It underscores unity and totality.
• had the face of a man (פְּנֵי אָדָם, penei 'adam): 'Adam denotes humanity, mankind. This face symbolizes intellect, rationality, moral uprightness, compassion, and sovereignty over creation, given to man in Gen 1:26. In Christ, it signifies His perfect humanity, wisdom, and compassionate identification with humankind.
• and the face of a lion (וּפְנֵי אַרְיֵה, ufenei 'aryeh): 'Aryeh denotes a lion. The lion is universally a symbol of strength, ferocity, courage, royalty, majesty, and dominion. This face points to God's unassailable power, His kingly rule, and His capacity for righteous judgment. For the Messiah, it identifies Him as the "Lion of the tribe of Judah," the reigning King.
• on the right side (אֶל-הַיָּמִין, el hayyamin): The right side typically connotes strength, authority, honor, and preference. Its placement implies the prominence and active assertion of these attributes.
• and they four had the face of an ox (וּפְנֵי שׁוֹר, ufenei shor): Shor (ox or bull) typically represents strength, endurance, diligent service, labor, patience, and sacrifice (as an animal often used for offerings). Later, in Ezek 10:14, the "face of a cherub" is identified as the "face of an ox." This face speaks of tireless service, burden-bearing, and willingness for self-sacrifice, pointing to God's sustaining power and, profoundly, to the atoning work of Christ as the ultimate Servant.
• on the left side (וְאֶל-הַשְּׂמֹאול, ve'el hassemol): While "right" often signifies prominence, the left side indicates completeness and balance, showing that all aspects are present and integrated. There is no less importance; it represents the complementary nature of these attributes.
• they four also had the face of an eagle (וּפְנֵי נֶשֶׁר, ufenei nesher): Nesher (eagle) symbolizes swiftness, transcendent power, soaring vision, divine majesty, and sovereignty. The eagle ascends highest among birds, seeing from above, representing divine omniscience and His ability to execute His purposes swiftly and powerfully, and to carry His people to safety (Exod 19:4).

• Words-Group Analysis:
• "They four had the face... and they four had the face... they four also had the face...": This repeated phrasing emphasizes the universal presence of all four faces on each of the creatures. It highlights the completeness and unified nature of the attributes being portrayed. No creature lacked any face; they were perfectly equipped for their role in serving God's throne. This signifies a holistic and integrated portrayal of divine qualities rather than fragmented ones.
• "on the right side... on the left side": While the verse lists lion and man on the right, and ox on the left (the eagle is not explicitly placed by a direction but is part of the collective four faces), some interpretations vary regarding precise anatomical arrangement based on different manuscripts or conceptual understanding. Regardless of specific side for each, the overall structure implies a symmetrical and comprehensive design, reflecting order, balance, and purposeful arrangement around the central, all-encompassing glory of God. It signifies a perfectly ordered manifestation of God's multi-faceted nature.

Ezekiel 1 10 Bonus section

• Theological Coherence: The description of these creatures, whether called "living creatures" (hayyot) or "cherubim" (Ezekiel 10), reflects a consistent biblical portrayal of divine attendants guarding God's holy presence, from the Garden of Eden (Gen 3) to the mercy seat of the Ark (Exod 25) and Solomon's Temple (1 Kgs 6). The comprehensive nature of the faces ensures that every aspect of creation—represented by the human pinnacle, king of beasts, strength of burden-bearer, and sovereign of the sky—is enlisted in service to the Lord.
• The Number Four: The recurring number four (four creatures, four faces, four directions in the world, four Gospels) signifies universality and completeness. These creatures symbolize God's sovereign dominion and oversight over the entire created order, demonstrating His omnipresent and multifaceted glory affecting all realms.
• Ancient Near Eastern Context and Polemic: While composite creatures were common in ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian iconography (e.g., lamassu figures with human, lion, bull, eagle features guarding palaces), Ezekiel's vision transforms this imagery. Instead of deifying fragmented, limited pagan powers, these creatures unequivocally serve and magnify the singular, true God, YHWH. They are not deities themselves, but created beings reflecting His perfect, comprehensive nature, thus providing a polemic against local idolatry and stressing the universality of God's true reign even from the context of exile.
• Stability and Movement: These creatures, despite their power, stand firm, bearing the glory of God above them. They are associated with wheels full of eyes, signifying rapid and purposeful movement in any direction without turning (Ezek 1:17). This combined imagery of fixed presence and fluid motion depicts God's stable, unchanging character alongside His dynamic and omnipresent activity in the world.

Ezekiel 1 10 Commentary

Ezekiel 1:10 vividly portrays the cherubim's four faces, each signifying crucial attributes of God and the perfection inherent in His celestial retinue. The face of a man speaks to intelligence, morality, and God's interaction with humanity in the context of wisdom and divine purpose. The face of a lion asserts His royalty, undeniable power, and judicial authority. The face of an ox symbolizes His strength for service, patient endurance, and readiness for sacrifice, often connected to the practical labor and support. The face of an eagle represents His transcendence, divine perspective, swiftness in judgment or salvation, and unparalleled majesty. The crucial point is that each of the four living creatures possessed all these faces. This ensures that every action or movement associated with God's throne is permeated with His intelligence, power, service, and divine transcendence. These composite creatures demonstrate the multifaceted perfection and omnipresent authority of the Holy God, ministering to Him comprehensively and perpetually.