Ezekiel 1:11 kjv

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.

Ezekiel 1:11 nkjv

Thus were their faces. Their wings stretched upward; two wings of each one touched one another, and two covered their bodies.

Ezekiel 1:11 niv

Such were their faces. They each had two wings spreading out upward, each wing touching that of the creature on either side; and each had two other wings covering its body.

Ezekiel 1:11 esv

Such were their faces. And their wings were spread out above. Each creature had two wings, each of which touched the wing of another, while two covered their bodies.

Ezekiel 1:11 nlt

Each had two pairs of outstretched wings ? one pair stretched out to touch the wings of the living beings on either side of it, and the other pair covered its body.

Ezekiel 1 verses

Ezekiel 1 11 Meaning

Ezekiel 1:11 describes the intricate arrangement and function of the four wings possessed by each of the four living creatures (cherubim) in Ezekiel's inaugural vision. It specifies that two of their wings were extended upwards and connected to each other, forming a united canopy or structure above them, while the remaining two wings served to reverently conceal their bodies. This depiction reveals precise detail concerning the appearance and behavior of these divine attendants.

Ezekiel 1 11 Context

Ezekiel 1:11 is part of Ezekiel's inaugural vision by the Chebar Canal in Babylon, circa 593 BC. At this time, the Judean exiles, including Ezekiel, had been deported from Jerusalem, leading to potential doubts about God's presence and power away from the Temple. This chapter introduces the "likeness of four living creatures" (Eze 1:5) – identified later as cherubim – who accompany the moving throne-chariot of God. Verse 10 has just described their four faces (man, lion, ox, eagle). Verse 11 continues this highly detailed description, focusing on the specific configuration of their wings. This intricate imagery serves to overwhelm the prophet with the majesty, holiness, and pervasive power of God, reassuring the exiles that Yahweh is not confined to Jerusalem but sovereign everywhere, actively present even in pagan lands, and poised for future actions.

Ezekiel 1 11 Word analysis

• Such were their faces; (`pənêhem`, Hebrew: פְּנֵיהֶם): This phrase serves as a connective, transitioning from the description of their multiple faces in the preceding verse (Eze 1:10) to their wings. It implies the summary or conclusion of the "faces" description before moving to new details, suggesting an integration of all these powerful features into a single, cohesive being.
• as for their wings, (`k'nāfêhem`, Hebrew: כְּנַפֵיהֶם): The word `kānāph` (כָּנָף), meaning "wing," can also denote a "skirt," "corner," or "extremity." In the context of heavenly beings, it signifies their capacity for rapid movement and aerial maneuverability, as well as providing a covering or protective element. The visual detail here emphasizes the critical role of these appendages.
• two wings of each (`šətayim l'īsh`): Literally, "two for each (one)." This highlights the individual completeness of each cherub within the group. It signifies uniform design and function among the four creatures, contributing to a sense of order and unified purpose in God's heavenly court.
• were spread out above, (`ḥōv'rōt maʻlāh`): The verb `ḥāvar` (חָבַר) means "to join," "to associate," "to be knit together." `Maʻlāh` (מַעְלָה) means "upward," "above." This describes the active posture of the upper pair of wings, extended towards the divine presence. It indicates an active orientation towards the heavens, possibly forming a canopy that leads up to or supports the throne (Eze 1:26). This joining signifies unity, shared purpose, and perhaps mutual support in their service to the Most High.
• joining one another, (`'ish 'el-'aḥotah`): Literally "each one to its sister." This anthropomorphic expression for symmetry and close connection emphasizes the precise alignment and cooperation between these two wings. It speaks to a perfect, harmonious order within the heavenly realm, where all elements are interconnected and work in seamless synchronicity.
• and two covered their bodies. (`wūš'tayim m'kassōt 'et-gviyyōtêhen`): The verb `kāsāh` (כָּסָה) means "to cover," "to conceal," or "to hide." This reveals a distinct, second function for the remaining two wings. The act of covering implies reverence, humility, and protection from the overwhelming glory and holiness of God (similar to Isa 6:2 where seraphim cover their faces and feet). It visually underscores the holiness of God, before whom even powerful heavenly beings demonstrate profound awe and modesty, unfit to fully display their own form in His immediate presence.

Ezekiel 1 11 Bonus section

The highly ordered and purposeful arrangement of the cherubim's wings in Ezekiel's vision directly contrasts with the often haphazard and anthropocentric depictions of divine or mythical figures in contemporary Mesopotamian cultures. While Babylonian and Assyrian art frequently featured composite creatures (like lamassu), their forms often served to portray brute power or a fusion of various attributes without the profound theological underpinnings seen in Ezekiel. The meticulous detail in Ezekiel 1:11, specifying the precise number, direction, and function of each wing, is not merely for aesthetic description. Instead, it powerfully conveys Yahweh's precise order, absolute sovereignty, and transcendent holiness, showcasing a God who governs His heavenly realm with purposeful design and who is radically distinct from the static, regional deities worshipped by the exiles' captors. This verse, therefore, contributes to a subtle but significant polemic against the polytheistic conceptions of the ancient Near East by portraying Yahweh's celestial attendants in a manner that points uniquely to His matchless majesty and order.

Ezekiel 1 11 Commentary

Ezekiel 1:11 offers a profound visual and symbolic depiction of the cherubim, central to understanding the nature of God's presence. The verse articulates a striking dichotomy in the wings' function: two reaching "upward and joining one another," signifying a collective orientation towards God's throne, perhaps forming a supporting structure or canopy that points towards divine unity and celestial purpose. This upward reach reflects active service and shared dedication in God's majestic order. Conversely, the other "two covered their bodies," an act of profound reverence and humility. This is not merely an aesthetic detail but a theological statement: even celestial beings cannot fully reveal themselves in the overwhelming glory of God; they must veil their own being. This dual function of the wings—revealing shared purpose while concealing in reverence—emphasizes the supreme holiness of God, before whom all creation, no matter how powerful or splendid, must humble itself. It also hints at the balance between divine power (represented by movement and unity) and divine purity (requiring humble concealment). For the exiles, this vision depicted a God of awesome power and absolute sanctity, actively reigning even from beyond the desecrated Temple, assuring them of His omnipresent sovereignty.