Ezekiel 1:15 kjv
Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces.
Ezekiel 1:15 nkjv
Now as I looked at the living creatures, behold, a wheel was on the earth beside each living creature with its four faces.
Ezekiel 1:15 niv
As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature with its four faces.
Ezekiel 1:15 esv
Now as I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the earth beside the living creatures, one for each of the four of them.
Ezekiel 1:15 nlt
As I looked at these beings, I saw four wheels touching the ground beside them, one wheel belonging to each.
Ezekiel 1 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 3:24 | He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. | Cherubim guarding Eden, illustrating celestial presence. |
| Exod 25:18 | You shall make two cherubim of gold... | Cherubim as part of the Tabernacle's divine imagery. |
| 1 Chr 28:18 | ...and for the altar of incense, refined gold by weight; also his plan for the chariot of the cherubim that spread their wings and covered the ark of the covenant of the Lord. | Cherubim as a divine chariot or throne bearer. |
| Psa 18:10 | He rode on a cherub and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind. | God riding cherubim, symbolizing swift divine action. |
| Isa 6:2-3 | Above him stood the seraphim... And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!" | Vision of seraphim and divine glory on earth. |
| Isa 66:1 | Thus says the Lord: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest?" | God's omnipresent throne, transcending earthly space. |
| Zech 6:1-8 | Again I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, four chariots came out from between two mountains... These are going out to the four winds of heaven, after presenting themselves before the Lord of all the earth. | Heavenly chariots associated with divine judgment/activity. |
| Dan 7:9 | As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat... His throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. | Divine throne with wheels, emphasizing mobility and power. |
| Matt 28:18 | And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." | Christ's cosmic authority, reflecting divine rule. |
| Luke 17:20-21 | ...for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you." | God's active presence and reign are already near. |
| Acts 7:55-56 | But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God... | Stephen's vision of heavenly glory, echoing prophetic sights. |
| Rev 1:12-16 | Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me... And he had in his right hand seven stars... and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. | John's vision of the glorified Christ. |
| Rev 4:6-8 | ...and around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox... | Vision of living creatures around God's throne in heaven. |
| Rev 5:1 | Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll with seven seals... | God's sovereignty and unfolding plan revealed from the throne. |
| Rev 6:1 | Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say, as with a voice of thunder, "Come!" | Living creatures playing a role in the unfolding of divine judgments. |
| Rev 21:1-2 | Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away... And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God... | God's presence coming down to a renewed earth. |
| Heb 1:7 | Of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire." | Divine control over celestial beings as agents of God. |
| Heb 1:14 | Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? | Angels as ministering spirits, serving God's purposes. |
| Phil 2:9-10 | Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth... | Cosmic scope of divine authority and glory. |
| Eph 1:20-22 | ...which he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion... | Christ's exaltation and universal authority. |
| Col 1:16 | For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. | Christ as creator of all cosmic powers and beings. |
Ezekiel 1 verses
Ezekiel 1 15 Meaning
Ezekiel 1:15 introduces the appearance of wheels in Ezekiel’s vision, directly associating them with the previously described living creatures (the Chayot). It highlights that a distinct wheel stood on the ground adjacent to each living creature, specifically linked to its unique four-faced configuration. This signifies an immediate connection between the animated celestial beings and the means of their locomotion or manifestation on the earthly plane, indicating divine sovereignty, movement, and detailed design.
Ezekiel 1 15 Context
Ezekiel 1:15 occurs early in the book of Ezekiel, specifically within the prophet's foundational vision of God's glory and divine presence. This vision, encountered "in the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin," identifies God's profound revelation to Ezekiel even amidst the Babylonian exile by the Kebar River (Eze 1:1). The immediate preceding verses (Eze 1:4-14) describe in detail four fantastic "living creatures" (Chayot)—their appearance, faces (four each: man, lion, ox, eagle), wings, and movement. Verse 15 marks a pivotal transition in the vision, introducing another complex element: the "wheels" (ophan). The vision as a whole serves to assure Ezekiel and the exiled Israelites that God's power and presence are not confined to Jerusalem or the temple but extend universally, operating even in a foreign land. It provides a basis for Ezekiel’s prophetic call, emphasizing God’s active sovereignty, control, and imminent judgment or intervention, regardless of the physical location of His people. Historically, this countered any notion that the Babylonian gods or powers were supreme, clearly asserting the Lord's absolute transcendence and omnipresence even far from Zion.
Ezekiel 1 15 Word analysis
- Now as I looked:
- Now as I looked: Emphasizes the continuity and progression of the vision for Ezekiel. The verb "looked" (רָאָה, ra'ah) implies active perception, not a fleeting glance, suggesting intense focus on divine revelation.
- at the living creatures:
- living creatures: (חַיּוֹת, chayot) This reiterates the subjects of Ezekiel's prior observation (Eze 1:5-14). Their 'living' nature underscores that these are not inanimate objects or idols but dynamic, Spirit-filled entities of God's glory. The repeated emphasis highlights their centrality to the divine throne-chariot.
- behold, a wheel:
- behold: (הִנֵּה, hineh) An interjection signaling something new, surprising, and significant is about to be revealed, drawing immediate attention to the wheels.
- a wheel: (אוֹפַן, ophan) This term is pivotal. The "wheel" here is singular but anticipates a set. In biblical and ancient Near Eastern contexts, wheels symbolize movement, transport, authority, and divine direction. Its appearance next to the living creatures suggests a fundamental connection between the two for divine action and manifestation.
- was on the earth:
- on the earth: (עַל הָאָרֶץ, ʿal hāʾāreṣ) This specifies the location of the wheel, grounding the celestial vision on the terrestrial plane. This is significant because it shows God's immediate interaction and presence even with creation and exiled people, not just in the heavens. It bridges the gap between the heavenly glory and earthly reality.
- beside the living creatures:
- beside: (אֵצֶל, ʾeṣel) Indicates immediate proximity and a direct relationship. The wheels are not independent but intrinsically linked to the living creatures, implying a coordinated movement and purpose. They are integral components of the divine manifestation.
- one for each:
- one for each: Establishes a direct, corresponding relationship. Each living creature is explicitly assigned its own wheel. This suggests a symmetrical and perfectly ordered system within God's glory.
- of the four faces:
- of the four faces: (לְאַרְבַּע פָּנָיו, ləʾarbaʿ pānāyw) This links the number of wheels to the four-faced characteristic of each creature, described in Eze 1:10. It implies that the wheels move in all four directions, matching the creatures' ability to move without turning (Eze 1:9, 12). This foreshadows their remarkable omnidirectional movement and signifies the comprehensive, unrestrained movement of God's Spirit and sovereign will across all directions and realms.
Ezekiel 1 15 Bonus section
The vision of the wheels and living creatures served as a polemic against Babylonian cosmology, where various gods were associated with specific celestial bodies and terrestrial forces. Ezekiel's vision asserts that the God of Israel is not confined to one place (like Jerusalem) nor limited by external forces. Instead, His glory and sovereign rule are dynamically present everywhere, riding upon multi-faceted beings and omnipresent wheels that signify absolute freedom of movement and action. The highly detailed and fantastical imagery challenges pagan perceptions of order by revealing a more profound, divinely orchestrated cosmic structure. This vision foreshadows later descriptions of divine mobility and control, reinforcing the idea of a portable glory that could accompany His people even into exile.
Ezekiel 1 15 Commentary
Ezekiel 1:15 introduces the critical element of the ophan or wheels, which become synonymous with divine motion and sovereignty throughout Ezekiel's vision. Far from mere conveyances, these wheels, later revealed as "a wheel within a wheel" (Eze 1:16) and "full of eyes" (Eze 10:12), are an integral, animate component of God’s mobile throne-chariot. Their placement "on the earth beside the living creatures" immediately demonstrates that God's presence, authority, and activity are not limited to the heavenly realms but extend directly to and operate within the earthly domain, even in a pagan land of exile. This was a profoundly reassuring message for the exiles, challenging their assumption that God had abandoned them in Babylon. The detail "one for each of the four faces" explicitly connects the wheels' function to the living creatures' multi-faceted ability to perceive and move in all directions without turning, emphasizing God's universal knowledge, omnipresence, and unhindered sovereign will. The wheels are a vivid symbol of God's capacity to enact His purposes anytime, anywhere, governed entirely by the Spirit. Practically, it signifies that God's control is active in all circumstances of life, guiding and moving events with precise, comprehensive oversight, even in seemingly dark and dislocated times.