Ezekiel 1:23 kjv

And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other: every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies.

Ezekiel 1:23 nkjv

And under the firmament their wings spread out straight, one toward another. Each one had two which covered one side, and each one had two which covered the other side of the body.

Ezekiel 1:23 niv

Under the vault their wings were stretched out one toward the other, and each had two wings covering its body.

Ezekiel 1:23 esv

And under the expanse their wings were stretched out straight, one toward another. And each creature had two wings covering its body.

Ezekiel 1:23 nlt

Beneath this surface the wings of each living being stretched out to touch the others' wings, and each had two wings covering its body.

Ezekiel 1 verses

Ezekiel 1 23 Meaning

Ezekiel 1:23 provides specific details about the wings of the four living creatures seen in Ezekiel's vision. Underneath the crystal-like expanse, their wings were perfectly straightened and extended towards each other in an ordered, symmetrical manner. This arrangement highlights a purposeful alignment and unity among the creatures. Furthermore, the verse emphasizes the function of these wings: each creature used four wings—two covering one side of its body and two covering the other side—to conceal themselves. This act of covering signifies profound reverence, humility, and protection in the holy presence of God, shielding their forms out of awe for His divine glory and purity.

Ezekiel 1 23 Context

Ezekiel 1:23 is a specific detail within Ezekiel's profound inaugural vision of God's glory by the Chebar Canal in Babylon (Eze 1:1). This verse immediately follows the description of the dazzling "firmament" or "expanse" stretching above the living creatures (Eze 1:22), and it precedes the prophet's account of the sound made by the wings and the glorious throne above (Eze 1:24-26). The chapter details four composite living creatures (often identified as cherubim), their associated wheels (ophannim), and the luminous firmament, all culminating in the manifestation of God's throne-chariot.

Historically, this vision came to Ezekiel during his exile in Babylon. Far from Jerusalem and the Temple, where God's presence was traditionally localized, the vision reassures Ezekiel and the exiles that God's sovereignty and presence are not confined to the land of Israel but extend even to their place of captivity. The intricate details, including the ordered disposition of the creatures' wings, stand in stark contrast to the pagan deities and chaotic worldview of the Babylonians, emphasizing the sublime order, holiness, and transcendent majesty of the God of Israel, capable of reaching His people anywhere.

Ezekiel 1 23 Word analysis

• And (וְ / ve): A simple conjunctive, linking this description of the wings to the preceding mention of the firmament, emphasizing a continuation of details within the unified vision.
• under (תַּחַת / tachat): A spatial preposition indicating immediate proximity beneath the firmament. It denotes a position subservient to, or located directly below, the vast expanse of the divine dwelling.
• the firmament (הָרָקִ֣יעַ / ha-raqia’): From the root raqa’, meaning "to stamp," "spread out," or "hammer out thin." It refers to the "expanse" or "vault" created by God on the second day (Gen 1:6-8), a division between waters. Here, in Ezekiel's vision, it appears like an "awesome crystal" (Eze 1:22), suggesting a translucent, solid, and vast ceiling under God's throne, signifying divine order and brilliance.
• were their wings (כַּנְפֵיהֶ֖ם / kanfehem): Kanaph (singular) means "wing," "edge," "extremity." In the plural (kanaphim), wings symbolize attributes like swiftness, protection, divine mobility, and activity. Their presence indicates celestial movement and active service to God.
• straight (יְשָׁרוֹת / yesharot): From yashar, meaning "straight," "right," "upright," "level." This adjective denotes order, precision, alignment, and readiness. It suggests the wings were not disarrayed but held in a specific, purposeful posture, indicating divine discipline and prompt obedience.
• the one toward the other (אִ֣ישָּׁה אֶל־אֲחוֹתָ֔הּ / ishah el-achotah): Literally "woman toward her sister," a common Hebrew idiom for "one to another" when describing reciprocal relationships or arrangements. This indicates perfect symmetry and alignment, showing harmonious interaction and unified action among the four living creatures. It signifies a profound coordination in their service to the Divine.
• every one had two (לְאִ֣ישׁ שְׁתַּ֗יִם / le’ish shetayiym): This phrase emphasizes the uniformity in the creatures' structure and the symmetrical distribution of their wings. Each creature consistently possesses this particular configuration of two wings, applied to a specific purpose.
• which covered (מְכַסּ֖וֹת / m'kassot): From kasah, "to cover," "to conceal," "to clothe." This verb describes the primary function of these specific wings in this context. Covering signifies humility, reverence, awe, and perhaps also protection of their forms from direct gaze, mirroring the angelic posture of Seraphim in Isa 6:2 who cover their faces and feet. It denotes an act of self-effacement in God's glorious presence.
• on this side (וּלְאִ֣ישׁ שְׁתַּ֔יִם... וּלְאִ֖ישׁ שְׁתַּ֔יִם / ul’ish shetayiym... ul’ish shetayiym): This repetitive phrase indicates a pair of wings covering each side. Two wings on one side, and two wings on the other side. This clarifies that four wings total were dedicated to the act of body-covering per creature. This distinct usage implies that if these creatures have six wings (like the Seraphim in Isa 6:2 or the living creatures in Rev 4:8), then two other wings might be reserved for flight or other functions.
• their bodies (אֶת־גְּוִיֹּתֵיהֶֽנָּה / et gviyotehennah): Gviyah generally refers to a "body," sometimes a "corpse." Here, it refers to the physical form of the living creatures. The act of covering their bodies points to a profound humility and reverence in the divine presence, suggesting that even these glorious celestial beings deem their physical forms unworthy or too awe-inspiring for direct viewing by a prophet. It might also conceal the inner, intricate workings of these beings or hint at the profound mystery of their being.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And under the firmament were their wings straight": Establishes the spatial context (below the awe-inspiring firmament) and the precise, ordered posture of the wings. It signals divine discipline and readiness for God's will.
• "the one toward the other": Highlights the perfect synchronization, unity, and harmonious arrangement of the living creatures' wings. Their movements are not independent but coordinated and aligned towards a singular purpose.
• "every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies": This specifies the purpose and distribution of the wings, clarifying that four wings are dedicated to the act of covering the body. This is a deliberate act of humility and reverence in the face of divine holiness, mirroring a respectful, subordinate posture even for exalted heavenly beings. It also signifies the sacredness and awe associated with God's manifest presence.

Ezekiel 1 23 Bonus section

The specific description in this verse, outlining the use of four wings for covering the body (two on each side), strongly suggests a parallel with the Seraphim in Isaiah 6:2, which famously possess six wings: two for covering the face, two for covering the feet, and two for flight. While Ezekiel 1:6 mentions that each creature had four wings, this verse elaborates on how these wings function. It is widely interpreted by scholars that the "four wings" mentioned earlier in Ezekiel refer to those used for general mobility, but this verse clarifies that two pairs of wings (totaling four) were primarily deployed for covering. This reinforces the interpretation that even if the cherubim primarily possess four wings for general use, their posture in divine presence aligns with the reverential "covering" posture seen in Seraphim, whether it means they possess six wings or if all four visible wings are employed for this dual purpose. This act of covering also functions to partially obscure the radiant glory and complex forms of these beings from Ezekiel's full sight, mediating the overwhelming reality of the divine presence to human perception.

Ezekiel 1 23 Commentary

Ezekiel 1:23 provides intricate anatomical details about the cherubic living creatures, focusing on the configuration and function of their wings "under the firmament." The meticulous description of their wings being "straight, the one toward the other" communicates perfect divine order, symmetry, and synchronized readiness within the heavenly court. This precise arrangement is not random but purposeful, indicative of creatures operating in absolute harmony and disciplined obedience to God's will. The phrase also points to their inherent unity as a divine procession.

The second part of the verse, stating that four of their wings (two on each side) were used to "cover their bodies," carries deep theological significance. This act of covering is a powerful symbol of profound reverence, humility, and awe in the immediate presence of the Holy God. Just as Seraphim in Isaiah 6:2 cover their faces and feet out of reverence, these living creatures veil their forms, recognizing the transcendent holiness of the divine glory that rests upon the firmament above them. It implies that even glorious celestial beings must shield themselves, emphasizing God's unimaginable purity and the separation between the Creator and creation, even among His highest servants. This hiding of their forms also suggests a hiddenness of God's full glory and the mystery inherent in His nature, seen only through veiled manifestations. For the exiled Jews, such a meticulously ordered and reverent heavenly scene would powerfully underscore God's unwavering control and holiness, even amidst human chaos and sin.