Ezekiel 1:27 kjv
And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.
Ezekiel 1:27 nkjv
Also from the appearance of His waist and upward I saw, as it were, the color of amber with the appearance of fire all around within it; and from the appearance of His waist and downward I saw, as it were, the appearance of fire with brightness all around.
Ezekiel 1:27 niv
I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him.
Ezekiel 1:27 esv
And upward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were gleaming metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed all around. And downward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him.
Ezekiel 1:27 nlt
From what appeared to be his waist up, he looked like gleaming amber, flickering like a fire. And from his waist down, he looked like a burning flame, shining with splendor.
Ezekiel 1 27 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 3:2 | And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush... | God appears in fire, signifying holiness. |
| Ex 24:17 | And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount... | The glory of God likened to consuming fire. |
| Deut 4:24 | For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God. | God's nature as fire. |
| Deut 5:24 | And ye said, Behold, the LORD our God hath shewed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire... | God's glory manifesting through fire at Sinai. |
| Isa 6:1 | I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. | Vision of God on a throne. |
| Isa 33:14 | Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? | Rhetorical question about dwelling with God's consuming fire. |
| Dan 7:9 | I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. | Daniel's vision of the Ancient of Days with fiery aspects. |
| Heb 12:29 | For our God is a consuming fire. | Reiteration of God as consuming fire in NT. |
| Rev 1:14-15 | His head and his hairs were white like wool...and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace... | Description of the glorified Christ with fiery elements. |
| Rev 4:2-3 | And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne...and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. | John's vision of God on a throne, with precious stone-like glory. |
| Rev 10:1 | And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: | Description of an angel with fiery feet and sun-like face. |
| Rev 21:11 | Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; | The glory of God likened to precious stones, luminous. |
| Ps 97:2-6 | Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne: a fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about...The earth saw, and trembled. | God's throne shrouded in clouds, fire precedes Him. |
| Job 37:22 | Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty. | Emphasizes God's majesty and awe-inspiring nature. |
| Ps 104:2 | Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain... | God clothed with light. |
| 1 Tim 6:16 | Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. | God dwells in unapproachable light. |
| Matt 17:2 | And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. | Christ's transfiguration revealing his divine glory. |
| Phil 3:21 | Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. | Our bodies transformed into a glorious state, reflecting Christ's glory. |
| Ezek 8:2 | Then I beheld, and lo a likeness as the appearance of fire: from the appearance of his loins even downward, fire; and from his loins even upward, as the appearance of brightness... | Another vision of fire and brightness from the loins, mirroring chapter 1. |
| Ezek 10:4 | Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD'S glory. | God's glory departing the Temple, filled with brightness. |
| Ex 19:18 | And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire... | God's descent upon Sinai with fire and smoke. |
Ezekiel 1 verses
Ezekiel 1 27 Meaning
Ezekiel 1:27 describes the awesome and transcendent appearance of the divine figure seated above the chariot-throne in Ezekiel's vision. It emphasizes the intense, blinding glory of God, seen as an unearthly radiance, like "amber" or glowing metal, infused with fire and brightness. The description of light emanating from the figure's "loins" upward and downward signifies that the entire being is composed of pure, dazzling light and fire, demonstrating the comprehensive and consuming nature of God's holiness and majesty.
Ezekiel 1 27 Context
Ezekiel 1:27 is part of a grand and complex vision given to the prophet Ezekiel by the Chebar River in Babylon, during the fifth year of his exile (around 593 BC). This initial vision serves as Ezekiel's prophetic call and commission. Chapters 1-3 describe the elaborate scene: four living creatures (cherubim) with multiple wings and faces, accompanied by a complex arrangement of wheels within wheels, symbolizing omnipresence and divine movement. Above these creatures and wheels is an expanse, like a firmament of dazzling crystal (v. 22). It is above this expanse that Ezekiel sees the "likeness of a throne" (v. 26), and seated upon it is the magnificent figure described in verse 27. The historical context is that Judah has fallen to Babylon, Jerusalem is under siege, and the people are questioning God's presence and power now that they are exiled and the Temple is threatened. This vision profoundly asserts God's transcendent glory and His ability to appear and operate even in foreign lands, demonstrating His sovereignty despite Israel's desolation and validating Ezekiel's prophetic authority among the exiles.
Ezekiel 1 27 Word analysis
- And I saw: Ezekiel's firsthand account, emphasizing the visual nature of the divine revelation. His perception, though limited, is guided by divine illumination.
- as the color of amber / כְּעֵין הַחַשְׁמַל (kə'ên haḥašmal): The Hebrew word "ḥašmal" is rare and debated, found only here and in Ezek 1:4 and 8:2. It often refers to a highly polished, glowing metal, possibly "electrum" (an alloy of gold and silver) known for its brilliant, shifting reflections. It implies something not fully definable by human terms, extremely bright, dazzling, and almost alive with inner light. Its mysterious nature highlights the indescribability of God's glory.
- as the appearance of fire / כְּמַרְאֵה אֵשׁ (kəmar'ēh 'ēš): The ubiquitous biblical symbol of divine presence, holiness, purity, and consuming power (Deut 4:24; Heb 12:29). This fire is not destructive to the figure, but a part of His very essence, radiating intense holiness. The repeated use of "as the appearance of" underscores the limitations of human language and Ezekiel's awe; he sees a likeness, not a direct form.
- round about within it: Implies the fire and glowing metal surround and permeate the figure from all sides, suggesting a total radiance and inner luminosity. It's not just a surface, but a fundamental characteristic.
- from the appearance of his loins / מִמַּרְאֵה מָתְנָיו (mimmar'ēh motnaw): "Loins" (Hebrew: motnayim) refers to the waist or hip area, often symbolic of strength or the origin of a person. Here, it marks a pivotal dividing point. This signifies that the entire being is bathed in glory, originating from the very core of this divine figure.
- even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward: This structure highlights the pervasive and total nature of the fire and brightness. The entire form, from top to bottom, emanates this intense, unapproachable light, making it difficult for Ezekiel to distinguish specific features beyond pure glory.
- I saw as it were the appearance of fire: Repetition reinforces the dominant fiery nature and the difficulty in grasping the full manifestation. It underscores that God's presence is powerfully expressed through light and heat.
- and it had brightness round about / וְנֹגַהּ לוֹ סָבִיב (vənōgaḥ lō sāvîv): "Nogah" means radiance, splendor, or shining light. This re-emphasizes the intense glow surrounding the entire figure, which serves as a powerful halo or aura, indicative of divine glory and unapproachable holiness (1 Tim 6:16).
Ezekiel 1 27 Bonus section
The description of "chashmal" and fire evokes the concept of divine Kabod (Hebrew for glory), which in the Old Testament often involves tangible, visual manifestations of God's presence, frequently with fiery and luminous elements (Ex 24:17). The vision's emphasis on overwhelming light, rather than detailed features, suggests that God's glory is fundamentally about an intense manifestation of His very nature that human beings can only perceive in a generalized, radiant form, without being consumed. The use of multiple similes and the repetition of "appearance" reflects a common theme in prophetic literature where prophets struggle to articulate extraordinary divine encounters using ordinary human language. This suggests the experience was beyond verbalization, forcing the prophet to rely on analogy and metaphor to convey the awe and mystery. The absence of specific human-like features, beyond the suggestion of a "man" on the throne, highlights the infinite distinction between the Creator and created.
Ezekiel 1 27 Commentary
Ezekiel 1:27 offers a culminating description of the divine being on the throne, seen in its core essence: a being of pure, unapproachable glory, manifested through "chashmal" (a glowing, undefinable metal or brilliant essence) and pervasive fire. The detailed mention of light emanating from the "loins" upwards and downwards signifies a complete saturation of divine essence, emphasizing that this glory is not superficial but fundamental to the very core of the divine person. This overwhelming display of light and fire transcends human form, presenting God as supremely glorious and holy, an uncreated Light from whom all creation stems. The inability to fully describe the figure underscores divine transcendence, pushing human language to its limits. This vision serves to convey the immense power, sovereignty, and holiness of the LORD, comforting exiles by showing His presence extends beyond the destroyed Temple in Jerusalem and affirming His absolute reign over all creation and circumstances.