Ezekiel 1:4 kjv

And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.

Ezekiel 1:4 nkjv

Then I looked, and behold, a whirlwind was coming out of the north, a great cloud with raging fire engulfing itself; and brightness was all around it and radiating out of its midst like the color of amber, out of the midst of the fire.

Ezekiel 1:4 niv

I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north?an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal,

Ezekiel 1:4 esv

As I looked, behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, and a great cloud, with brightness around it, and fire flashing forth continually, and in the midst of the fire, as it were gleaming metal.

Ezekiel 1:4 nlt

As I looked, I saw a great storm coming from the north, driving before it a huge cloud that flashed with lightning and shone with brilliant light. There was fire inside the cloud, and in the middle of the fire glowed something like gleaming amber.

Ezekiel 1 verses

Ezekiel 1 4 Meaning

Ezekiel 1:4 introduces the prophet's profound first vision, a dramatic unveiling of God's presence. It begins with celestial phenomena that herald the divine: a violent, turbulent wind appearing from the north, accompanied by an immense cloud. From within this cloud, a brilliant fire is described as "infolding itself," shining with an intense, inherent light, surrounded by a radiant brightness. From the core of this internal fire emanates a dazzling, amber-like (or electrum-like) radiance, setting the stage for the revelation of God's glorious chariot-throne and the divine beings that propel it.

Ezekiel 1 4 Context

Ezekiel 1:4 serves as the inaugural scene of Ezekiel's prophetic call and vision, dated to the fifth year of King Jehoiachin's exile (circa 593 BC). Ezekiel, a priest among the Judean exiles by the Chebar River in Babylon, receives this awe-inspiring manifestation of God's presence. At this time, Jerusalem's temple, where God's glory was believed to reside, was partially plundered and facing imminent destruction. Many exiles might have felt God had abandoned them or was confined to their homeland. This vision shatters such limitations, revealing a God who is sovereign, mobile, and actively present even in a foreign land. The dramatic weather elements are common biblical signals for a theophany (divine appearance), preparing the viewer for an encounter with the transcendent yet personal God. The unexpected northern direction of this divine manifestation might subtly challenge common prophetic portrayals of the "north" as a source of judgment or enemies, showing God's unpredictable sovereignty.

Ezekiel 1 4 Word analysis

• And I looked (וָאֵ֣רֶא va'e-re): This opening indicates Ezekiel's active observation and attentiveness, setting the scene for a visual revelation. It emphasizes the direct, firsthand nature of his experience, authenticating the vision that follows.
• behold (וְהִנֵּה֙ ve-hin-neh): An interjection of exclamation, "lo!" or "look!". It arrests attention, highlighting the suddenness, profound significance, and extraordinary nature of what Ezekiel witnesses.
• a whirlwind (ר֥וּחַ סְעָרָ֖ה ruach se'arah): Composed of ruach (wind/spirit/breath) and se'arah (storm/tempest). This signifies a powerful, violent, and turbulent wind, often associated with theophany or divine judgment in the Old Testament, representing God's irresistible power and dynamic presence.
• came out of the north (בָּאָ֖ה מִן־הַצָּפ֑וֹן ba'ah min hatz-tzaphohn): The "north" (צָפ֥וֹן tzaphohn) in prophetic literature (e.g., Jeremiah) often denoted the direction from which enemies or judgment would come upon Israel (like Assyria or Babylon). However, here it marks the unexpected direction from which God's glorious presence appears, transcending geographical boundaries and challenging the expectation that God's presence is limited to Jerusalem. It emphasizes God's omnipresence and universal sovereignty.
• a great cloud (עָנָ֥ן גָּדֹ֛ול anan gadol): A traditional biblical symbol of divine presence (Shekinah glory), majesty, and mystery. The "great" emphasizes the immense scale and awe-inspiring nature of God's manifestation, veiling His direct brilliance while signaling His undeniable arrival.
• and a fire infolding itself (וְאֵ֧שׁ מִתְלַקַּ֛חַת ve'esh mitlakkaḥath):
  • Esh (fire) symbolizes God's holiness, purity, zeal, and consuming nature (Deut 4:24).
  • Mitlakkaḥath (Hithpael participle of l-q-ḥ): means "catching itself," "infolding itself," or "flashing/sparking continually." It implies a self-sustaining, self-generated, active, and vibrant fire that is inherently powerful and dynamic, rather than needing external fuel or being merely destructive. This highlights God's intrinsic divine energy and life.
• and a brightness was about it (וְנֹ֥גַהּ לֹ֖ו סָבִ֑יב ve'nogah lo saviv):
  • Nogah: Brightness, radiance, gleam.
  • Saviv: Around.This describes an encompassing, pervasive divine light that radiates from the cloud and fire, signifying the brilliant glory and transcendent holiness of God's immediate presence. It prepares for the dazzling visuals to follow.
• and out of the midst thereof (וּמִתֹּכָהּ֙ u-mit-tochah): "And from its midst," referring to the composite of cloud, fire, and brightness. This indicates that what follows emerges from the very core of this intense divine phenomenon.
• as the colour of amber (כְּעֵ֣ין הַחַשְׁמַ֔ל ke'en hachashmal):
  • Hashmal: The exact material is debated; often translated as "amber" or "electrum" (an alloy of gold and silver) or even "burnished bronze." Given the context of fire and brilliance, "electrum" (or a brilliant, polished, metallic luster) is a strong scholarly interpretation, suggesting an unearthly, shining, fiery, and precious quality that emits radiant light. This distinct glow further enhances the divine glory.
• out of the midst of the fire (מִתֹּ֖וךְ הָאֵֽשׁ׃ mit-toch ha'esh): A reiteration emphasizing that this shining "amber-like" substance, foreshadowing the divine figure, emerges directly from the very core of the intense, self-generated fire, underscoring its sacred and intrinsically radiant origin.

Ezekiel 1 4 Bonus section

The precise meaning of hashmal as "amber" or "electrum" is significant. While amber is known for its translucent golden-brown glow, electrum, a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver, is noted for its brilliant, polished, silvery-yellow luster, especially when reflecting light. Given the context of fire and radiance, scholars often lean towards an interpretation that conveys metallic sheen or intense, reflected light, indicating divine purity and strength. This aligns with other descriptions of heavenly beings or God's appearance (e.g., Dan 10:6; Rev 1:15) where figures possess burnished bronze or fiery aspects. This intricate and almost technological description, rich in visual detail, distinguishes Ezekiel's visions within prophetic literature, emphasizing the tangible reality of God's presence, despite its transcendent nature. The "fire infolding itself" hints at a being with infinite internal energy, standing in stark contrast to lifeless idols, reinforcing the incomparable nature of the Living God to pagan deities of Babylon. This entire setup emphasizes the immense difference between the glory of the true God and any earthly or man-made representation of a deity.

Ezekiel 1 4 Commentary

Ezekiel 1:4 provides a dramatic, cinematic overture to Ezekiel's complex vision of God's glory. The sequence of whirlwind, cloud, and fire represents common biblical elements of theophany, signaling a direct and powerful encounter with the divine. The whirlwind conveys dynamic power and irresistible force. The great cloud symbolizes majesty and mystery, often serving as the visible shroud of God's otherwise unapproachable glory. The "self-infolding fire" indicates not merely destructive energy, but an intrinsic, self-generating divine essence, full of vibrant life and unblemished holiness. This fire is not dependent on external fuel but burns from within. The radiant brightness and the brilliant, electrum-like appearance emerging from the fire's core emphasize the pure, unearthly, and dazzling nature of God's manifest presence. That this manifestation originates from "the north" is a crucial detail for the exiles, asserting God's sovereignty extends beyond the geographical confines of Jerusalem and His presence can manifest unexpectedly even amidst foreign lands, providing validation and hope to a dispirited people far from home. This powerful imagery establishes God's omnipresence and omnipotence, setting a tone of awe and validating Ezekiel's prophetic call for those in exile.