Ezekiel 10:10 kjv
And as for their appearances, they four had one likeness, as if a wheel had been in the midst of a wheel.
Ezekiel 10:10 nkjv
As for their appearance, all four looked alike?as it were, a wheel in the middle of a wheel.
Ezekiel 10:10 niv
As for their appearance, the four of them looked alike; each was like a wheel intersecting a wheel.
Ezekiel 10:10 esv
And as for their appearance, the four had the same likeness, as if a wheel were within a wheel.
Ezekiel 10:10 nlt
All four wheels looked alike and were made the same; each wheel had a second wheel turning crosswise within it.
Ezekiel 10 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezek 1:15-16 | Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures... The appearance of the wheels... was like the colour of a beryl... as if a wheel in the midst of a wheel. | Initial description of the wheels. |
| Ezek 1:19 | And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up. | Wheels moved in conjunction with the living creatures. |
| Ezek 1:17 | When they went, they went upon their four sides; and they turned not when they went. | Omnidirectional movement without turning. |
| Ezek 1:20-21 | Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went... for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. | Wheels moved by divine Spirit's direction. |
| Dan 7:9 | ...and his garment white as snow... his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. | Similar imagery of God's fiery throne and wheels. |
| Psa 18:10 | And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. | God's use of cherubim for swift movement. |
| Psa 68:17 | The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. | Multiplicity of divine chariots and angels. |
| Hab 3:8 | Was the Lord displeased against the rivers?... was thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation? | God depicted with chariots of power and salvation. |
| Isa 6:1-3 | I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up... above it stood the seraphims... | Throne vision with seraphim, a similar celestial retinue. |
| Rev 4:6 | And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne... four beasts full of eyes... | Throne vision with four living creatures (comparable to cherubim). |
| Rev 5:1 | And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside... | God seated on the throne, indicative of His sovereign rule. |
| Exod 25:18-20 | And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold... and the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings... | Instructions for cherubim on the Ark of the Covenant, showing their connection to God's presence. |
| 1 Chr 28:18 | And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubims, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the Lord. | Mention of a "chariot of the cherubims" in David's temple plans. |
| Psa 104:24 | O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. | Highlights God's intricate and wise creation. |
| Prov 3:19 | The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. | Emphasizes divine wisdom in cosmic design. |
| Rom 11:33 | O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! | Acknowledges the incomprehensible depth of God's ways. |
| Col 2:3 | In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. | Christ as the repository of divine wisdom and knowledge. |
| Eph 4:4-6 | There is one body, and one Spirit... One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all... | Principle of divine unity in the Christian life and Godhead. |
| 1 Cor 12:12 | For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. | Unity amidst diversity, reflecting intricate design. |
| Zech 6:1 | And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains... | Vision of divine chariots (though distinct from Ezekiel's detailed description). |
| Jas 1:17 | Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. | God's unchangeable perfection, reflected in the unchanging direction of the wheels. |
Ezekiel 10 verses
Ezekiel 10 10 Meaning
Ezekiel 10:10 vividly describes the appearance of the wheels accompanying the cherubim, stating they possessed a singular, unified aspect. This unity was further characterized by an intricate "wheel in the midst of a wheel" design. This imagery conveys divine order, intricate design, and a mysterious, perfect functionality that allows for instantaneous, unimpeded movement in any direction, directly following the impulse of the Spirit. It underscores the supernatural nature of God's throne-chariot and the highly synchronized, purposeful operation of His celestial retinue.
Ezekiel 10 10 Context
Ezekiel 10:10 is embedded within the prophet Ezekiel's vision of God's glory departing from the Jerusalem Temple, an event preceding its destruction. This specific verse revisits and elaborates on the intricate mechanics of the cherubim's wheels first described in Ezekiel 1. Chapter 10, a recapitulation of the initial vision, portrays the "chariot-throne" as it prepares to leave the polluted sanctuary, underscoring God's sovereignty even in judgment. The context highlights God's justice, His unyielding holiness, and His ability to move His presence and authority wherever He wills, even with His exiled people in Babylon. The detailed description of the wheels emphasizes the absolute divine control and precise movement of His presence, a terrifying yet glorious display for the prophet witnessing the abandonment of Jerusalem's temple.
Ezekiel 10 10 Word analysis
And their appearance (וּמַרְאֵיהֶם, u-mar'eihém):
- u-: "and," a simple conjunction linking to the previous descriptions of the cherubim and wheels.
- mar'eihém: "their appearance," "their sight," "that which is seen of them." The word emphasizes the visual aspect, how the wheels collectively looked. It refers to the wheels of the cherubim (Ezek 10:9). The term suggests the awe and wonder inspired by their sight, highlighting the supernatural rather than ordinary.
was like one appearance (כְּמַרְאֶה אֶחָד, ke'mar'eh echad):
- ke': "like," "as." A comparative preposition, suggesting similarity or conformity.
- mar'eh: "appearance," as above.
- echad: "one," "unified," "singular." This word is crucial. Despite being four wheels associated with four cherubim, their overall impression was uniform and singular. This implies a perfect unity of design and purpose, devoid of conflict or individuality that would suggest divergence. It points to perfect harmony in divine operations.
as if a wheel (כַּאֲשֶׁר יִהְיֶה אוֹפַן, ka'asher yihyeh 'ofan):
- ka'asher: "as if," "as when," "according as." Another comparative term introducing the specific nature of this unified appearance.
- yihyeh: "it might be," "there is." Expresses existence or condition.
- 'ofan: "wheel." This specific term refers to a rotating disc or circle used for movement. It implies mechanical, yet here, supernatural functionality. The repeated singular form emphasizes the conceptual unit, though multiple physical wheels exist.
in the midst of a wheel (בְּתוֹךְ אוֹפָן, betokh 'ofan):
- betokh: "in the midst of," "within," "inside." This preposition is vital. It describes an intertwined, concentric, or interlocking relationship between the wheels. This is not simply one wheel next to another, but one existing functionally within another.
- 'ofan: "wheel," again emphasizing the components.
Word-Group Analysis:
- "their appearance was like one appearance": This phrase highlights a profound unity and synchronicity. Despite the complexity of multiple cherubim and their corresponding wheels, their collective presentation was of a single, coherent entity. This speaks to the flawless orchestration of God's instruments, suggesting His control brings about perfect harmony.
- "as if a wheel in the midst of a wheel": This describes the specific ingenious structure allowing for omnidirectional movement (as detailed in Ezek 1:17). Scholars often compare it to a gimbal system, allowing movement on multiple axes. It visually communicates absolute maneuverability and perfect responsiveness to the divine Spirit, a core theological point about God's presence and action – unhindered, adaptable, and purposeful. It defies conventional earthly mechanics, emphasizing divine technological superiority and mystery.
Ezekiel 10 10 Bonus section
The highly unusual and complex "wheel in the midst of a wheel" configuration in Ezekiel's vision serves as a profound contrast to all known ancient transportation or machinery. No parallel mechanical device has been found in the archaeological record from that period, suggesting its design is purely supernaturally inspired. This structure symbolically speaks to an ability for omnidirectional and immediate movement, representing divine responsiveness and omnipresence, not limited by earthly constraints like steering. The "one appearance" conveys a seamless integration and synchronized operation, indicating that while divine processes may seem complex to humans, they function with perfect harmony and unity under God's singular purpose. This perfection in movement is ultimately powered by the Spirit, tying the physical manifestation to its spiritual impetus, a constant theme throughout Ezekiel's vision.
Ezekiel 10 10 Commentary
Ezekiel 10:10 encapsulates the profound nature of the divine mobility and order associated with God's throne. The "one appearance" of the wheels underscores perfect unity in God's actions and instruments, highlighting a complete lack of friction or conflicting motion. This points to the singularity of God's purpose and will. The "wheel in the midst of a wheel" signifies a unique, interlocking, and probably concentric design, an engineering marvel that defies natural understanding. This structure enables the wheels, and thus God's glory-throne, to move instantaneously in any direction without ever needing to turn, perfectly responsive to the guiding Spirit (Ezek 1:12, 20). This sophisticated mechanism is not mere visual splendor but a theological statement about God's omnipresence, sovereignty, and direct control over creation and destiny, even in the act of departing His chosen dwelling place. The vision ultimately testifies to an all-powerful, ever-present God whose ways are perfectly coordinated and whose movements are unhindered by any physical or earthly limitations.