Ezekiel 10:11 kjv
When they went, they went upon their four sides; they turned not as they went, but to the place whither the head looked they followed it; they turned not as they went.
Ezekiel 10:11 nkjv
When they went, they went toward any of their four directions; they did not turn aside when they went, but followed in the direction the head was facing. They did not turn aside when they went.
Ezekiel 10:11 niv
As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the cherubim faced; the wheels did not turn about as the cherubim went. The cherubim went in whatever direction the head faced, without turning as they went.
Ezekiel 10:11 esv
When they went, they went in any of their four directions without turning as they went, but in whatever direction the front wheel faced, the others followed without turning as they went.
Ezekiel 10:11 nlt
The cherubim could move in any of the four directions they faced, without turning as they moved. They went straight in the direction they faced, never turning aside.
Ezekiel 10 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eze 1:9 | Their wings were joined... and they went, each straight forward. | Parallel movement of living creatures |
| Eze 1:12 | Each went straight forward; wherever the spirit would go, they went... | Direct movement guided by the Spirit |
| Eze 1:17 | When they went, they went on their four sides... they turned not... | Identical description of wheel movement |
| Eze 10:17 | For the spirit of the living creature was in them. | Spirit guides both creatures and wheels |
| Num 9:17 | As soon as the cloud lifted... Israel would set out; and in the place where the cloud settled... | God's direct guidance for Israel's movement |
| Exod 13:21 | And the LORD went before them by day... and by night... | God Himself guiding His people directly |
| Ps 103:20 | Bless the LORD, O you his angels... who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! | Angels' prompt obedience to divine commands |
| Heb 1:7 | He makes his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. | Angels as active agents of God's will |
| Rev 4:6 | And round the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes... | Echoes cherubim description in New Testament |
| Prov 4:25 | Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. | Wisdom guiding human straightforwardness |
| Ps 119:35 | Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. | Desire for direct divine guidance |
| Is 30:21 | Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it..." | Divine guidance on the right path |
| Rom 8:14 | For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. | Believers are led directly by the Spirit |
| Gal 5:18 | But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. | Spirit's leading removes burden and guides rightly |
| John 3:8 | The wind blows where it wishes... So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. | Spirit's unhindered, sovereign movement |
| 2 Pet 1:21 | ...men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. | Prophets' direct divine inspiration |
| Phil 3:13 | ...one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead... | Christian pursuit of singular divine goal |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. | God's nature is orderly, direct, and purposeful |
| Ps 139:7 | Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? | God's omnipresence in all directions |
| Zech 6:1-5 | Four chariots came out... from between two mountains of bronze... and their horses. | Divine chariots moving out to the earth |
Ezekiel 10 verses
Ezekiel 10 11 Meaning
Ezekiel 10:11 describes the distinct movement of the cherubim and their associated wheels within Ezekiel's vision. The verse highlights their extraordinary ability to advance in any of their four directions without turning or rotating, indicating immediate and unified motion, completely unhindered and responsive to a singular guiding principle. This symbolizes divine efficiency, supernatural agency, and unswerving obedience to God's perfect will.
Ezekiel 10 11 Context
Ezekiel 10:11 is an integral part of Ezekiel's vision of God's glory departing the Temple in Jerusalem. This chapter details the execution of judgment upon the city, and the description of the cherubim (identical to the living creatures in Chapter 1) emphasizes the unstoppable, deliberate, and awe-inspiring nature of God's operations. The movement of the divine chariot-throne, carried by the cherubim and their accompanying wheels, signifies the method and power by which God's presence, along with His judgment, moves and enacts His will. It underscores the precision and effectiveness of divine sovereignty amidst the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent promise of future restoration.
Ezekiel 10 11 Word analysis
- When they went (וּבְלֶכְתָּם - u-velekhtam): A construction meaning "and in their going." This emphasizes the continuous, active movement of the cherubim and wheels. From the Hebrew root הָלַךְ (halak), "to go," denoting purposeful action.
- they went on their four sides (עַל־אַרְבַּע צִדֵּיהֶם יֵלֵכוּ - al-'arba' tsiddeihem yelekhu):
- four (אַרְבַּע - 'arba'): Signifies comprehensiveness and orientation towards all cardinal directions. The creatures had four faces (Eze 1:6) and wings, signifying their full capacity.
- sides (צִדֵּיהֶם - tsiddeihem): From the noun צַד (tsad), "side, flank." It refers to their ability to advance in any direction where their faces or "sides" were oriented, unlike human-built chariots that require a single front. This demonstrates a supernatural ability to perceive and move in all primary directions simultaneously or interchangeably.
- they turned not as they went (לֹא יִסַּבּוּ בְּלֶכְתָּם - lo yissabbu velekh'tam):
- turned not (לֹא יִסַּבּוּ - lo yissabbu): From the verb סָבַב (sabav), "to turn, to go around." This explicitly negates any need for rotation or reorientation. Their movement is direct and linear, regardless of the desired new heading. This highlights unhindered progress, immediate obedience, and divine efficiency.
- but to the place the head looked, they followed it (כִּמְקוֹם אֲשֶׁר יִפְנֶה הָרֹאשׁ הָלָכוּ אַחֲרָיו - kimqom 'asher yifneh harosh halakhu 'acharayw):
- head (הָרֹאשׁ - harosh): Here, referring not to a literal physical head but the leading "front" or general direction dictated by the guiding force, which is the "spirit of the living creatures" (Eze 1:20-21; 10:17). This indicates that their movement is not arbitrary but divinely directed.
- followed it (הָלָכוּ אַחֲרָיו - halakhu 'acharayw): Signifies their perfect and immediate alignment with the chosen direction. There is no delay or hesitation in their obedience.
- they turned not as they went (לֹא יִסַּבּוּ בְּלֶכְתָּם - lo yissabbu velekh'tam): The repetition of this phrase serves as a powerful emphasis. It reiterates the unique, unswerving nature of their movement, reinforcing that this is not normal, mechanical motion, but a direct and singular execution of purpose, devoid of any inefficiency or deviation. It sets them apart as beings fully imbued with and directed by divine power.
Ezekiel 10 11 Bonus section
The seamless, omni-directional movement of the cherubim and wheels profoundly illustrates the concept of divine presence and operation. Unlike human-designed conveyances requiring reorientation, these celestial beings represent unhindered, instantaneous responsiveness to the Spirit's leading. This capability links directly to God's omnipresence; He is not confined by space or direction, and His will can be executed everywhere simultaneously without hindrance. The description also highlights a characteristic of beings serving in God's immediate presence – perfect conformity and directness in fulfilling their assigned functions.
Ezekiel 10 11 Commentary
Ezekiel 10:11 elaborates on the miraculous movement of the cherubim and their interconnected wheels, first introduced in Ezekiel chapter 1. Their ability to move in any of their four directions without physically turning demonstrates perfect efficiency and immediate obedience to a higher command. This supernatural locomotion signifies that God's will is executed with absolute precision, without hesitation or reorientation. The cherubim, acting as the divine chariot-bearers, embody direct divine purpose, reflecting the unstoppable and perfectly ordered nature of God's plans, whether for judgment or restoration. Their unswerving motion serves as a powerful visual of God's omnipotence and control, transcending natural laws and human limitations. This principle applies to the believer as well, being led by the Spirit on a straightforward path of obedience to God's will.