Ezekiel 10:12 kjv
And their whole body, and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes round about, even the wheels that they four had.
Ezekiel 10:12 nkjv
And their whole body, with their back, their hands, their wings, and the wheels that the four had, were full of eyes all around.
Ezekiel 10:12 niv
Their entire bodies, including their backs, their hands and their wings, were completely full of eyes, as were their four wheels.
Ezekiel 10:12 esv
And their whole body, their rims, and their spokes, their wings, and the wheels were full of eyes all around ? the wheels that the four of them had.
Ezekiel 10:12 nlt
Both the cherubim and the wheels were covered with eyes. The cherubim had eyes all over their bodies, including their hands, their backs, and their wings.
Ezekiel 10 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rev 4:6 | before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And... four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind. | Heavenly beings around God's throne are filled with eyes. |
| Rev 4:8 | And the four living creatures, each of them having six wings, were full of eyes around and within... | Confirms living creatures around God's throne have abundant eyes. |
| Eze 1:18 | Their rims were tall and awesome, and all four of them had rims full of eyes all around. | The initial vision in Ch 1 already described eyes on the wheels' rims. |
| 1 Kin 6:23 | In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim of olive wood, each ten cubits high. | Cherubim guard the most sacred space, the Holy of Holies. |
| Ps 18:10 | He rode on a cherub and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind. | God's divine mobility and transport by cherubim. |
| Ps 33:18-19 | Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love... | The Lord's watchful and caring eye on His people. |
| Ps 139:7-12 | Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there... | God's omnipresence, which necessitates His all-seeing nature. |
| Prov 15:3 | The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. | Explicit statement of God's universal, constant surveillance. |
| Job 34:21 | For his eyes are on the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps. | God's meticulous observation of individual human conduct. |
| 2 Chr 16:9 | For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him... | God's active, discerning search for faithfulness. |
| Zec 4:10 | For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. "These seven are the eyes of the LORD, which range through the whole earth." | Symbolism of seven eyes as divine omniscience/messengers over earth. |
| Dan 7:9 | As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. | God's throne vision including powerful, fiery wheels. |
| Is 66:1 | Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest?" | Describes the vast, cosmic nature of God's celestial throne. |
| Heb 4:13 | And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. | Absolute clarity of God's vision; nothing concealed. |
| Gen 3:24 | He drove out the man, and at the east of the Garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. | Cherubim as guardians of sacred access and holiness. |
| Exo 25:18-20 | You shall make two cherubim of gold... The cherubim shall spread out their wings above... | Cherubim imagery associated with the Ark of the Covenant, God's dwelling. |
| Eze 1:16 | Their appearance and their structure were as if one wheel were within another wheel. | Describes the intricate and functional design of the wheels, signifying complexity. |
| Eze 9:3 | Now the glory of the God of Israel had gone up from the cherub on which it rested to the threshold of the house, and he called to the man clothed in linen... | The beginning of God's glory departing from the temple, setting the context for Ch 10. |
| Eze 11:22-23 | Then the cherubim lifted up their wings... and the glory of the God of Israel was above them. And the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city... | The continued, visual account of God's glory departing from Jerusalem. |
| Ps 115:5 | They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see; ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. | Polemic against lifeless idols, which cannot perceive, contrasting with God's omniscient creatures. |
| Jer 23:24 | Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? | Emphasizes God's inescapable, all-seeing and omnipresent nature. |
| Am 9:8 | Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD are on the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from the face of the earth; but I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob," declares the LORD. | God's eyes observing wickedness and bringing judgment, while maintaining promise. |
| Rev 5:6 | And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. | Christ depicted with seven eyes, representing the fullness of the Holy Spirit's knowledge and insight. |
Ezekiel 10 verses
Ezekiel 10 12 Meaning
Ezekiel 10:12 provides a detailed, awe-inspiring description of the cherubim and their accompanying wheels within the divine chariot-throne vision. It states that "their whole body, and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes round about, even the wheels that they four had." This vivid imagery profoundly emphasizes the all-encompassing awareness, perfect vigilance, and comprehensive omniscience of God's glorious presence. The countless eyes covering every aspect of His immediate attendants symbolize that nothing escapes divine notice, revealing a God of perfect knowledge who sees and knows all things without limitation.
Ezekiel 10 12 Context
Ezekiel 10:12 appears within a profound prophetic vision received by Ezekiel while exiled in Babylon, specifically during the period preceding the final destruction of Jerusalem and its temple. This chapter directly elaborates on the divine "chariot-throne" vision first presented in Chapter 1, clarifying that the "living creatures" seen there are cherubim (Ezek 10:20). The larger context of Ezekiel 9-11 details the harrowing departure of God's glory (kabod Yahweh) from the temple due to the extreme idolatry and sin within Jerusalem. Chapter 10 describes the components of the glory's movement, including the cherubim and their complex, interlocking wheels (Ophannim). The verse underscores the terrifying holiness and all-perceiving nature of the God whose presence is now abandoning a rebellious city to judgment, emphasizing that God's actions are undertaken with full knowledge of all earthly affairs.
Ezekiel 10 12 Word analysis
- And their whole body (וְכָל-בְּשָׂרָם, və·ḵāl-bə·śā·rām):
- וְכָל (və·ḵāl): "And all, and whole." The conjunctive "and" connects this detail to previously mentioned aspects of the cherubim. "Whole" (כָל, kāl) underscores the complete, comprehensive nature of the coverage.
- בְּשָׂרָם (bə·śā·rām): "Their flesh, their body." Basar (בָּשָׂר) denotes the physical form, the entire living organism. Significance: This emphasizes that the entirety of the cherubim's being is imbued with perceptive qualities.
- and their backs (וְגַבֹּתָם, və·ḡab·bō·ṯām):
- גַבֹּתָם (gabbōṯām): "Their backs." A specific anatomical detail that highlights universal coverage. Significance: This detail implies that there are no blind spots; even areas not directly visible to the creatures themselves are covered, representing total surveillance.
- and their hands (וִידֵיהֶם, vî·ḏê·hem):
- יְדֵיהֶם (yəḏêhem): "Their hands." Reveals the anthropomorphic elements of the cherubim. Significance: Hands are instruments of action; their presence here implies that even their capabilities for activity are fully informed by divine insight.
- and their wings (וְכַנְפֵיהֶם, və·ḵan·p̄ê·hem):
- כַנְפֵיהֶם (kanp̄êhem): "Their wings." A key feature of cherubim, symbolizing mobility, speed, and divine action. Significance: The very means of their movement and communication are integrated with their perceptive faculty.
- and the wheels (וְהָאוֹפַנִּים, və·hā·’ō·wp̄an·nîm):
- הָאוֹפַנִּים (hāʾōwp̄annîm): "The wheels." These are the dynamic, intricately connected wheels, often called Ophannim. They form a critical component of God's mobile throne. Significance: Including the wheels suggests that even the mechanical/structural elements associated with God's presence are agents of divine awareness and purpose.
- were full of eyes (מָלְאִוּ עֵינַיִם, māləʾû ʿê·na·yim):
- מָלְאִוּ (māləʾû): "They were full." Derived from mālē (מָלֵא), indicating an overflowing abundance, not just a few eyes.
- עֵינַיִם (ʿê·na·yim): "Eyes" (plural). The central symbol. Significance: The multitude of eyes represents exhaustive, perfect, and all-encompassing perception; complete vigilance and absolute omniscience. It communicates God's capacity to see and know everything, everywhere, constantly.
- round about (סָבִיב, sā·ḇîḇ):
- סָבִיב (sāḇîḇ): "Around, all around, on all sides." This adverb further qualifies "full of eyes." Significance: It emphasizes a panoramic, unobstructed view in every direction, reinforcing the idea of total, boundless observation.
- even the wheels that they four had (לְאַרְבַּעְתָּם אֹופַנֵּיהֶם, lə·ʾar·baʿ·tām ʾō·wp̄an·nê·hem):
- לְאַרְבַּעְתָּם (lə·ʾar·baʿ·tām): "For their four," explicitly linking the wheels to the four cherubim.
- אֹופַנֵּיהֶם (ʾō·wp̄an·nê·hem): "Their wheels." This phrase re-emphasizes the ownership and specific connection of these eye-filled wheels to the cherubim mentioned, solidifying the unity of the entire divine entourage. Significance: It ensures that no ambiguity remains; the eyes described are directly associated with this specific powerful, mobile throne unit, all components partaking in God's knowing.
Ezekiel 10 12 Bonus section
The "full of eyes" imagery serves as a potent theological counterpoint (polemic) to the lifeless idols worshiped by Israel and surrounding nations. While pagan idols were frequently described as having eyes yet unable to see (Ps 115:5), ears but unable to hear, and mouths but unable to speak, the cherubim, as God's servants, are endowed with an overwhelming abundance of functional eyes, mirroring their Creator's perfect perception. This stark contrast powerfully underscores Yahweh's living, active, and all-knowing nature against the impotent, dead gods of idolatry. This also contributed to the terrifying and fearful aspect of God's glory for a people accustomed to tangible, visible deities. The intricate complexity and overwhelming details, particularly of the wheels ("wheel within a wheel"), convey an organized yet dynamically fluid movement of God's presence, signifying both order and freedom.
Ezekiel 10 12 Commentary
Ezekiel 10:12 encapsulates the profound divine attribute of omniscience, presenting it through a terrifying yet majestic visual. The pervasive presence of eyes across the cherubim and their complex wheels signifies a God who is entirely aware of all reality—past, present, and future. In a context of impending divine judgment and the departure of God's glory from His people due to their pervasive sin, this imagery is crucial. It reassures Ezekiel that God's actions are not arbitrary or blind, but proceed from perfect knowledge and understanding of Judah's spiritual state and the wickedness unfolding. The "fullness of eyes" suggests an intense, unceasing vigilance that pierces all darkness and secrets, rendering all things "naked and exposed" before Him (Heb 4:13). This comprehensive insight is the foundation for His just governance, merciful patience, and righteous judgment. The detailed, overwhelming nature of this vision evokes reverence and awe for the unapproachable holiness and unlimited understanding of God.