Ezekiel 10 21

Ezekiel 10:21 kjv

Every one had four faces apiece, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings.

Ezekiel 10:21 nkjv

Each one had four faces and each one four wings, and the likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings.

Ezekiel 10:21 niv

Each had four faces and four wings, and under their wings was what looked like human hands.

Ezekiel 10:21 esv

Each had four faces, and each four wings, and underneath their wings the likeness of human hands.

Ezekiel 10:21 nlt

for each had four faces and four wings and what looked like human hands under their wings.

Ezekiel 10 verses

Ezekiel 10 21 Meaning

Ezekiel 10:21 describes the detailed physical attributes of the cherubim, the living creatures bearing God's throne. Each cherub possessed four distinct faces, signifying universal dominion and comprehensive knowledge, and four wings, indicating swiftness and widespread action. Crucially, beneath their wings, they had "the likeness of the hands of a man," denoting intelligent capacity for work, purpose, and precise execution of divine will, hidden within their power and movement.

Ezekiel 10 21 Context

Ezekiel 10:21 is part of a prophetic vision where the prophet Ezekiel, an Israelite exile in Babylon, sees the glory of the Lord departing from the Jerusalem Temple. This chapter is a recapitulation and further clarification of the initial vision described in Ezekiel chapter 1. While Ezekiel 1 describes the "living creatures" without explicitly naming them cherubim, Ezekiel 10 identifies them directly (Ez 10:15, 20). The vision serves to explain God's judgment on Israel through the Babylonian exile due to their idolatry and unfaithfulness. The elaborate and magnificent description of the cherubim bearing the divine throne emphasizes the awesome majesty, holiness, and sovereignty of God, whose presence is tied not to the physical temple but to His own glory and moral righteousness. The departure of God's glory from the temple signified the temple's imminent destruction and God's rejection of the unholy worship conducted within it.

Ezekiel 10 21 Word analysis

• Each (אִישׁ, 'ish): This word, meaning "man" or "each one," emphasizes the distinct completeness and uniformity of every single cherub. It underlines that these complex features apply to every creature individually, highlighting their perfect replication and identical function.
• had (לָהֶם, lahem): Translates as "to them" or "belonging to them," indicating possession of the specified attributes.
• four (אַרְבַּע, 'arba'): The number four often symbolizes universality, completeness, or the four directions of the earth. In this context, it speaks to the comprehensive scope of these creatures' abilities and their role in a cosmos ruled by God.
• faces (פָּנִים, panim): These are not mere visual features but symbolize aspects of character, understanding, and outlook. As detailed in Ezekiel 1:10 (man, lion, ox, eagle), they signify intelligence, leadership, strength, service, and sovereign insight – representing all powerful and wise aspects of created life, all under God's dominion. Polemically, while surrounding cultures worshipped multi-faceted deities, these cherubim possess multiple facets yet point to the one true God, demonstrating His complete authority over all aspects of creation, unlike local idols.
• apiece (אִישׁ, 'ish): Again, reiterates that each cherub individually possessed all these attributes, emphasizing their identical perfection.
• four wings (וְאַרְבַּע כְּנָפַיִם, we'arba' kenafayim): kenafayim refers to wings. Four wings suggest swiftness, power, and readiness for action across all directions. Two wings are often seen as covering the body (Ez 1:23) in reverence, while the other two are for flight, symbolizing both holy protection/modesty and rapid movement. They denote the divine messengers' omnipresence and the immediacy with which God's will can be executed.
• apiece (אִישׁ, 'ish): Confirms individual possession of four wings.
• and the likeness of the hands of a man (וּדְמוּת יְדֵי אָדָם, udemut y'dey 'adam):
  • udemut (likeness/resemblance): Significant; it indicates a resemblance, not an exact replica. This preserves their heavenly, distinct nature, preventing literal human interpretation while emphasizing a relatable function.
  • y'dey 'adam (hands of a man): Hands are symbols of activity, work, power, dexterity, skill, and the capacity to carry out complex tasks. "Of a man" specifically implies intelligent, purposeful, and deliberate action, rather than crude or instinctual force. These beings are not mindless drones but execute God's plan with intelligent capability.
• was under (תַּחַת, tachat): Means "under" or "beneath." This placement suggests the hands are integral to their function but might be hidden or employed with discretion, revealed as needed for specific tasks. It could also imply their work is supported or concealed by their power and mobility (symbolized by wings).
• their wings (כַּנְפֵיהֶם, kanfeyhem): Specifies that these hands were specifically found under the cherubim's wings. This connection reinforces the idea that their capacity for intelligent action (hands) is intrinsically linked to their power and movement (wings), serving the overarching divine purpose.

Ezekiel 10 21 Bonus section

• Recap and Clarification: Ezekiel 10 functions partly as a recap and clarification of the initial vision in chapter 1. The repeated, detailed description emphasizes the reality and precise nature of these beings for Ezekiel and the exiles, identifying them definitively as cherubim and not just "living creatures."
• Theophany Components: The intricate description of the cherubim is a crucial component of the entire theophany, enhancing the manifestation of God's presence as majestic, holy, and transcendent. This detail reinforces the divine reality behind Ezekiel's encounter.
• Counter-Cultural Imagery: In a pagan environment rich with idol worship (often animal-headed figures or syncretic forms), Ezekiel's vision offers a powerful counter-narrative. These multi-faceted creatures serve as created beings under the one true God, unlike the static idols with specific animalistic attributes often worshipped as gods themselves.
• Hidden Capacity: The "hands... under their wings" might suggest that while powerful and majestic, some aspects of the cherubim's executive functions are not overtly displayed but are intrinsic to their hidden power and operational capacity, waiting to be unleashed according to God's command.

Ezekiel 10 21 Commentary

Ezekiel 10:21 presents a deeply symbolic description of the cherubim, highlighting their designed perfection for divine service. Their four faces speak to comprehensive understanding and universal reach, representing God's dominion over all creation. The four wings convey both incredible swiftness and reverent humility, underscoring their readiness to execute divine decrees and protect the divine glory. The "likeness of the hands of a man" beneath their wings signifies intelligent, deliberate, and effective action in fulfilling God's will. These beings are not passive but are fully equipped, capable agents in the celestial administration, powerfully mediating God's majestic presence and carrying out His precise judgments.