Ezekiel 10:9 kjv
And when I looked, behold the four wheels by the cherubims, one wheel by one cherub, and another wheel by another cherub: and the appearance of the wheels was as the colour of a beryl stone.
Ezekiel 10:9 nkjv
And when I looked, there were four wheels by the cherubim, one wheel by one cherub and another wheel by each other cherub; the wheels appeared to have the color of a beryl stone.
Ezekiel 10:9 niv
I looked, and I saw beside the cherubim four wheels, one beside each of the cherubim; the wheels sparkled like topaz.
Ezekiel 10:9 esv
And I looked, and behold, there were four wheels beside the cherubim, one beside each cherub, and the appearance of the wheels was like sparkling beryl.
Ezekiel 10:9 nlt
I looked, and each of the four cherubim had a wheel beside him, and the wheels sparkled like beryl.
Ezekiel 10 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 1:15 | Now as I looked at the living creatures, I saw one wheel upon the earth | God's mobility, linked to living creatures |
| Ezekiel 1:16 | Their appearance and structure were like unto the appearance of a wheel within a wheel | The complex and divine nature of the wheels |
| Ezekiel 1:17 | When they moved, they moved in any of the four directions | Cherubim's universal movement capability |
| Ezekiel 1:18 | As for their rims, they were full of eyes, all around | Everywhere seeing, God's omniscience |
| Ezekiel 1:20 | Wherever the Spirit went, they went, in so were lifted up | Dependency on the Spirit for movement |
| Ezekiel 3:12 | Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me the sound of great rumbling | The Spirit's role in prophetic movement and revelation |
| Ezekiel 9:3 | And the glory of the God of Israel went up from the cherub on which it had been | The departure of God's glory, foreshadowing judgment |
| Isaiah 6:2 | Seraphim flew above him, each having six wings…with two he covered his face | Descriptions of heavenly beings' worship and awe |
| Revelation 4:6 | And before the throne was a sea of glass, like crystal, and in the midst of the throne and around the throne were four living creatures, full of eyes. | Similar imagery of divine beings in heavenly vision |
| Revelation 4:8 | Day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.” | Continuous praise of God by heavenly beings |
| Daniel 4:17 | the matter is by the decree of the watchers, and by the sentence of the holy ones, in order that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men. | God's sovereign rule over earthly kingdoms |
| Psalm 93:1 | The Lord reigns; he is robed with majesty. | God's supreme reign and majesty |
| Psalm 104:1 | Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty. | Thanksgiving for God's glorious reign |
| 2 Kings 19:15 | Hezekiah prayed before the Lord and said… | Prayer reflecting reliance on God's power |
| 1 Chronicles 28:18 | and for the carrying of the cherubim of the ark of the covenant of the Lord. | Cherubim associated with the Ark of God |
| Psalm 29:5 | The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon. | God's powerful voice and action |
| Isaiah 37:16 | O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. | God's position enthroned on cherubim |
| Jeremiah 17:1 | “The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron; with a point of diamond it is engraved. It is inscribed on the table of their hearts. | The depth of human sinfulness, contrasted with God's stability |
| John 1:1 | In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. | The divine nature and eternal presence of God |
| Romans 1:20 | For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. | God's power and nature revealed in creation |
Ezekiel 10 verses
Ezekiel 10 9 Meaning
This verse describes the appearance and action of the cherubim, specifically detailing the wheels beneath them. It emphasizes their readiness to move, carrying the divine presence and power, demonstrating God's active sovereignty and judgment. The intricate descriptions highlight the transcendent and multifaceted nature of God's glory.
Ezekiel 10 9 Context
This verse is part of Ezekiel's inaugural vision, received while he was in exile among the Babylonians. The chapter vividly describes a divine encounter with a tempestuous cloud, lightning, fire, and four living creatures with faces and wings, each accompanied by a wheel. These are precursors to Ezekiel's prophetic ministry, conveying the awesome presence of God who is not confined to Jerusalem. The vision occurs as God's glory was departing from Jerusalem due to the nation's sin and apostasy, signaling judgment.
Ezekiel 10 9 Word Analysis
- וּבְאֵרֹת (u'vë'e’ro’th) - "and wheels." This plural Hebrew word signifies not just one wheel, but the intricate, interconnected system of wheels observed by Ezekiel.
- מִמֹּתָיו (mi'motav) - "from their sides." Refers to the extremities or borders of the cherubim, indicating the placement of the wheels relative to these heavenly beings.
- נֶאֱחָזוֹת (ne’e’chazo’th) - "were joined" or "were connected." This passive verb form suggests a deliberate and complete interlocking or apprehension, highlighting the seamless union between the wheels and the cherubim.
- כְּעֵין (kë'ayin) - "as the appearance of." Compares the makeup of the wheels to that of the living creatures themselves, suggesting a unified, integrated divine mechanism.
- סַמָּאר (sam'mar) - This rare Hebrew word is a hapax legomenon (occurs only once in the Bible) and its precise meaning is debated among scholars. It is often translated as "sapphire" or "chrysolite," indicating a precious, brilliant stone.
- וּדְמוּתְהֶן (u'd'mut'hen) - "and their likeness" or "their appearance." Reinforces the visual connection, showing that the wheels mirrored the appearance of the cherubim in some way.
- אֶחָת (e’chat) - "one." This word, when coupled with "likeness" and applied to the wheels, conveys the remarkable unity and integrated design of this complex celestial machinery.
Word-Group Analysis
- "and wheels from their sides were joined": This phrase,
וּבְאֵרֹת מִמֹּתָיו נֶאֱחָזוֹת, vividly portrays the intricate connection of the wheels to the cherubim. The wheels are not separate but intrinsically linked, acting as a unified system. - "as the appearance of sapphire":
כְּעֵין סַמָּארindicates a specific visual quality of the wheels—their color or luster—reminiscent of a precious blue gemstone. - "and their likeness one":
וּדְמוּתְהֶן אֶחָתunderscores a profound unity in the design and function of the wheels. Despite their complex nature (wheels within wheels), they share a singular essence or divine stamp, reflecting the singular purpose of God's movement.
Ezekiel 10 9 Bonus Section
The specific imagery of wheels within wheels, described as "full of eyes" in verse 12 (though not directly in verse 9, it informs its context), evokes a sense of complete omniscience and awareness guiding every movement of God's throne. Scholars have noted the distinctiveness of this vision from earlier prophetic accounts, emphasizing Ezekiel's unique portrayal of God’s transcendence and immanence, especially relevant to his exilic audience who might have questioned God's power to act far from their homeland. The vision’s intricate mechanical and living aspects collectively depict God’s absolute control over all spheres of existence—heavenly and earthly—and His readiness to execute His judgment and purposes.
Ezekiel 10 9 Commentary
Ezekiel 10:9 vividly illustrates the mobile and operational nature of God's presence through the description of the cherubim and the wheels. The wheels being "joined" or "connected" to the cherubim and reflecting their "likeness" points to an inseparable and perfectly coordinated divine movement. This movement is not random but directed by the Spirit (as seen in later verses), carrying the glory and authority of God. The mention of "sapphire" (or its debated equivalent) contributes to the overall depiction of divine majesty, beauty, and celestial purity. This imagery powerfully conveys that God's presence and rule are dynamic, extending beyond any single physical location, and that His divine operations are intricately unified, reflecting His perfect will and purpose.