Ezekiel 3:13 kjv
I heard also the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels over against them, and a noise of a great rushing.
Ezekiel 3:13 nkjv
I also heard the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels beside them, and a great thunderous noise.
Ezekiel 3:13 niv
It was the sound of the wings of the living creatures brushing against each other and the sound of the wheels beside them, a loud rumbling sound.
Ezekiel 3:13 esv
It was the sound of the wings of the living creatures as they touched one another, and the sound of the wheels beside them, and the sound of a great earthquake.
Ezekiel 3:13 nlt
It was the sound of the wings of the living beings as they brushed against each other and the rumbling of their wheels beneath them.
Ezekiel 3 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eze 1:24 | "When they went, I heard the sound of their wings like the sound of many waters..." | Sound of living creatures' wings. |
| Eze 1:15-21 | Detailed description of the wheels (ophannim) in vision. | Description of the wheels (ophannim). |
| Eze 1:9, 11, 23 | Wings joined, touching, stretched out; sound produced by them. | Wings connected and generating sound. |
| Eze 1:26-28 | Above the firmament was the likeness of a throne... This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. | God's glory above the creatures and wheels. |
| Eze 10:5 | "The sound of the wings of the cherubim was heard as far as the outer court, like the voice of God Almighty when he speaks." | Sound of cherubim's wings. |
| Eze 10:9-13 | The wheels reappear, reinforcing their connection to the cherubim. | Further description of the wheels in divine context. |
| Rev 4:6-9 | "Around the throne, were four living creatures... day and night they never cease to say, 'Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty...'" | NT parallel: living creatures around God's throne. |
| Rev 5:6-14 | The Lamb standing in the midst of the living creatures and elders; their praise. | Living creatures as part of heavenly worship. |
| Isa 6:2-4 | "Seraphim stood above him. Each had six wings... The foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice..." | Seraphim with wings; powerful sound/voice. |
| Ps 18:10 | "He rode on a cherub and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind." | God riding on a cherub. |
| Ps 104:3 | "He lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters; he makes the clouds his chariot..." | Clouds as God's chariot. |
| Hab 3:8 | "Did the LORD rage against the rivers, or was your indignation against the rivers, when you rode on your horses, on your chariots of salvation?" | God's powerful movement like a chariot. |
| Ps 29:3-9 | "The voice of the LORD is over the waters... The voice of the LORD is powerful... The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth..." | Voice of the Lord (powerful, thunderous sound). |
| 2 Sam 22:11 | "He rode on a cherub and flew; he swooped down on the wings of the wind." | God's mobility, riding a cherub. |
| Exo 25:18-20 | Cherubim with wings covering the mercy seat on the Ark. | Cherubim guarding God's presence. |
| 1 Ki 6:27 | Cherubim carved in the temple, wings extending through the holy place. | Cherubim as guardians of sacred space. |
| Rev 1:15 | "His voice was like the roar of many waters..." | Powerful sound associated with divine presence (like Eze 1:24). |
| Job 37:2 | "Listen! The thunder of his voice, and the rumbling that comes from his mouth." | God's powerful, rumbling voice. |
| Dan 7:9 | "His throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire." | Heavenly throne with fiery wheels, parallel to Ezekiel. |
| Heb 1:7 | "Of the angels he says, 'He makes his messengers winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.'" | Divine agents' dynamic, active nature. |
| Zech 6:1-8 | Four chariots coming out between two mountains, with spirits of heaven. | Visions of divine chariots and spirits. |
Ezekiel 3 verses
Ezekiel 3 13 Meaning
Ezekiel 3:13 describes the powerful auditory dimension of Ezekiel's prophetic vision, portraying the active and coordinated movement of the living creatures and their accompanying wheels. The verse emphasizes the unified, dynamic presence and immense power of God, as His Spirit moves His throne-chariot. The overall "great rumbling sound" signifies the overwhelming majesty and awe-inspiring force inherent in the divine presence, providing an auditory parallel to the stunning visual glory revealed in chapter 1.
Ezekiel 3 13 Context
Ezekiel 3:13 occurs immediately following Ezekiel's prophetic commissioning. Chapters 1 and 2 describe Ezekiel's extraordinary vision of God's glorious chariot-throne (the Merkabah) and his subsequent call to be a prophet to a rebellious house of Israel, delivering messages whether they listen or not. Verse 13 transitions from the charge given to Ezekiel (Eze 2:3-8) and his reception of the scroll (Eze 3:1-3) to the moment he is supernaturally lifted by the Spirit (Eze 3:12). This verse refocuses on the auditory experience, providing continuity with the grand vision and emphasizing the powerful, active force by which the Spirit propels Ezekiel into his ministry. For the exiles in Babylon, this vision served as a profound counter-narrative to their despair. It demonstrated that God was not confined to the Temple in Jerusalem but was universally sovereign, active, and present even in their place of captivity, defying local polytheistic beliefs in geographically limited deities.
Ezekiel 3 13 Word analysis
- I heard (וָאֶשְׁמַע - va'eshma): Signifies Ezekiel's immediate, direct, and profound sensory experience of the divine event, emphasizing the auditory aspect which completes the earlier visual elements. This indicates a continuing, immersive encounter.
- also the sound (קוֹל גַּם - qol gam): Qol refers to sound, voice, or noise, highlighting an audible phenomenon. Gam means "also" or "even," implying an additional, significant sound contributing to the overall experience.
- of the wings (כַּנְפֵי - kanfei): The plural form of kanaph, meaning wing or extremity. These are the powerful appendages of the living creatures, a symbol of swift movement and divine majesty.
- of the living creatures (הַחַיּוֹת - hachayot): Refers to the four celestial beings (often understood as cherubim) seen in Ezekiel 1. Their designation as "living" (chayyah) underscores their dynamic, active participation in the divine sphere. They represent creation’s vibrant subservience to God’s will.
- as they touched one another (נַחֲבֹת - nachabot or related to "beating"): This specific Hebrew term suggests a striking or beating motion, which is the source of the sound. It implies powerful, synchronized movement and close proximity among the creatures, signifying unity, coordinated purpose, and immense energy in their operation around God's throne.
- and the sound of the wheels (וְקוֹל אֹפַנֵּי - v'qol ofannei): Ophannim are the "wheels" intricately connected to the living creatures (Eze 1:15-21). These are no ordinary wheels; they represent omnidirectional movement, divine control, and omnipresence, emphasizing God's ability to move unhindered anywhere. Their sound contributes to the overwhelming impression.
- beside them (לְעֻמָּתָם - l'umatam): This signifies "corresponding to them" or "adjacent to them," affirming the intimate, symbiotic relationship between the wheels and the living creatures. Their movements are perfectly aligned and coordinated.
- and a great rumbling sound (וְקוֹל רַעַשׁ גָּדוֹל - v'qol ra'ash gadol):
- Ra'ash translates to a great noise, tumult, trembling, or even an earthquake. It describes a deep, powerful, earth-shaking commotion.
- Gadol means great or mighty.
- Together, this phrase describes a combined, overwhelming sound—a thundering, resounding roar—that transcends the individual sounds. This magnitude of sound is often associated with theophany (the manifestation of God), symbolizing His immense power, terrifying majesty, and irresistible presence, akin to thunder or an earthquake.
- Words-group analysis:
- "sound of the wings of the living creatures as they touched one another": This phrase creates an image of coordinated, powerful, and almost violent activity, with the wing-beats themselves creating the dominant, dynamic sound of the chayot. The interaction suggests a well-oiled, powerful mechanism of divine service.
- "and the sound of the wheels beside them": Highlights the integral connection and synchronous operation of the wheels (ophannim) with the chayot. Their joint movement generates a complex, multifaceted sound of immense scale, demonstrating perfect divine order.
- "and a great rumbling sound": This culminating phrase provides the overall sensory impact of the divine entourage. The specific word ra'ash implies more than mere noise; it is a profound, awe-inducing, overwhelming tremor, signifying the tremendous energy and power of the Spirit-driven glory of God that impacts not just Ezekiel, but the very fabric of existence around it. It signifies the immensity of God's presence.
Ezekiel 3 13 Bonus section
- The emphasis on sensory details throughout Ezekiel's early chapters (sight in Eze 1, taste in Eze 3:3, sound in Eze 3:12-13) draws the reader directly into the prophet's profound and multi-faceted encounter with the divine.
- The "great rumbling sound" (ra'ash) is a powerful theological symbol, often associated with divine presence or action that brings about judgment or change, such as earthquakes that accompany God's arrival (cf. Isa 6:4; Nah 1:5; Heb 12:26).
- The Merkabah vision (God's chariot-throne) is a key theological concept in Judaism, highlighting God's dynamic mobility, His omnipresence, and His absolute control over all creation. It assured the exiles that God was not bound by location.
- The sound could also be interpreted as the sound of God's voice, as suggested by Ezekiel 1:24 which states "like the sound of the Almighty, when he speaks." This would connect the divine rumbling to God's communication and active decree.
- The overwhelming nature of the experience—visual, tactile (spirit lifting him), and auditory—underscores the prophetic experience as completely divinely initiated and sustained, preparing Ezekiel for a ministry requiring immense fortitude.
Ezekiel 3 13 Commentary
Ezekiel 3:13 reinforces the profound and awe-inspiring nature of the divine encounter. Having witnessed God's glorious presence and received his prophetic commission, Ezekiel is now immersed in the overwhelming auditory manifestation of that glory. The precise, rhythmic beat of the living creatures' wings merging with the harmonious rotation of the cosmic wheels culminates in a "great rumbling sound." This unified roar is not mere noise; it is the sonic signature of God's omnipotence and active sovereignty. It signifies the profound, irresistible force by which the Spirit operates, moving not only the divine throne but also the prophet himself. For Ezekiel, this audible majesty would have been an undeniable affirmation of the immense power behind his calling and the unwavering, mobile presence of God, even amidst the desolation of exile. It grounds the visionary in the sensory reality of the divine, confirming his mandate with undeniable, overwhelming power.