Ezekiel 8 2

Ezekiel 8:2 kjv

Then I beheld, and lo a likeness as the appearance of fire: from the appearance of his loins even downward, fire; and from his loins even upward, as the appearance of brightness, as the colour of amber.

Ezekiel 8:2 nkjv

Then I looked, and there was a likeness, like the appearance of fire?from the appearance of His waist and downward, fire; and from His waist and upward, like the appearance of brightness, like the color of amber.

Ezekiel 8:2 niv

I looked, and I saw a figure like that of a man. From what appeared to be his waist down he was like fire, and from there up his appearance was as bright as glowing metal.

Ezekiel 8:2 esv

Then I looked, and behold, a form that had the appearance of a man. Below what appeared to be his waist was fire, and above his waist was something like the appearance of brightness, like gleaming metal.

Ezekiel 8:2 nlt

I saw a figure that appeared to be a man. From what appeared to be his waist down, he looked like a burning flame. From the waist up he looked like gleaming amber.

Ezekiel 8 verses

Ezekiel 8 2 Meaning

Ezekiel 8:2 describes a visionary encounter where the prophet sees a radiant, human-like figure who transports him to Jerusalem. This figure possesses an intense divine glory, depicted with a fiery lower half and a brilliantly gleaming upper half, specifically shining like "electrum" or glowing bronze, signifying a divine, holy, and awe-inspiring presence.

Ezekiel 8 2 Context

Ezekiel 8 marks a pivotal shift in Ezekiel’s prophetic ministry, occurring six years after his initial vision in Babylon (Ezek 1:2). This chapter initiates a profound divine vision where God spiritually transports Ezekiel to Jerusalem, allowing him to witness the escalating idolatry and spiritual depravity rampant within the very temple precincts. This spiritual journey precedes and explains the impending destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple by the Babylonians, a judgment necessitated by Israel's apostasy. This specific verse (Ezek 8:2) describes the glorious, supernatural agent—likely a manifestation of the Lord himself, building upon descriptions from chapter 1—who performs this spiritual transportation, preparing the prophet for the revelation of such egregious sin. The overpowering vision of divine holiness sets a stark contrast to the abominations he is about to witness.

Ezekiel 8 2 Word analysis

• Then I looked (וָאֵרֶא - wa'ereh): Emphasizes Ezekiel’s active observation and signals the commencement of a significant new phase within the ongoing prophetic vision.
• and behold (וְהִנֵּה - v'hinneh): An interjection commanding attention, highlighting the awe-inspiring and divine nature of the manifestation about to be described.
• a likeness (כְּדְמוּת - k’demuth): From demuth (likeness, image, resemblance). This term in Ezekiel’s visions consistently implies a representation or similitude of a divine entity, maintaining the transcendent and incomprehensible nature of God while offering a perceptible form.
• as the appearance (כְּמַרְאֵה - k’mar’eh): From mar'eh (sight, vision, appearance). It further stresses the visual and manifested nature of the demuth, intensifying the descriptive language to convey its reality to Ezekiel.
• of fire (אֵשׁ - esh): Literally 'fire'. In biblical tradition, fire is a powerful symbol of God’s active presence, consuming holiness, judgment, purifying power, and divine wrath, indicating an intensely holy and unapproachable aspect.

Words-group analysis

• from the loins, even downward, fire (מִמָּתְנָיו וּלְמַטָּה, אֵשׁ - mi'matnav u'lemattah, esh): The "loins" (motnayim) denote the waist, a common dividing point in descriptions of divine or heavenly beings. The presence of fire in the lower part often symbolizes consuming judgment, active purification, or divine intolerance for corruption, directly relevant to the sins Ezekiel is about to witness.
• and from the loins, even upward, as the appearance of brightness (וּמִמָּתְנָיו וּלְמַעְלָה, כְּמַרְאֵה זֹהַר - u'mi'matnav u'lema'lah, k'mar'eh zohar): The upper body’s description with "brightness" (zohar) denotes dazzling radiance, splendid light, and majesty. This aspect highlights God's illuminating, glorious nature, contrasting the destructive power of fire with an ineffable, magnificent luminosity.
• like the gleam of electrum (כְּעֵין הַחַשְׁמַל - k’eyn hachashmal): "Gleam" (ayin) indicates lustre or reflective quality. "Electrum" (hashmal) is a distinct Hebrew term unique to Ezekiel (1:4, 1:27, 8:2) and usually translated as a shining metal, possibly an alloy of gold and silver, or even amber. It vividly conveys an intense, glowing, almost fiery and metallic brilliance that signifies unsurpassed divine glory, ineffable purity, and overwhelming majesty, drawing a clear link to the initial vision of God’s glory.

Ezekiel 8 2 Bonus section

The repeated use of hashmal (electrum) in Ezekiel’s visions (1:4, 1:27, 8:2) is significant. This unique Hebrew term consistently describes a particular, intensely glowing material or appearance that is synonymous with the core of God’s manifested glory. Its mystery underscores the transcendence and distinctness of the divine presence as experienced by Ezekiel. It sets a signature motif for his prophecies, ensuring that this encounter in chapter 8 is clearly connected to the magnificent throne vision where he first saw the glory of the Lord depart the Temple. The dazzling nature of hashmal implies not merely a reflective quality but an inherent, self-luminous property, pointing to God as the source of all light and glory, uncreated and self-existent.

Ezekiel 8 2 Commentary

Ezekiel 8:2 reveals a powerful theophanic figure, intrinsically linked to the divine chariot throne vision of chapter 1. This divine being, typically understood as a manifestation of the Lord or a leading angel, is characterized by a striking dual imagery: fire from the waist down and gleaming electrum above. The fire symbolizes God's pure holiness and His judicial zeal against sin, while the brilliant electrum (a shining, composite metal or substance) conveys His radiant, unapproachable glory and sovereign majesty. This intense, bifurcated display of divine presence serves to prepare Ezekiel for the abominations of idolatry he is about to observe within the Temple in Jerusalem. It starkly contrasts the vibrant, active, and fearsome glory of the true God with the lifeless, impotent idols, reinforcing the gravity of the people's rebellion and validating the certainty of divine judgment.