Ezekiel
1
1 On the fifth day of the fourth month of the thirtieth year,* Ezekiel is not specific regarding what the “thirtieth year” applies to. Some have considered that it refers to his age. I was with the other exiles by the River Kebar. The heavens opened and I saw visions of God. 2 (On the fifth day of the month of the fifth year of King Jehoiachin's exile, 3 a message from Lord was given to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of Babylonia† “Babylonia”: literally, “land of the Chaldeans.” by the River Kebar. There Lord's power came over him.) 4 I looked up and saw a windstorm racing in from the north, a tremendous cloud with fire flashing like lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The middle of the fire looked like glowing metal 5 and within it was the shape of four beings.‡ They are identified as “cherubim” in 10:2.
This was what they looked like: They had a human shape, 6 but they each had four faces and four wings. 7 They had straight legs, and the soles of their feet looked like the hooves of calves, and shone like polished bronze.
8 They had human hands under their wings on each of their four sides. The four of them all had faces and wings, 9 and each of their wings touched the wings of the one next to it. As they moved they didn't turn—they all moved straight in one direction.
10 This what their faces looked like. They had a human face to the front, a lion's face to the right, a bull's face to the left, and lastly an eagle's face. 11 These were their faces.
Their wings were spread out above them. They all had two wings that touched the wings of the one beside it, as well as two wings that covered its body. 12 Each of them went together in whatever direction the Spirit§ “Spirit”: while the word used here can also mean breath or wind, the fact that this is the agent directing these beings indicates that it is divine. wished them to go, moving without turning. 13 These beings looked like bright burning coals or torches. Blazing fire moved to and fro between the beings, and lightning flashed out from the fire. 14 The beings raced to and fro as fast as the lightning flashes.
15 As I was watching these beings, I noticed a wheel on the ground next to each of the beings with their four faces. 16 The wheels looked like they were made of topaz,* “Topaz”: a semi-precious stone. The identification of gems in the Bible is uncertain. Other possibilities include beryl, jasper, and chrysolite. (The Septuagint has chrysolite, indicating that the stone was golden-yellow in color.) and all four wheels were the same. In the middle of each wheel was what looked like another wheel set crossways. 17 They could move in any direction without turning as they did so. 18 The wheel rims were impressively high, and all of the four rims were covered in eyes. 19 As the beings moved so did the wheels next to them, and when the beings flew up, the wheels did too.
20 They would go wherever the Spirit went. The wheels would lift up beside them, because the Spirit of the beings was in the wheels to direct them. 21 When the beings moved, the wheels moved; when they stopped, the wheels stopped; and when they flew up from the ground, the wheels flew up beside them, because the Spirit of the beings was in the wheels to direct them.
22 Extending above the heads of the being was something that looked like an amazing expanse† “Expanse”: The same word is used in Genesis 1:6 to describe the expanse later called the sky. that glittered like ice crystal. 23 Under this expanse the wings of the beings spread out toward one another. Each of them also had two wings that covered its body.
24 When the beings moved, I heard the sound their wings made. It was like the roar of a thundering waterfall, like the voice of the Almighty, like the noise of an army on the march.
Whenever they stopped, they folded their wings. 25 A voice spoke from beyond the expanse over their heads while they were standing still with their wings folded.
26 Above the expanse over their heads I saw what looked like a throne made of lapis lazuli.‡ “Lapis lazuli”: a semi-precious stone, bright blue in color Sitting on the throne high above was a being who looked like a man. 27 From what seemed to be his waist upwards, he looked like glowing metal with fire inside and everywhere around. From what seemed to be his waist downwards, I saw what looked like fire. He was surrounded by very bright light.
28 The bright light surrounding him was like a rainbow shining through the clouds on a rainy day. This was what the glory of the Lord looked like. When I saw it, I fell facedown on the ground, and then I heard someone speaking to me.
*1:1 Ezekiel is not specific regarding what the “thirtieth year” applies to. Some have considered that it refers to his age.
†1:3 “Babylonia”: literally, “land of the Chaldeans.”
‡1:5 They are identified as “cherubim” in 10:2.
§1:12 “Spirit”: while the word used here can also mean breath or wind, the fact that this is the agent directing these beings indicates that it is divine.
*1:16 “Topaz”: a semi-precious stone. The identification of gems in the Bible is uncertain. Other possibilities include beryl, jasper, and chrysolite. (The Septuagint has chrysolite, indicating that the stone was golden-yellow in color.)
†1:22 “Expanse”: The same word is used in Genesis 1:6 to describe the expanse later called the sky.
‡1:26 “Lapis lazuli”: a semi-precious stone, bright blue in color