Keraia
Ezekiel 1

Ezekiel 1:10

The Four Living Creatures · Ezekiel 1:4–14
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Translations

Modern
The form of their faces was that of a man, and each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, the face of an ox on the left side, and also the face of an eagle.
Traditional
As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.
Literal
And the likeness of their faces, was the face of a man, and the face of a lion on the right side was unto the four of them; and the face of an ox on the left side was unto the four of them, and the face of an eagle was unto the four of them.
Latin
Similitudo autem vultus eorum, facies hominis et facies leonis a dextris ipsorum quatuor, facies autem bovis a sinistris ipsorum quatuor, et facies aquilæ desuper ipsorum quatuor.

Original

Hebrew
English
The form of their faces was that of a man, and each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, the face of an ox on the left side, and also the face of an eagle.

Notes

Ezekiel 1:10

Each living being had four faces. One face was a lion, the strongest of the wild animals. One face was an ox, the strongest of the domestic animals. One face was an eagle, the strongest of the birds. One face was human, representing the highest part of God’s creation.

In Mesopotamia, the guardians placed at palace entrances also combined features of these same creatures. However, those figures did not have four faces.

Ezekiel 1:4–28

The language of this opening vision describes a theophany (a visible appearance of God; see study note on Deuteronomy 1:33). Ezekiel found it hard to describe what he saw. He often used phrases such as "the appearance of," "looked like," and "the likeness of." These words show that the vision was beyond normal human experience.

Even so, the message is clear and serious. The vision combines movement with symbols of judgment. It warns that God’s judgment would surely come upon rebellious Jerusalem.

Ezekiel 1:1–3:27

Old Testament prophetic books often begin with a “call narrative.” A call narrative describes how God chose and sent a prophet to serve in this role (for example, Jeremiah 1:4–19).

This account showed that the prophet’s message was legitimate. It made clear that the prophet spoke as the Lord’s ambassador (a representative sent with authority). The call narrative also introduced important themes that the book would explain more fully later.

In Ezekiel, the call narrative focuses on the Lord’s coming judgment on his people.

Theme notes and profiles

God’s Glory with His People

Events

Glossary

Amber Cherub, Cherubim Eagle Ezekiel (Person) Ezekiel, Book of Lion of the Tribe of Judah Pillar of Fire and Cloud Prophet, Prophetess Throne Wheel

Topics

Angel (A Spirit): Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Bullock: Symbolical Cherubim: Form and Appearance of Eagle: Symbolical Lion: Symbolical: Margin) The Eagle of Wisdom and Zeal of God's Ministers Visions: To Ezekiel (See Chapters 10, 40-48 of Ezekiel)