King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
When they went, they went upon their four sides; they turned not as they went, but to the place whither the head looked they followed it; they turned not as they went.
Complete Jewish Bible:
When they moved, they could go in any of the four directions without turning as they moved; rather, wherever the head looked, they followed without turning as they moved.
Berean Standard Bible:
When they moved, they would go in any of the four directions, without turning as they moved. For wherever the head faced, the cherubim would go in that direction, without turning as they moved.
American Standard Version:
When they went, they went in their four directions: they turned not as they went, but to the place whither the head looked they followed it; they turned not as they went.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
When they went{H3212}, they went{H3212} upon their four{H702} sides{H7253}; they turned{H5437} not as they went{H3212}, but to the place{H4725} whither the head{H7218} looked{H6437} they followed{H3212}{H310} it; they turned{H5437} not as they went{H3212}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Ezekiel 1:17
- When they went, they went upon their four sides: [and] they turned not when they went.
Ezekiel 10:22
- And the likeness of their faces [was] the same faces which I saw by the river of Chebar, their appearances and themselves: they went every one straight forward.
Ezekiel 1:20
- Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither [was their] spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature [was] in the wheels.
Matthew 8:8
- The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
Matthew 8:10
- When Jesus heard [it], he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Ezekiel 10:11
Ezekiel 10:11 is a part of the prophetic book of Ezekiel, which is found in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament. Ezekiel, a priest who was among the Jewish exiles in Babylon, received visions from God concerning the fate of Jerusalem and the future of Israel. The book is known for its elaborate and symbolic visions, particularly those concerning the glory of God and the divine chariot, or "merkabah."
In the verse Ezekiel 10:11, the prophet describes a vision of four-faced cherubim, each with four wings, who attend to the divine throne. These beings are part of a complex and awe-inspiring vision of God's mobile throne-chariot. The verse emphasizes the synchronized movement of the cherubim: they move straight ahead in the direction they are facing without turning from their course. This precise and unswerving movement reflects the purposeful and deliberate nature of divine action and judgment.
The historical context of this vision is significant. It occurs during the period of the Babylonian Exile (597-539 BCE), a time when the people of Judah were taken into captivity by the Babylonians, and the city of Jerusalem and its Temple were destroyed. Ezekiel's visions serve to reassure the exiles that despite the apparent triumph of pagan empires, God is sovereign, mobile, and not confined to the ruined Temple in Jerusalem. The vision of the cherubim's precise movement also underscores the theme of divine justice and the assurance that God's purposes will be accomplished, even through the turmoil of exile and destruction.
In summary, Ezekiel 10:11 is a detailed description of the cherubim within a larger vision, emphasizing the certain and directed nature of divine action. It serves as a message of hope and a reminder of God's sovereignty and presence with His people during a time of national crisis and displacement.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3212
There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָלַךְ
Transliteration: yâlak
Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. - Strong's Number: H702
There are 383 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַרְבַּע
Transliteration: ʼarbaʻ
Pronunciation: ar-bah'
Description: masculine אַרְבָּעָה; from רָבַע; four; four. - Strong's Number: H7253
There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֶבַע
Transliteration: rebaʻ
Pronunciation: reh'-bah
Description: from רָבַע; a fourth (part or side); fourth part, side, square. - Strong's Number: H5437
There are 147 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: סָבַב
Transliteration: çâbab
Pronunciation: saw-bab'
Description: a primitive root; to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively; bring, cast, fetch, lead, make, walk, [idiom] whirl, [idiom] round about, be about on every side, apply, avoid, beset (about), besiege, bring again, carry (about), change, cause to come about, [idiom] circuit, (fetch a) compass (about, round), drive, environ, [idiom] on every side, beset (close, come, compass, go, stand) round about, inclose, remove, return, set, sit down, turn (self) (about, aside, away, back). - Strong's Number: H4725
There are 379 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָקוֹם
Transliteration: mâqôwm
Pronunciation: maw-kome'
Description: or מָקֹם; also (feminine) מְקוֹמָה; or מְקֹמָה; from קוּם; properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind); country, [idiom] home, [idiom] open, place, room, space, [idiom] whither(-soever). - Strong's Number: H7218
There are 548 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֹאשׁ
Transliteration: rôʼsh
Pronunciation: roshe
Description: from an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.); band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top. - Strong's Number: H6437
There are 128 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּנָה
Transliteration: pânâh
Pronunciation: paw-naw'
Description: a primitive root; to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. appear, look, etc.; appear, at (even-) tide, behold, cast out, come on, [idiom] corner, dawning, empty, go away, lie, look, mark, pass away, prepare, regard, (have) respect (to), (re-) turn (aside, away, back, face, self), [idiom] right (early). - Strong's Number: H310
There are 766 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַחַר
Transliteration: ʼachar
Pronunciation: akh-ar'
Description: from אָחַר; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses); after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with.