King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Every one had four faces apiece, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the hands of a man [was] under their wings.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Each of the four had four faces, and each had four wings, and what looked like a man's hands was under their wings.
Berean Standard Bible:
Each had four faces and four wings, with what looked like human hands under their wings.
American Standard Version:
Every one had four faces, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Every one{H259} had four{H702} faces{H6440} apiece{H259}, and every one{H259} four{H702} wings{H3671}; and the likeness{H1823} of the hands{H3027} of a man{H120} was under their wings{H3671}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Ezekiel 10:14
- And every one had four faces: the first face [was] the face of a cherub, and the second face [was] the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.
Ezekiel 1:6
- And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.
Ezekiel 41:18
- And [it was] made with cherubims and palm trees, so that a palm tree [was] between a cherub and a cherub; and [every] cherub had two faces;
Ezekiel 41:19
- So that the face of a man [was] toward the palm tree on the one side, and the face of a young lion toward the palm tree on the other side: [it was] made through all the house round about.
Revelation 4:7
- And the first beast [was] like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast [was] like a flying eagle.
Ezekiel 1:8
- And [they had] the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings.
Ezekiel 1:10
- 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.
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Commentary for Ezekiel 10:21
Ezekiel 10:21 is a part of the Old Testament and is found within the prophetic book of Ezekiel, which is named after its author, the prophet Ezekiel. This book is set during the Babylonian Exile, a period in ancient Israel's history when many Jews were taken captive to Babylon. Ezekiel himself was among those exiled, and his prophetic ministry began around 593 BCE.
The verse is part of a larger vision that Ezekiel experiences, often referred to as the vision of the chariot or the vision of the glory of the Lord. This vision is rich in symbolism and is one of the most enigmatic and mystical passages in the Hebrew Bible. In the vision, Ezekiel sees living creatures (cherubim) that have four faces—those of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle—and four wings. These creatures are attendants to the divine throne and are described as having the hands of a man under their wings.
The imagery of the four faces represents the fullness of creation and the comprehensive nature of God's rule over all aspects of life. The four wings suggest swiftness and mobility in service to God. The hands of a man under their wings indicate both the strength and the dexterity to carry out divine commands. This vision serves to convey the majesty, holiness, and incomparable glory of God, emphasizing His sovereignty over all the earth and His ability to transcend human limitations.
In the historical context, Ezekiel's message to the exiled Israelites was one of both judgment and hope. While the vision underscores the holiness and power of God, it also reassures the people that despite their current circumstances, God is present with them and remains in control of history. The vision of the living creatures with their four faces and wings, and the hands of a man beneath them, serves as a symbol of God's omnipotence and His angelic servants who are ever-ready to do His bidding. It is a powerful reminder of God's majestic presence, even amidst the trials and tribulations faced by His people.
*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: H259
There are 801 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶחָד
Transliteration: ʼechâd
Pronunciation: ekh-awd'
Description: a numeral from אָחַד; properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first; a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, - 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: H6440
There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּנִים
Transliteration: pânîym
Pronunciation: paw-neem'
Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. - Strong's Number: H3671
There are 85 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כָּנָף
Transliteration: kânâph
Pronunciation: kaw-nawf'
Description: from כָּנַף; an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinnacle; [phrase] bird, border, corner, end, feather(-ed), [idiom] flying, [phrase] (one an-) other, overspreading, [idiom] quarters, skirt, [idiom] sort, uttermost part, wing(-ed). - Strong's Number: H1823
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דְּמוּת
Transliteration: dᵉmûwth
Pronunciation: dem-ooth'
Description: from דָּמָה; resemblance; concretely, model, shape; adverbially, like; fashion, like (-ness, as), manner, similitude. - Strong's Number: H3027
There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָד
Transliteration: yâd
Pronunciation: yawd
Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. - Strong's Number: H120
There are 581 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָדָם
Transliteration: ʼâdâm
Pronunciation: aw-dawm'
Description: from אָדַם; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.); [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person.