When those went, [these] went; and when those stood, [these] stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature [was] in the wheels.
When those went {H3212}, these went {H3212}; and when those stood {H5975}, these stood {H5975}; and when those were lifted up {H5375} from the earth {H776}, the wheels {H212} were lifted up {H5375} over against {H5980} them: for the spirit {H7307} of the living creature {H2416} was in the wheels {H212}.
When [the living creatures] moved, [the wheels] moved; when the former stood still, the latter stood still; and when the former were lifted off the ground, the wheels were lifted up next to them; because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.
When the creatures moved, the wheels moved; when the creatures stood still, the wheels stood still; and when the creatures rose from the ground, the wheels rose alongside them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.
When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up beside them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
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Ezekiel 10:17
When they stood, [these] stood; and when they were lifted up, [these] lifted up themselves [also]: for the spirit of the living creature [was] in them. -
Ezekiel 1:19
And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up. -
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. -
Romans 8:2
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Context
Ezekiel 1:21 is part of the prophet Ezekiel's foundational vision of God's glory and throne-chariot, which he received by the Chebar River during the Babylonian exile (circa 593 BC). This profound vision, detailed in Ezekiel 1, served to assure the exiled Israelites that God's presence and power were not confined to the Temple in Jerusalem, but were mobile and sovereign over all creation, even in a foreign land. This specific verse describes the intricate and synchronized movement of the "living creatures" (cherubim) and the "wheels" (ofen) that accompany the divine throne, emphasizing their unified, divinely directed action.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "spirit" here is ruach, which is a versatile term meaning breath, wind, or spirit. In this context, it powerfully conveys the animating, directing, and unifying force—the divine Spirit—that governs the intricate machinery of God's glory. The "living creature" (Hebrew: chayyah) refers to the cherubim, powerful angelic beings intimately associated with God's presence and throne. The "wheels" (Hebrew: 'ophan) are described with eyes, suggesting divine knowledge and omnipresence.
Related Scriptures
Practical Application
Ezekiel 1:21 offers profound comfort and assurance to believers today. It reminds us that God is actively involved and in complete control, even in chaotic or unsettling circumstances. Just as every part of His divine chariot moves in perfect synchronicity by His Spirit, so too does God orchestrate all things according to His sovereign will. For believers, this verse can serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of aligning our lives with the Holy Spirit's guidance, trusting that He leads us with divine purpose and precision, and that God is never far, no matter our location or situation.