1:3 1:3

Ezekiel 1:4

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Bible Versions

¶ And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness [was] about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.
And I looked {H7200}, and, behold, a whirlwind {H7307}{H5591} came {H935} out of the north {H6828}, a great {H1419} cloud {H6051}, and a fire {H784} infolding {H3947} itself, and a brightness {H5051} was about {H5439} it, and out of the midst {H8432} thereof as the colour {H5869} of amber {H2830}, out of the midst {H8432} of the fire {H784}.
I looked and saw a windy storm approaching from the north and a huge cloud with flashing fire, glowing brightly all around with the color of gleaming amber from within the fire.
I looked and saw a whirlwind coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing back and forth and brilliant light all around it. In the center of the fire was a gleam like amber,
And I looked, and, behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, a great cloud, with a fire infolding itself, and a brightness round about it, and out of the midst thereof as it were glowing metal, out of the midst of the fire.

Ezekiel 1:4 introduces the dramatic opening of the prophet Ezekiel's foundational vision, setting the stage for a profound revelation of God's majesty and presence. This verse describes the initial appearance of the divine manifestation that Ezekiel witnesses while in exile by the Chebar Canal.

Context

The prophet Ezekiel was among the Jewish exiles in Babylon, a priest taken captive during the first deportation from Jerusalem (597 BC). Living in a foreign land, far from the Temple and the traditional place of God's presence, this vision served to affirm God's sovereignty and presence even outside the Promised Land. The imagery here echoes earlier biblical accounts of God's appearances, often associated with powerful natural phenomena.

Key Themes

  • Divine Majesty and Power: The "whirlwind," "great cloud," and "fire" emphasize God's overwhelming power and transcendent nature. These elements are common biblical motifs associated with God's direct appearance or theophany.
  • Enigmatic Revelation: The vision is not immediately clear but unfolds in layers. The initial chaotic and powerful imagery suggests the awe-inspiring, sometimes terrifying, nature of encountering the Holy God.
  • Preparation for Prophecy: This powerful and unsettling scene prepares Ezekiel for his calling as a prophet, indicating the weighty and often challenging nature of the messages he is about to receive.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "fire infolding itself" (Hebrew: אֵשׁ מִתְלַקַּחַת, 'esh mitlaqqachat) suggests a self-sustaining, perhaps consuming, fire that is intensely active and vibrant. It's not a passive flame but one that is dynamic and alive.

The description "colour of amber" (Hebrew: chashmal) is particularly enigmatic. While often translated as "amber," its precise meaning is debated. Some scholars suggest it refers to a polished, gleaming metal, perhaps bronze or electrum (an alloy of gold and silver), known for its brilliant, fiery luster. This term appears only in Ezekiel and signifies a radiant, perhaps metallic, glow that emanates from the very heart of the divine fire, hinting at the dazzling glory of the LORD.

Practical Application

Ezekiel's vision reminds us that God's presence is not confined to specific places or circumstances. Even in times of displacement, crisis, or uncertainty, God can manifest His power and communicate His will. This opening scene calls for reverence and awe in the face of God's incomprehensible majesty. It also underscores that divine encounters can be overwhelming and intensely powerful, often revealing aspects of God that challenge our preconceptions and prepare us for His purposes.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezekiel 1:27

    And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.

  • Jeremiah 23:19

    Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.

  • Ezekiel 8:2

    Then I beheld, and lo a likeness as the appearance of fire: from the appearance of his loins even downward, fire; and from his loins even upward, as the appearance of brightness, as the colour of amber.

  • Jeremiah 25:32

    Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth.

  • Isaiah 21:1

    ¶ The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; [so] it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land.

  • Exodus 19:16

    ¶ And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that [was] in the camp trembled.

  • Exodus 19:18

    And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.
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