Ezekiel 1:6

And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.

And every one {H259} had four {H702} faces {H6440}, and every one {H259} had four {H702} wings {H3671}.

but each one had four faces and four wings.

but each had four faces and four wings.

and every one had four faces, and every one of them had four wings.

Ezekiel 1:6 KJV is part of the prophet Ezekiel's foundational vision of God's glory by the river Chebar, a profound encounter that sets the stage for his prophetic ministry to the exiled Israelites in Babylon.

Context of Ezekiel's Vision

This verse describes the appearance of the four living creatures that Ezekiel saw, following their initial introduction in Ezekiel 1:5. Ezekiel, a priest in exile, received this complex and highly symbolic vision to assure the Jewish captives that God's power and presence were not confined to the Temple in Jerusalem but extended even to their place of exile in Babylon. The detailed description emphasizes God's majesty and the supernatural nature of His heavenly court, providing a stark contrast to the pagan deities of Babylon.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Attributes: The multiple faces and wings are not merely fantastical but convey profound theological truths about God's character and operation. The "four faces" (later identified in Ezekiel 1:10 as those of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle) symbolize comprehensive intelligence, kingly power, tireless service, and far-reaching vision. This multifaceted appearance speaks to God's omnipresence and omniscience, indicating He sees and understands all things from every perspective.
  • Readiness for Action: The "four wings" signify the creatures' immediate readiness and ability to move swiftly and directly in any direction, executing God's will without hesitation. This underscores the efficiency and power of divine command and the swiftness of God's judgment and deliverance.
  • God's Sovereign Control: The very presence of these powerful, complex living creatures serving God in a foreign land reassures the exiles of God's ultimate sovereignty over all creation and circumstances, including their captivity.

Linguistic Insights

While the Hebrew words for "faces" (*panim*) and "wings" (*kanaf*) are common, their combination and the repeated use of the number "four" in this vision carry significant symbolic weight. In biblical numerology, "four" often represents universality, the four cardinal directions, or the earthly realm, suggesting that these heavenly beings relate to God's dominion over all creation. These living creatures are later identified as cherubim, powerful angelic beings often associated with guarding God's holiness and executing His judgments, as seen in other biblical texts.

Practical Application

Ezekiel's vision reminds us that God is infinitely complex and powerful, far beyond our full comprehension. We should not limit our understanding of Him based on our circumstances or human logic. Even in times of difficulty, uncertainty, or "exile" from what is familiar, God remains on His throne, actively governing all things. His purposes are carried out with precision and power by His heavenly hosts. This vision encourages believers to trust in God's vast capabilities and His active presence in every facet of life, understanding that His divine plans are always in motion, executed by powerful, obedient servants.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

  • 1 Kings 6:24

    And five cubits [was] the one wing of the cherub, and five cubits the other wing of the cherub: from the uttermost part of the one wing unto the uttermost part of the other [were] ten cubits.

  • 1 Kings 6:27

    And he set the cherubims within the inner house: and they stretched forth the wings of the cherubims, so that the wing of the one touched the [one] wall, and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall; and their wings touched one another in the midst of the house.

  • Ezekiel 1:15

    ¶ Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces.

  • 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.

  • Revelation 4:8

    ¶ And the four beasts had each of them six wings about [him]; and [they were] full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

  • Isaiah 6:2

    Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

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