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.

And the likeness {H1823} of their faces {H6440} was the same {H1992} faces {H6440} which I saw {H7200} by the river {H5104} of Chebar {H3529}, their appearances {H4758} and themselves: they went {H3212} every one {H376} straight {H5676} forward {H6440}.

As for how their faces looked, they were the faces I had seen by the K'var River, identical in appearance. Each one moved straight ahead.

Their faces looked like the faces I had seen by the River Kebar. Each creature went straight ahead.

And as for the likeness of their faces, they were the faces which I saw by the river Chebar, their appearances and themselves; they went every one straight forward.

Ezekiel 10:22 is a pivotal verse in the prophet Ezekiel's vision, serving as a direct link back to his initial encounter with divine glory. It confirms the identity and characteristics of the celestial beings he is observing during a critical moment in Israel's history.

Context

This verse is part of Ezekiel's second major vision, detailed in chapters 8-11. Here, the prophet witnesses the glory of the God of Israel in the Jerusalem Temple, but this time, it is in the process of departing due to the widespread idolatry and sin within the city (Ezekiel 8:6). The beings described in verse 22 are the cherubim, heavenly creatures associated with God's throne and presence. Ezekiel 10 provides a detailed description of these cherubim, their wheels, and their roles in facilitating the movement of God's glory.

Key Themes

  • Divine Consistency: The phrase "the same faces which I saw by the river of Chebar" explicitly connects this vision to Ezekiel's inaugural encounter with God's glory and his commissioning as a prophet (Ezekiel 1:1-3). This continuity assures Ezekiel, and the reader, that this is indeed a continuation of God's unfolding revelation, emphasizing God's unchanging nature and the reliability of His word.
  • Order and Purpose in Divine Movement: The observation "they went every one straight forward" highlights the unwavering and direct nature of the cherubim's movement. This characteristic, also noted in Ezekiel 1:12, signifies divine precision, purpose, and control. These heavenly beings do not hesitate, turn, or need to reorient; their path is divinely directed and executed with absolute efficiency.
  • The Nature of the Cherubim: The verse reminds us of the specific attributes of these powerful angelic beings, particularly their four distinct faces (human, lion, ox, eagle) which are detailed in Ezekiel 1:10. These faces symbolize various aspects of creation and divine sovereignty.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "their appearances and themselves" emphasizes that it wasn't just a fleeting resemblance, but the very essence and form of the beings Ezekiel first witnessed. This confirms the prophet's profound and consistent experience of the divine, leaving no doubt about the reality of his visions. The Hebrew word for "faces" (pāním) refers to the front part, indicating distinct countenances. The phrase "straight forward" (nōkhaḥ) implies directly in front, without deviation, underscoring the divine order and intentionality behind their actions.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 10:22 offers several timeless insights. Firstly, it underscores the consistency of God's character and His communication. Just as Ezekiel's later visions aligned with his first, we can trust in the unchanging nature of God's truth as revealed through Scripture. Secondly, the "straight forward" movement of the cherubim serves as a powerful metaphor for divine purpose and the unwavering execution of God's will, even in times of judgment or transition. It reminds us that God's plans proceed with perfect precision, regardless of human understanding or resistance. For believers, this can be an encouragement to trust God's path and to move forward with similar unwavering commitment in our own walk of faith, guided by His Spirit (Galatians 5:25).

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 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.
  • Ezekiel 10:11

    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.
  • Hosea 14:9

    Who [is] wise, and he shall understand these [things]? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD [are] right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.
  • Ezekiel 1:12

    And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; [and] they turned not when they went.

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