Ezekiel 3:13

KJV

[I heard] also the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels over against them, and a noise of a great rushing.

KJV (with Strong's)

I heard also the noise {H6963} of the wings {H3671} of the living creatures {H2416} that touched {H5401} one {H802} another {H269}, and the noise {H6963} of the wheels {H212} over against {H5980} them, and a noise {H6963} of a great {H1419} rushing {H7494}.

Complete Jewish Bible

It was the sound of the wings of the living creatures as they beat against each other, and the sound of the wheels next to them, a very loud sound.

Berean Standard Bible

It was the sound of the wings of the living creatures brushing against one another and the sound of the wheels beside them, a great rumbling sound.

American Standard Version

And I heard the noise of the wings of the living creatures as they touched one another, and the noise of the wheels beside them, even the noise of a great rushing.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 3:13 vividly describes the overwhelming auditory experience of the prophet during his divine encounter, focusing on the powerful sounds emanating from the celestial beings and the intricate wheels of God's chariot-throne. This verse, part of Ezekiel's foundational vision of divine glory, underscores the immense power, order, and majesty of the Almighty, serving to prepare the prophet for the weighty and formidable task of delivering God's word to a rebellious people in exile. The cacophony of sounds signifies the active, irresistible presence and sovereign authority of the God who commissions him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 3:13 is situated within the profound and awe-inspiring account of Ezekiel's call to prophetic ministry, specifically following the detailed description of the divine chariot-throne vision in [Ezekiel 1](/ezekiel/1 "Ezekiel 1 - The Vision of God's Glory") and the subsequent divine commission in [Ezekiel 2](/ezekiel/2 "Ezekiel 2 - Ezekiel's Call to Prophecy"). The preceding verses in chapter 3 describe Ezekiel's symbolic act of eating the scroll, signifying his internalization of God's word, and his subsequent empowerment by the Spirit. This particular verse serves as a climactic auditory element of the vision, reinforcing the overwhelming reality and power of the divine presence that has just commissioned him. It's not merely background noise but an integral part of the manifestation of God's active presence and authority, preparing Ezekiel for the weighty task ahead. The sounds described here are part of the sensory overload designed to impress upon the prophet the absolute sovereignty and power of the God who sends him.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel received this vision while among the exiles by the Chebar Canal in Babylon, around 593 BC. This period was one of profound national crisis and spiritual despair for the Jewish people, who had been forcibly removed from their homeland and temple. In such a context, the vision of God's glory, particularly His mobility and active presence even in a foreign land, was crucial. It countered the common ancient Near Eastern belief that deities were confined to their temples or specific geographical locations. The description of a "chariot-throne" resonates with imagery of divine mobility and kingship found in other ancient Near Eastern cultures, but here, it is uniquely applied to Yahweh, emphasizing His universal sovereignty and ability to act anywhere, even in exile. The overwhelming sounds would have underscored the absolute, terrifying holiness and power of a God who transcends all earthly limitations and is about to speak through His prophet.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Ezekiel's prophecy. Primarily, it highlights **Divine Majesty and Power**, portraying God's presence as an overwhelming, dynamic force, far beyond human comprehension or control. The "noise of a great rushing" signifies the irresistible and unstoppable nature of God's will and the grandeur of His heavenly court. Secondly, it emphasizes **Divine Order and Synchronization**. The detailed description of "wings of the living creatures that touched one another" and "the noise of the wheels over against them" points to the perfect harmony, precision, and synchronized movement within God's heavenly administration. These [living creatures](/ezekiel/1-5 "Ezekiel 1:5 - Description of the Living Creatures") (cherubim) and the [complex "wheels within wheels"](/ezekiel/1-15 "Ezekiel 1:15 - The Vision of the Wheels") (ophanim) move in perfect concert, executing God's commands with absolute precision. Finally, the awe-inspiring nature of these sounds serves as a crucial element in Ezekiel's **Preparation for Ministry**, instilling in him a profound sense of the gravity, authority, and divine origin of his prophetic calling. Such a profound encounter ensures that the prophet understands the immense power and authority behind the messages he is to deliver to a stubborn and rebellious people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **noise (Hebrew, _qôwl'_):** H6963, meaning "a voice or sound." In this context, it refers to the literal auditory phenomena accompanying the divine manifestation. The repetition of "noise" three times in the verse (of wings, of wheels, of a great rushing) emphasizes the overwhelming and pervasive nature of the sounds, creating a sensory experience that dominates Ezekiel's perception. It's not merely a faint sound but a powerful, resonant, almost deafening auditory display of divine presence.
* **living creatures (Hebrew, _chay'_):** H2416, meaning "alive; life (or living thing)." These are the celestial beings, identified later in Ezekiel as cherubim, who support the divine throne. The term "living creatures" highlights their vibrant, dynamic, and divinely animated nature. Their very being is characterized by life, reflecting the life-giving power and presence of God. The noise of their wings signifies their active movement and the immense power inherent in their celestial functions as bearers of God's glory.
* **rushing (Hebrew, _raʻash'_):** H7494, meaning "vibration, bounding, uproar; commotion, confused noise, earthquake, fierceness, quaking, rattling, shaking." This word conveys a sense of violent, tumultuous motion and sound. Combined with "great" (H1419, _gâdôwl_), it describes an overwhelming, earth-shaking sound, akin to a mighty storm, an earthquake, or the charge of a vast army. It signifies the immense, uncontrollable, and awe-inspiring power of God's presence and movement, a sound that fills the heavens and commands absolute attention and reverence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[I heard] also the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another":** This clause describes the first and most immediate sound Ezekiel perceives – the powerful, rhythmic beat of the wings of the four living creatures. The phrase "that touched one another" suggests a synchronized, perhaps even interlocking, movement of these massive wings, creating a unified and mighty sound. This implies perfect coordination and order within the divine realm, where every movement is purposeful and harmonious, contributing to the overall majesty of God's throne.
* **"and the noise of the wheels over against them":** Following the sound of the wings, Ezekiel hears the distinct noise of the wheels. These are the mysterious "wheels within wheels" (ophanim) described in [Ezekiel 1:15-21](/ezekiel/1-15 "Ezekiel 1:15-21 - Description of the Wheels"), which move in perfect alignment with the living creatures. The phrase "over against them" emphasizes their close proximity and coordinated movement with the creatures, forming an integral part of the divine chariot-throne. The sound of these complex, multi-directional wheels would have been unique and powerful, signifying the intricate mechanics and unstoppable progression of God's sovereign purposes.
* **"and a noise of a great rushing":** This final phrase serves as a powerful summary and amplification of the preceding sounds. The "great rushing" (Hebrew: _qol ra'ash gadol_) is an overarching, tumultuous sound that encompasses and transcends the individual noises of wings and wheels. It evokes an image of immense power, like a mighty storm, a thundering waterfall, or the roar of a vast army. This climactic sound signifies the overwhelming presence, dynamic energy, and irresistible force of God's glory, filling the entire visionary space and deeply impacting the prophet.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 3:13 is rich in **Auditory Imagery**, as the entire verse is dedicated to describing the various sounds accompanying the divine vision. The repetition of "noise" (Hebrew: _qôwl_) three times emphasizes the overwhelming sensory experience, immersing the reader in the prophet's perception. The phrase "a great rushing" employs **Hyperbole** to convey the immense, almost indescribable scale of the sound, suggesting a power that transcends ordinary human experience. Furthermore, the sounds themselves function as **Symbolism**. The synchronized noise of the wings and wheels symbolizes the perfect order, precision, and unity within God's heavenly administration, where every element moves in perfect concert to fulfill His will. The "great rushing" symbolizes the overwhelming power, majesty, and active presence of God, indicating His unstoppable sovereignty and the force with which His divine purposes are enacted.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 3:13 profoundly reinforces the themes of divine transcendence, immanence, and absolute sovereignty. The overwhelming sounds of the celestial chariot-throne communicate a God who is not static or confined but dynamically active, moving with irresistible power and perfect order to accomplish His purposes. This vision of God's mobile throne, accompanied by such powerful auditory phenomena, was a crucial theological statement to the exiles, assuring them that Yahweh's presence and power were not limited to Jerusalem or the Temple but extended even to Babylon. It underscores that God's plans unfold with divine precision and irresistible power, regardless of human circumstances or geographical location, preparing Ezekiel for the gravity of his prophetic task.

* [Isaiah 6:4](/isaiah/6-4 "Isaiah 6:4 - Sound in Isaiah's Temple Vision")
* [Revelation 4:5](/revelation/4-5 "Revelation 4:5 - Sounds from God's Throne")
* [Psalm 29:3-9](/psalm/29-3 "Psalm 29:3-9 - The Voice of the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel's encounter with the overwhelming sounds of God's chariot-throne serves as a powerful reminder of the awe-inspiring nature of the divine presence. In a world often characterized by noise and distraction, this verse calls us to consider the profound and often overwhelming reality of God's active involvement in His creation. It challenges our tendency to domesticate God or reduce Him to a manageable concept. Just as these sounds prepared Ezekiel for his daunting ministry, they can prepare us to receive God's word with appropriate reverence and humility. Understanding God's immense power, perfect order, and unstoppable will should instill in us a deep sense of awe, prompting us to trust in His sovereign control even amidst chaos. It reminds us that the spiritual realm is dynamic and powerful, far beyond human comprehension, yet perfectly ordered under God's control, moving with purpose towards His ultimate ends. This encounter should motivate us to listen more intently for God's voice and to align our lives with His powerful, unfolding purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the overwhelming nature of God's presence, as described in Ezekiel 3:13, challenge your understanding of God?**
* **In what ways might a deeper awareness of God's power and order prepare you for the challenges and callings in your own life?**
* **What "noises" or distractions in your life might be preventing you from fully perceiving the active presence and will of God?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "noise of a great rushing" in Ezekiel's vision?**

Answer: The "noise of a great rushing" (Hebrew: _qol ra'ash gadol_) is highly significant as it represents the overwhelming, dynamic, and irresistible power of God's presence. It is often interpreted as a sound akin to a mighty storm, an earthquake, or the thundering of a vast army, signifying the active movement and sovereign authority of God's glory. This sound is not merely background noise but an integral part of the divine manifestation, designed to impress upon Ezekiel the immense power and authority of the God who commissions him. It underscores that God is not static but a living, moving force, whose purposes are unstoppable and whose presence fills all things. This sound prepares Ezekiel for the gravity of his prophetic task, reminding him that the message he carries comes from the Almighty, whose power is beyond human comprehension.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The awe-inspiring vision of God's chariot-throne in Ezekiel, with its overwhelming sounds of power and order, finds its ultimate fulfillment and clearest revelation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Ezekiel saw the glory of the invisible God manifested in symbolic forms, [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") declares that "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." The very power and majesty symbolized by the "noise of a great rushing" are embodied in Christ, who is the "radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory")). The perfect order and synchronization of the celestial beings and wheels point to the divine wisdom and sovereign control that are fully vested in Christ, for "in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together" ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-17 "Colossians 1:17 - Christ's Preeminence")). Furthermore, the "rushing" sound, signifying the dynamic movement of God's Spirit, foreshadows the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, described as a "sound like the blowing of a violent wind" ([Acts 2:2](/acts/2-2 "Acts 2:2 - The Sound of a Rushing Wind at Pentecost")), empowering believers for ministry, just as Ezekiel was empowered. Thus, the overwhelming glory and power revealed to Ezekiel are ultimately revealed and made accessible to humanity through Christ, who is the visible manifestation of the invisible God, the one through whom all divine purposes are accomplished and sustained.

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.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 10:16

And when the cherubims went, the wheels went by them: and when the cherubims lifted up their wings to mount up from the earth, the same wheels also turned not from beside them.

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 1:24

And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings.

Ezekiel 10:5

And the sound of the cherubims' wings was heard [even] to the outer court, as the voice of the Almighty God when he speaketh.

2 Samuel 5:24

And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.

Ezekiel 1:15

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