Ezekiel 3:13

[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.

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}.

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.

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.

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 on Ezekiel 3:13 (KJV)

Ezekiel 3:13 continues the prophet Ezekiel's awe-inspiring account of his divine encounter, focusing on the powerful and overwhelming sounds associated with the celestial beings and machinery he witnessed. This verse is part of Ezekiel's call to prophetic ministry, where God reveals His majesty and the immense spiritual forces at work behind His word.

Context

This verse is deeply embedded within Ezekiel's foundational vision of God's glory and chariot-throne, which began in Ezekiel chapter 1. Having been commissioned by God to speak to the rebellious house of Israel while in Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is overwhelmed by the sheer power and presence of the Almighty. The sounds described here are not just background noise; they are integral to the manifestation of God's active presence and authority, preparing Ezekiel for the weighty task ahead. The vision emphasizes the absolute sovereignty and power of the God who sends him.

Key Themes

  • Divine Majesty and Power: The "noise of a great rushing" combined with the sounds of wings and wheels conveys an overwhelming sense of God's immense power and active presence. It's a sound that signifies the unstoppable force of the divine will and the grandeur of heaven.
  • Order and Synchronization: The description of "wings of the living creatures that touched one another" and "the noise of the wheels over against them" points to the perfect order, synchronization, and precise movement within God's heavenly administration. These living creatures (cherubim) and the complex "wheels within wheels" (ophanim) move in perfect harmony, executing God's commands.
  • Preparation for Ministry: The awe-inspiring nature of these sounds serves to impress upon Ezekiel the gravity and divine origin of his prophetic calling. Such a profound encounter ensures that the prophet understands the authority and power behind the messages he is to deliver.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "a great rushing" (קול רעש גדול - kol ra'ash gadol) literally means "a sound of a great tumult" or "a great noise." The word ra'ash can refer to a shaking, a quaking, or a loud, tumultuous sound, often associated with a storm, an earthquake, or the movement of a great army. This emphasizes the tremendous, overwhelming, and awe-inspiring nature of the divine manifestation, suggesting a sound that fills the heavens and earth.

Practical Application

Ezekiel's experience reminds us that God's presence is not always quiet or subtle. Sometimes, His activity is accompanied by overwhelming power and majesty, designed to humble us and instill a proper reverence for His sovereignty. For believers today, this verse can serve as a reminder that:

  • God is actively at work, and His plans unfold with divine precision and irresistible power.
  • Encountering God's true nature often involves a profound sense of awe and even fear, preparing us to receive His word and understand His will.
  • The spiritual realm is dynamic and powerful, far beyond human comprehension, yet perfectly ordered under God's control.
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 10:16

    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.

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