Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezekiel 1:9
Their wings [were] joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.
Two of the wings were in the act of flying, so stretched out that the extremity of each touched a wing of a neighboring living creature, similarly stretched out. This was only when they were in motion. See Eze 1:24.
They went every one straight forward – The four together formed a square, and never altered their relative position. From each side two faces looked straight out, one at each corner – and so all moved together toward any of the four quarters, toward which each one had one of its four faces directed; in whatsoever direction the whole moved the four might be said all to go straight forward.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 9. Their wings were joined one to another] When their wings were extended, they formed a sort of canopy level with their own heads or shoulders; and on this canopy was the throne, and the “likeness of the man” upon it, Eze 1:26.
They turned not when they went] The wings did not flap in flying, or move in the manner of oars, or of the hands of a man in swimming, in order to their passing through the air; as they glided in reference to their feet, so they soared in reference to their wings.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Their wings were joined one to another; the wings of the living creatures, when stretched out to fly, were joined together; so the wings of those two cherubims which went foremost, and the wings of the two hindermost, were joined together when they moved. It seems to refer to that Exo 25:20. It signifies, however, the equal and uniform readiness of angels, their concord and union with constancy to do the will of God, and it shows us the exact harmony that is between the works of God. These wings, and their being joined, is expressed, Heb. by the union of loving sisters with each other.
They turned not when they went; they lost no time in a difficult or tedious turning, as we see in other chariots, for which way soever they were to go, thither they had faces directed, and so readily moved forward on their way, whether east or west, north or south, and held on till they had finished their course, but then were ready for further action, and returned as quick to their station, where they might receive new commands, as lightning does; so this and that Eze 1:14, there they did return, here they did not, are reconciled.
They went every one straight forward: this explains the former, and confirms it to us, assuring us that every one of those living creatures are ready, faithful, and unwearied in doing the pleasure of their Creator, in his government of the world. See Eze 1:12.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
9. theyhad no occasion toturn themselves round when changing their direction, for they had aface (Eze 1:6) looking to eachof the four quarters of heaven. They made no mistakes; and their workneeded not be gone over again. Their wings were joined above in pairs(see Eze 1:11).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Their wings [were] joined one to another,…. “A woman to her sister” n, in the Hebrew; denoting the concord, harmony, and agreement of Gospel ministers, and their affection to one another; they preach the same Gospel; administer the same ordinances; do the same work of the Lord; have the same zeal for the glory of God; the same love for Christ, and affection for the souls of men; are of the same mind and judgment, and help each other in the service of the Lord; and especially so it will be in the latter day glory, when the watchmen shall see eye to eye, Isa 52:8;
they turned not when they went; they went everyone straight forward; they go not into the path of error and immorality; they do not become apostates from the truth; they are not of them that draw back unto perdition; they go on in the course of their ministry straightforward; let what will be in their way, nothing diverts them from it; notwithstanding all difficulties and discouragements in themselves; reproaches, afflictions, and persecutions from men; and the temptations of Satan; [See comments on Eze 1:7].
n “foemina adsororem suam”, Montanus, Polanus; “vira, [sive] mulier ad sociam suam”, so some in Vatablus.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
He says the wings were conjoined, which he soon more clearly explains: for he will say that the wings were joined together, and that two were so extended that they clothed or ruled the whole body: but here he touches shortly upon what he will soon treat more at length. Their wings then were so joined together that one touched the other: and afterwards he adds, they so went forward that they did not return; and he seems to contradict himself when he afterwards says the animals ran like lightning and then returned: but these two things are not inconsistent, for he will soon add the explanation: namely, that the animals so go forward that they proceed in a perpetual course towards their own end or goal, but it does not follow that they afterwards rest there. Therefore when the animals proceed, they do not turn aside in either one direction or another, nor do they turn back, but go straight on in their destined course afterwards, like lightning, yet they have different meetings: and what this means we have no time to explain now, but must defer it till tomorrow.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(9) Their wings were joined one to another.i.e., the outstretched right wing of one cherub was joined at its tip to the left wing of another, so that although four, they yet constituted in some sense but one creature, all moving in harmony and by a common impulse. This applies to the cherubim only when in motion; when they stood, the wings were let down (Eze. 1:24). The joining of the extremities of the outstretched wings of the cherubim recalls the arrangement in Solomons Temple (1Ki. 6:27), in which the wings of the larger cherubim touched one another above the mercy-seat.
They turned not when they went.Whichever way they wished to go, they could still go straight forward, i.e., in the direction towards which they looked, since they looked in all directions, and their round feet made it equally easy to move in any way. It would at first seem that as two of the wings of each cherub were used to cover their bodies (Eze. 1:11), the wings would have required their turning when they changed their course; but if we conceive of the four cherubim as arranged to form a square, and with their wings moving as one creature, this difficulty disappears.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
9. They turned not when they went Swift and full of activity as they were, there was a calmness and dignity in their movements. There was no hesitancy, no waywardness, no division of purpose; all moved as one, and every one “straight forward.” This active and varied life expressed itself in perfect system and order. Is this symbolic of the calm and quiet way in which all powers, natural and supernatural, fulfill Jehovah’s will? He maketh the “wrath of man” and the guardians of death to praise him. The gods of the heathen are his footstool. (See Appendix to chapter.)
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Eze 1:9. Joined one to another Of the two in front, and of the two behind, the right wing of one reached to the left wing of the other; the extremities of the expanded inner wings forming an arch.
They turned not This circumstance is repeated Eze 1:12; Eze 1:17 ch. Eze 10:11.: and is explained by its opposite, “they went every one straight forward.” The wheels and horses of chariots bend, and make a circuit, in turning: but this divine machine, actuated by one spirit, moved uniformly together; the same line being always preserved between the corresponding cherubs and wheels, the sides of the rectangle limiting the whole, being always parallel, and the same faces of each cherub always looking onward in the same direction with the face of the charioteer.
This proceeding directly on, in the same undeviating inflexible position, seems to shew their steadiness in performing the divine will, which advances to its destined goal right onwards.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Eze 1:9 Their wings [were] joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.
Ver. 9. Their wings were joined one to another. ] To show the unity of angels, the uniformity also of their motions in God’s service; there is a suitability and agreeability between them.
They turned not when they went,
They went every one straight forward.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
joined: Eze 1:11, 2Ch 3:11, 2Ch 3:12, 1Co 1:10
they turned: Eze 1:12, Eze 10:11, Eze 10:22, Pro 4:25-27, Luk 9:51, Luk 9:62
Reciprocal: Isa 6:2 – wings Eze 1:17 – and
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Eze 1:9. In symbolic language an animal or other object may be represented as doing things that are above nature, such as trees talking in Jdg 9:8-15, And here we see a creature that can fly and look in four directions at once. This is to illustrate an empire that began at some locality and then spread out in all four directions until it became a world power, Witijs were joined in-dicates the ability to fly in any and all directions at one time or as if in one concerted movement. Turned not is the same as the preceding thoughts. The creature would not need to turn about to change his direction since he has the equipment and ability for traveling in all directions at the same time.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
1:9 Their wings [were] {g} joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.
(g) The wing of the one touched the wing of the other.