Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezekiel 1:14
And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
14. Jerome testifies that this verse was not found in LXX. The verse both in regard to terminology and construction is untranslateable. The word rendered “ran” has no existence, and that translated “flash of lightning” is equally unknown. Attempts have been made to amend the verse by substituting for “ran” a real word, “went out” (yao for rao), and the ordinary word “lightning” for the unknown term so rendered (bara for baza). But such a movement to and fro or backwards and forwards of the living creatures is not suggested by anything said of them hitherto or afterwards; they could not move without a movement of the whole chariot, and such a darting about like lightning offends against that which is becoming in the divine manifestation. The verse is probably a marginal amplification of Eze 1:13, due to the error which had already crept into that verse, making it apply to the living creatures instead of to the fire between them.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 14. The living creatures ran and returned] They had a circular movement; they were in rapid motion, but did not increase their distance from the spectator. So I think this should be understood.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The living creatures; angels, ministers of the Divine pleasure, as above, Eze 1:5.
Ran; were speedy in their motions; this signified by this expression figuratively applied to angels.
Returned; yet, Eze 1:9,12, it is said they returned not, where this seeming contradiction is reconciled; the 9th and 12th verse deny their turning aside from their work, this 14th affirms they returned, i.e. when they had done their work.
As the appearance of a flash of lightning; very quick, with vehemency, splendour, and irresistible efficacy.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
14. ran and returnedIncessant,restless motion indicates the plenitude of life in these cherubim; soin Re 4:8, “they rest notday or night” (Zec 4:10).
flash of lightningrather,as distinct from “lightning” (Eze1:13), “the meteor flash,” or sheet lightning[FAIRBAIRN].
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And the living creatures ran,…. Did their work with great readiness and swiftness; so, especially in the latter day, ministers of the Gospel shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased,
Da 12:4;
and returned; for though before it is said, “they turned not when they went”, they kept straight on till they had done their work; but when they have done it, then they return, and give an account of it to him that has sent them: and their running and returning are said to be,
as the appearance of a flash of lightning; very sudden and swift.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Here the Prophet explains more clearly what would otherwise be obscure. He says that the living creatures ran, and returned like lightning: by which words he doubtless signifies their amazing swiftness. For lightning (as Christ uses that comparison when he speaks of his own Advent — Mat 24:27) goes forth from one part of the world and penetrates instantly to the opposite. Since, then, the swiftness of lightning is so great that it reaches in a moment through the immensity of heaven, for this reason the Prophet says, the living creatures ran, and returned like lightning: as if he had said, in whatever direction God wishes to impel them, they were ready to obey; as we have formerly said, angels are at hand to obey the commands of God: but we cannot comprehend the extreme swiftness of their course, unless by this comparison of lightning. Now we see how well these two things agree, that they did return and yet did not: they did not return until they had arrived, as I have already said, at the goal, because, although many hindrances occur, yet God breaks through them, so that they never interrupt his actions. The devil, indeed, by his obstacles, endeavors to compel God to recede; but here the Prophet shows that when God determines anything, the angels are ready to govern the world, and that they have so much vigor in them, that they go on constantly to the end, as far as God inspires them with his own power. Afterwards it follows —
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(14) A flash of lightning.Not only was the appearance of the cherubim thus glittering, but also their speed as they ran and returned was that of the lightning.
The vision up to this point, so far as we may venture to interpret its object, seems designed to show forth the power and activity, the irresistible energy of the agencies employed for the fulfilment of the Divine purposes, and at the same time their perfectly harmonious action, controlled by one supreme will. We now enter upon a fresh phase of the vision, in which the same things are represented still further by an additional and peculiar symbolism.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
14. This verse is probably a marginal gloss (Kautzsch). The Hebrew text is damaged and obscure. This fact did not prevent Mr. Wesley obtaining from it a high spiritual meaning: “They ran into the lower world, to do what was to be done there; and when they had done, returned as a flash of lightning to the upper world, to the vision of God. Thus we should be in the affairs of this world: though we run into them we must not repose in them, but our souls must presently return like lightning to God, their rest and center.”
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Eze 1:14 And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
Ver. 14. And the living creatures ran and returned. ] As soon as ever their work was done, they came back to him who sent them out to know his further pleasure, and to do him more service. When the angel had lessoned the good women about our Saviour’s resurrection, he biddeth them “go quickly and tell his disciples,” &c., and then dismisseth them, with “Lo, I have told you,” Mat 28:6-7 q.d., Begone now about your business, you have your full errand; why linger ye? pack away.
As the appearance of a flash of lightning.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
ran and returned: or kept running and returning. Hebrew is Inf. by Heterosis (of Mood), App-6.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Psa 147:15, Dan 9:21, Zec 2:3, Zec 2:4, Zec 4:10, Mat 24:27, Mat 24:31, Mar 13:27
Reciprocal: Eze 10:15 – This Dan 10:6 – his face Heb 1:7 – Who Rev 14:6 – another
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Eze 1:14. Ran and returned does not mean they went back to their starting place, for history does not bear out that idea, The word denotes a successful traveling over the civi-lized world. Flash of lightning is not user! to indicate that it waa only a flash and then soon over. The comparison is to the universal presence of the creatures. This comparison to the general and simultaneous appearance of lightning is used in Matthew 24; Matthew 27 and Revelation 1; Revelation 7.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
1:14 And the living beings ran and {i} returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
(i) That is, when they had executed God’s will: for before they returned not till God had changed the state of things.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
The four living beings themselves darted about in Ezekiel’s vision like bolts of lightning. Perhaps this presages the prophet’s message of God’s burning judgment on Judah. [Note: Dyer, "Ezekiel," p. 1228.]
"These spiritual beings who were part angel, part human, and part animal were fitting representatives of the whole created order. Their activity affirmed the relationship of God to his creation as Lord of all things. This idea was vital in helping Ezekiel and the captives in exile and the people in Judah understand that in the midst of the storms of life, God was still on his throne. He was not oblivious to their circumstances." [Note: Cooper, p. 67.]