Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezekiel 1:15
Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces.
15. beheld the living creatures ] lit. and I saw the living creatures and behold. LXX. reads, and I saw and behold precisely as ch. Eze 8:2, Eze 10:1; Eze 10:9.
by the living creatures ] beside, as R.V.
with his four faces ] lit. according to, or, at his four faces. LXX. reads, to these four, as Eze 1:10, which is simpler. In the present text the “four faces” must be those of each one of the living creatures. The general sense appears to be that for each face of the individual living creature there was a wheel. The appearance would be so if the wheel really seemed two wheels cutting one another transversely. The position of the living creature was above the wheel, though the rim of the wheel might be higher than his feet (Eze 10:2).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
15 21. The Four Wheels
The prophet saw four wheels beside the four living creatures, one wheel beside each creature. The wheels touched the ground, and were all alike, having the appearance of tarshish-stone. The construction of each appeared as if a wheel were within a wheel, that is, each of the four wheels looked like two wheels, cutting each other at right angles. In this way each of the four wheels had a rim or circumference facing each of the four directions, just as the living creature had a face looking in each direction, so that toward whatever quarter the chariot moved four wheels seemed to be running in that direction. Their felloes were full of eyes. The movements of the wheels corresponded entirely with those of the living creatures, they went, rose, or stood still according as the living creatures did. The wheels were not inanimate, but part of the living chariot of God; the “spirit” of the living creature was also in the wheels.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Translate it: one wheel upon the earth by each of the liviing creatures on his four sides (i. e. on the four sides of each of the living creatures). There was a wheel to each of the living creatures: it was set by, i. e. immediately beneath the feet of the living creature, and was constructed for direct motion in any of the four lines in which the creatures themselves moved. Their work or make, i. e. their construction, was a wheel in the middle of a wheel; the wheel was composed of two circumferences set at right angles to each other, like the equator and meridian upon a globe. A wheel so placed and constructed did its part alike on each side of the living creature beneath which it stood. The ten bases of the temple 1Ki 7:27-36 were constructed with lions, oxen, and cherubim, between the ledges and wheels at the four corners attached beneath so as to move like the wheels of a chariot.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Eze 1:15-16
One wheel upon the earth by the living creatures.
No stability in the world
The four living creatures denoted the four parts of the world, and their agencies in them and by them: now are presented the wheels; every living creature had a wheel by it: and this strongly implies that there are wheelings, turnings, and changes in all parts; yea, the very same that are in one part are at one time or other in another part. The wheels are alike. Are wars, plagues, famine in one country? they are, or will be, in another. Do men die here? so in all parts. Are men unfaithful now? so they were of old. Are there unseasonable times here? such are abroad. Are things carried by violence, oppression, injustice here? so they are elsewhere. Are there designs, plots upon our kingdom and Church? so there are upon others. Whatever befalls one state, befalls another, internally and externally. The wheels are the same, and move alike, though sometimes backward in one part of the world and forward in another; there is no stability anywhere, but all things are changing. In vain, then, do men travel the world to find certainty and content in it; in vain do we go up and down, here and there, thinking to find settledness, and something satisfactory. The world is like itself everywhere; go east or west, and there is nothing but a wheel, and a wheel running. We must not look for stability, content, certainty, among the wheels, but above them: now it is not time to look about and abroad, but to look above the world and the wheels of it. If we have tribulation in the world, we may have peace in Christ. (W. Greenhill, M. A.)
Symbols of Divine Providence
The sum of this celestial vision is that the Divine Providence doth rule in the world, and is exercised in all parts thereof, and not only in heaven, or in the temple, or in Jewry, as the Jews then thought. As for the changes in the world, which are here compared to wheels, they befall not by haphazard, but are effected by God, though all things may seem to run upon wheels, and to fall out as it fortuneth. At the day of judgment, at utmost, men shall see a harmony in this discord of things, and Providence shall then he unriddled. Meanwhile, God oft wrappeth Himself in a cloud, and will not he seen till afterwards. All Gods dealings be sure will appear beautiful in their season, though for the present we see not the contiguity and linking together of one thing with another. (J. Trapp.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 15. One wheel upon the earth] It seems at first view there were four wheels, one for each of the living creatures; that is, the creatures were compound, so were the wheels, for there was “a wheel in the middle of a wheel.” And it is generally supposed that these wheels cut each other at right angles up and down: and this is the manner in which they are generally represented; but most probably the wheel within means merely the nave in which the spokes are inserted, in reference to the ring, rim, or periphery, where these spokes terminate from the centre or nave. I do think this is what is meant by the wheel within a wheel; and I am the more inclined to this opinion, by some fine Chinese drawings now before me, where their deities are represented as walking upon wheels, the wheels themselves encompassed with fire. The wheel is simply by itself having a projecting axis; so of these it is said, “their appearance and their work was, as it were, a wheel within a wheel.” There were either two peripheries or rims with their spokes, or the nave answered for the wheel within. I have examined models of what are called Ezekiel’s wheels, which are designed to move equally in all directions: but I plainly saw that this was impossible; nor can any kind of complex wheel move in this way.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Now; or, and; it is a transition from the former to the latter part of the vision.
I beheld; considered and observed.
Behold; it calls for our attention.
One wheel; or a certain wheel of spherical form, as some; of a circular form, as the wheels of chariots, say others. It is one wheel, intimating that all the different causes and motions, how many soever in themselves, yet work the same work, and are governed as easily in their various motions, as one single wheel might be, and that God doth so govern them.
Upon the earth; not that we tread on, but that which in this vision was represented to the prophet; for it was here as it is in landscapes or pictures drawn, there is that which represents the earth, on which trees, men, or chariots seem to be upon. By the living creatures; by each of these living creatures stood one wheel, so that they were four in number, according to the number of the living creatures.
With his four faces: by this it appears each wheel had its four faces, of which more in the 17th verse, where what is here called faces is there called sides.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
15. one wheelThe “dreadfulheight” of the wheel (Eze1:18) indicates the gigantic, terrible energy of the complicatedrevolutions of God’s providence, bringing about His purposes withunerring certainty. One wheel appeared traversely within another, sothat the movement might be without turning, whithersoever the livingcreatures might advance (Eze 1:17).Thus each wheel was composed of two circles cutting one another atright angles, “one” only of which appeared to touch theground (“upon the earth”), according to the direction thecherubim desired to move in.
with his four facesrather,”according to its four faces” or sides; as there wasa side or direction to each of the four creatures, so there was awheel for each of the sides [FAIRBAIRN].The four sides or semicircles of each composite wheel pointed, as thefour faces of each of the living creatures, to the four quarters ofheaven. HAVERNICK refers”his” or “its” to the wheels. The cherubimand their wings and wheels stood in contrast to the symbolicalfigures, somewhat similar, then existing in Chaldea, and found in theremains of Assyria. The latter, though derived from the originalrevelation by tradition, came by corruption to symbolize theastronomical zodiac, or the sun and celestial sphere, by a circlewith wings or irradiations. But Ezekiel’s cherubim rise above naturalobjects, the gods of the heathen, to the representation of the onetrue God, who made and continually upholds them.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Now as I beheld the living creatures,…. While he had the vision of them, and when he was considering their form and likeness, and what should be the meaning of them:
behold, one wheel upon the earth; the Jews r understand this of an angel, who stood upon the earth, and his head reached to the living creatures, and his name is Sandalphon; and so many expositors interpret the wheels of angels: but the more common interpretation of them is, that they design the visible world, and all things in it, which are movable and uncertain; though the true interpretation of them, as of the living creatures, is to be fetched from the vision in the fourth chapter of Revelation and as the four living creatures here are the same with the four beasts there; so the wheels are the same with the four and twenty elders, the representatives of Gospel churches, as appears by both being in the same situation; as there is a throne, and next to that the four beasts, and next to them the four and twenty elders, Re 4:3; here also is a throne, and next to the throne the four living creatures or cherubim, and next the living creatures, and by the side of them the wheels, Eze 10:1; and this is further manifest by their being both under the same influence and motion; as the four beasts were the first agents and movers, and the four and twenty elders were directed by them, who went before them in their devotion, Re 4:9; so the wheels moved as the living creatures did; when the living creatures went, they went; when they stood, the wheels stood; and when the creatures were lifted up, the wheels were also, Eze 1:19; and the wheels are a very proper emblem of churches under the Gospel dispensation; partly for their round form, a symbol of perfection; the churches of Christ being more perfect under the gospel dispensation than the church was under the legal one: and partly for their movableness from place to place; churches are not always in the same place; they have been removed from Judea into the Gentile world; and they have wheeled about there, sometimes in one place, and sometimes in another: as also for their changeable state and situation; being sometimes in prosperity, and sometimes in adversity: likewise for the work done by them; many things are done by the help and with the use of wheels; much work is done in and by the churches of Christ; here the Gospel is preached, ordinances administered, divine worship in all its parts performed, sinners are converted, and saints are edified and comforted; and as, when wheels are in motion, they make a great noise and rattling; so when there is any great work going on in the churches of Christ, it makes a great noise in the world; as at the first preaching and spread of the Gospel, both in Judea, and among the Gentiles; and at the time of the Reformation; and as there will be when antichrist shall be destroyed, and the Gospel shall be spread all the world over,
Re 19:1; to which may be added, that these wheels, together with the cherubim or living creatures, make a chariot; and as the cherubim in the temple are called the chariot of the cherubim, 1Ch 28:18; so the author of Ecclesiasticus in the Apocrypha,
“It was Ezekiel who saw the glorious vision, which was shewed him upon the chariot of the cherubims.” (Sirach 49:8)
says, that Ezekiel was shown the glorious vision upon the chariot of the cherubim; and nothing is more common with the Jews than to call this vision of Ezekiel , “mercavah”, or “chariot”. So in the Targum on 1Ki 7:33; it is said,
“the work of the wheels was as the work of the wheels of the glorious chariot;”
meaning this in Ezekiel; and a chariot is a fit emblem of the churches of Christ, in which he rides about the world, and does his work; see So 3:9; and though but one wheel is here mentioned, yet it appears that there were “four”, as in Eze 1:16; a wheel by every living creature; so though there is but one general assembly and church of the firstborn written in heaven, of which Christ is the head, and for which he gave himself; yet there are many particular congregated churches, which may be signified by the number “four”; partly with respect to the four parts of the world, where Christ has an interest, and which will more manifestly appear in the latter day; and partly with respect to the four living creatures, a wheel to every cherub, a church to every minister and pastor; for though sometimes there have been more pastors than one to a church, when large, yet never more than one church under the care of one pastor: moreover, this wheel or wheels were seen “upon the earth”; which is observed, to distinguish the church militant from the church triumphant in heaven; and to point out the place where the churches are; which though they consist of men that are not of the world, yet they are in the world: as also to denote the firmness of them; they are on the earth, not in the air or sea, where wheels cannot move and rolls; but upon “terra firma”, and that to the churches, is Christ Jesus; and may also signify, that the mutability and movableness of churches are only while they are on earth, in, the present state of things: it follows,
by the living creatures: that is, the wheel or wheels were seen by the side of the living creatures; which is more fully expressed in
Eze 10:9; churches are placed by the ministers of the Gospel, to direct them in matters of faith and worship; to put them in motion; to stir them up to the exercise of grace, and the discharge of duty; to watch over them in the Lord; and to feed them with spiritual knowledge and understanding:
with his four faces; either the living creatures; and so the Vulgate Latin version renders it, “having four faces”: and the meaning is that the wheel or wheels were on, the four sides of the living creatures: or rather, as Jarchi, the wheels, four faces; for upon every wheel there were the same four faces as were in the living creatures, as, is clear from Eze 10:13; there being a great likeness between Gospel churches and Gospel ministers: the “first” was the face of a “cherub” or “ox”; which may denote the patience of Gospel churches, and the members thereof, in bearing afflictions, reproaches, and persecutions, for the sake of Christ; their meditation on the word of God continually, the ox being a creature that chews the cud; and their constancy and laboriousness in the work of the Lord: the “second” was the face of a “man”; which may be expressive of their knowledge and understanding of divine and spiritual things; and of their tenderheartedness, sympathy, and compassion, one towards another, in distressed circumstances: the “third” was the face of a “lion”; signifying their boldness and intrepidity in, the cause of Christ, and the profession of his name: and the “fourth” was the face of an “eagle”; showing that they mount up on the wings of faith and love, as on eagles’ wings; that they soar aloft, and dwell on high, and have their affections set on things in heaven, and not on earth. Cocceius interprets the wheel or wheels of the word of God, and the course of the ministry of it, under the influence of the Spirit; and so Starckius of late.
r T. Bab. Chagiga, fol. 13. 2.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
| The Vision of the Wheels. | B. C. 595. |
15 Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces. 16 The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel. 17 When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went. 18 As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four. 19 And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up. 20 Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. 21 When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. 22 And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above. 23 And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other: every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies. 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 a host: when they stood, they let down their wings. 25 And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings.
The prophet is very exact in making and recording his observations concerning this vision. And here we have,
I. The notice he took of the wheels, v. 15-21. The glory of God appears not only in the splendour of his retinue in the upper world, but in the steadiness of his government here in this lower world. Having seen how God does according to his will in the armies of heaven, let us now see how he does according to it among the inhabitants of the earth; for there, on the earth, the prophet saw the wheels, v. 15. As he beheld the living creatures, and was contemplating the glory of that vision and receiving instruction from it, this other vision presented itself to his view. Note, Those who make a good use of the discoveries God has favoured them with may expect further discoveries; for to him that hath shall be given. We are sometimes tempted to think there is nothing glorious but what is in the upper world, whereas, could we with an eye of faith discern the beauty of Providence and the wisdom, power, and goodness, which shine in the administration of that kingdom, we should see, and say, Verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth and acts like himself. There are many things in this vision which give us some light concerning the divine Providence. 1. The dispensations of Providence are compared to wheels, either the wheels of a chariot, in which the conqueror rides in triumph, or rather the wheels of a clock or watch, which all contribute to the regular motion of the machine. We read of the course or wheel of nature (James iii. 6), which is here set before us as under the direction of the God of nature. Wheels, though they move not of themselves, as the living creatures do, are yet made movable and are almost continually kept in action. Providence, represented by these wheels, produces changes; sometimes one spoke of the wheel is uppermost and sometimes another; but the motion of the wheel on its own axletree, like that of the orbs above, is very regular and steady. The motion of the wheels is circular; by the revolutions of Providence things are brought to the same posture and pass which they were in formerly; for the thing that is is that which has been, and there is no new thing under the sun,Ecc 1:9; Ecc 1:10. 2. The wheel is said to be by the living creatures, who attended it to direct its motion; for the angels are employed as the ministers of God’s providence, and have a greater hand in directing the motions of second causes to serve the divine purpose than we think they have. Such a close connexion is there between the living creatures and the wheels that they moved and rested together. Were angels busily employed? Men were busily employed as instruments in their hand, whether of mercy or judgment, though they themselves were not aware of it. Or, Are men active to compass their designs? Angels at the same time are acting to control and overrule them. This is much insisted on here (v. 19): When the living creatures went, to bring about any business, the wheels went by them; when God has work to do by the ministry of angels second causes are all found, or made, ready to concur in it; and (v. 21) when those stood these stood; when the angels had done their work the second causes had done theirs. If the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, were elevated to any service above the common course of nature and out of the ordinary road (as suppose in the working of miracles, the dividing of the water, the standing still of the sun), the wheels, contrary to their own natural tendency, which is towards the earth, move in concert with them, and are lifted up over against them; this is thrice mentioned, v. 19-21. Note, All inferior creatures are, and move, and act, as the Creator, by the ministration of angels, directs and influences them. Visible effects are managed and governed by invisible causes. The reason given of this is because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels; the same wisdom, power, and holiness of God, the same will and counsel of his, that guides and governs the angels and all their performances, does, by them, order and dispose of all the motions of the creatures in this lower world and the events and issues of them. God is the soul of the world, and animates the whole, both that above and that beneath, so that they move in perfect harmony, as the upper and lower parts of the natural body do, so that whithersoever the Spirit is to go (whatever God wills and purposes to be done and brought to pass) thither their spirit is to go; that is, the angels, knowingly and designedly, set themselves to bring it about. And their spirit is in the wheels, which are therefore lifted up over against them; that is, both the powers of nature and the wills of men are all made to serve the intention, which they infallibly and irresistibly effect, though perhaps they mean not so, neither doth their heart think so,Isa 10:7; Mic 4:11; Mic 4:12. Thus, though the will of God’s precept be not done on earth as it is done in heaven, yet the will of his purpose and counsel is, and shall be. 3. The wheel is said to have four faces, looking four several ways (v. 15), denoting that the providence of God exerts itself in all parts of the world, east, west, north, and south, and extends itself to the remotest corners of it. Look which way you will upon the wheel of Providence, and it has a face towards you, a beautiful one, which you may admire the features and complexion of; it looks upon you as ready to speak to you, if you be but ready to hear the voice of it; like a well-drawn picture, it has an eye upon all that have an eye upon it. The wheel had so four faces that it had in it four wheels, which went upon their four sides, v. 17. At first Ezekiel saw it as one wheel (v. 15), one sphere; but afterwards he saw it was four, but they four had one likeness (v. 16); not only they were like one another, but they were as if they had been one. This intimates, (1.) That one event of providence is like another; what happens to us is that which is common to men and what we are not to think strange. (2.) That various events have a tendency to the same issue and concur to answer the same intention. 4. Their appearance and their work are said to be like the colour of a beryl (v. 16), the colour of Tarshish (so the word is), that is, of the sea; the beryl is of that colour, sea-green; blue Neptune we call it. The nature of things in this world is like that of the sea, which is in a continual flux and yet there is a constant coherence and succession of its parts. There is a chain of events which is always drawing one way or other. The sea ebbs and flows, so does Providence in its disposals, but always in the stated appointed times and measures. The sea looks blue, as the air does, because of the shortness and feebleness of our sight, which can see but a little way of either; to that colour therefore are the appearance and work of Providence fitly compared, because we cannot find out that which God does from the beginning to the end, Eccl. iii. 11. We see but parts of his ways (Job xxvi. 14), and all beyond looks blue, which gives us to understand no more concerning it but that in truth we know it not; it is far above out of our sight. 5. Their appearance and their work are likewise said to be as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel. Observe here again, Their appearance to the prophet is designed to set forth what their work really is. Men’s appearance and their work often differ, but the appearance of God’s providence and its work agree; if they seem to differ, it is through our ignorance and mistake. Now both were as a wheel in a wheel, a less wheel moved by a greater. We pretend not to give a mathematical description of it. The meaning is that the disposals of Providence seem to us intricate, perplexed, and unaccountable, and yet that they will appear in the issue to have been all wisely ordered for the best; so that though what God does we know not now, yet we shall know hereafter, John xiii. 7. 6. The motion of these wheels, like that of the living creatures, was steady, regular, and constant: They returned not when they went (v. 17), because they never went amiss, nor otherwise than they should do. God, in his providence, takes his work before him, and he will have it forward; and it is going on even when it seems to us to be going backward. They went as the Spirit directed them, and therefore returned not. We should not have occasion to return back as we have, and to undo that by repentance which we have done amiss, and to do it over again, if we were but led by the Spirit and followed his direction. The Spirit of life (so some read it) was in the wheels, which carried them on with ease and evenness, and then they returned not when they went. 7. The rings, or rims, of the wheels were so high that they were dreadful, v. 18. They were of a vast circumference, so that when they were reared, and put in motion, the prophet was even afraid to look upon them. Note, The vast compass of God’s thought, and the vast reach of his design, are really astonishing; when we go about to describe the circle of Providence we are struck with amazement and are even swallowed up. O the height and depth of God’s councils! The consideration of them should strike an awe upon us. 8. They were full of eyes round about. This circumstance of the vision is most surprising of all, and yet most significant, plainly denoting that the motions of Providence are all directed by infinite wisdom. The issues of things are not determined by a blind fortune, but by those eyes of the Lord which run to and fro through the earth, and are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Note, It is a great satisfaction to us, and ought to be so, that, though we cannot account for the springs and tendencies of events, yet they are all under the cognizance and direction of an all-wise all-seeing God.
II. The notice he took of the firmament above over the heads of the living creatures. When he saw the living creatures moving, and the wheels by them, he looked up, as it is proper for us to do when we observe the various motions of providence in this lower world; looking up, he saw the firmament stretched forth over the heads of the living creatures, v. 22. What is done on earth is done under the heaven (as the scripture often speaks), under its inspection and influence. Observe, 1. What he saw: The firmament was as the colour of the terrible crystal, truly glorious, but terribly so; the vastness and brightness of it put the prophet into an amazement and struck him with an awful reverence. The terrible ice, or frost (so it may be read), the colour of snow congealed, or as mountains of ice in the northern seas, which are very frightful. Daring sinners ask, Can God judge through the dark cloud? Job xxii. 13. But that which we take to be a dark cloud is to him transparent as crystal, through which, from the place of his habitation, he looks upon all the inhabitants of the earth, Ps. xxxiii. 14. Under the firmament he saw the wings of the living creatures erect, v. 23. When they pleased they used them either for flight or for covering. God is on high, above the firmament; the angels are under the firmament, which denotes their subjection to God’s dominion and their readiness to fly on his errands in the open firmament of heaven, and to serve him unanimously. 2. What he heard. (1.) He heard the noise of the angels’ wings, v. 24. Bees and other insects make a great noise with the vibration of their wings; here the angels do so, to awaken the attention of the prophet to that which God was about to say to him from the firmament, v. 25. Angels, by the providences they are employed in, sound God’s alarms to the children of men and stir them up to hear his voice; for that is it that cries in the city and is heard and understood by the men of wisdom. The noise of their wings was loud and terrible, as the noise of great waters (like the rout or roaring of the sea), and as the noise of a host, the noise of war; but it was articulate and intelligible, and did not give an uncertain sound; for it was the voice of speech; nay, it was as the voice of the Almighty, for God, by his providences, speaks once, yea, twice, if we could by perceive it, Job xxxiii. 14. The Lord’s voice cries, Mic. vi. 9. (2.) He heard a voice from the firmament, from him that sits upon the throne there, v. 25. When the angels moved they made a noise with their wings; but, when with that they had roused a careless world, they stood still, and let down their wings, that there might be a profound silence, and so God’s voice might be the better heard. The voice of Providence is designed to open men’s ears to the voice of the word, to do the office of the crier, who with a loud voice charges silence while the judge passes sentence. He that has ears to hear, let him hear. Note, Noises on earth should awaken our attention to the voice from the firmament; for how shall we escape if we turn away from him that speaks from heaven!
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
THE WHEELS ROLL ON, v. 15-21
Verse 15 explains that Ezekiel saw four wheels upon the ground, with one of dreadful light, in close proximity to each of the four living creatures, which had four faces each, of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle, v. 10. Wheels symbolize supreme power, as used in the Scriptures, and later by the Hindus and Buddists, Eze 10:9.
Verse 16 further explains that each of the four wheels had a wheel inset in it, at right angles, making each wheel a double wheel. The appearance of the sets of wheels and their movements was brilliant, like a beryl or crystalite, a semi-precious stone, Dan 10:6. The stone was used in the breastplate of the high priest, Exo 28:20; Son 5:14.
Verse 17 describes their movement as being on four sides, meaning they could move in any direction, unimpeded, or without turning around. The inner wheels did not obstruct the outer wheels.
Verse 18 relates that their rings, felloes, or circumference were so high from the ground that they were dreadful or much to be feared, And each of the four great or outer wheel circles had a full circle of eyes about its circumference. This implies that God sees all and does nothing by blind impulse, as further described Eze 10:12; Zec 4:10. Eyes are symbols of intelligence, beholding “both evil and good”, Pro 15:3.
Verse 19 asserts that when the four living creatures went forward or moved out, the four sets of wheels moved with them or alongside, accompanying them. And when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, or elevated, the wheels were lifted up and rolled on by and in support of them, 1Co 3:9.
Verse 20 continues to affirm that the spirit of the four living creatures was in the wheels. The wheels, or sets of wheels, were energized by the uniform, actuating, or driving power of the living creatures, sometimes referred to .as the Cheribum. They represented Gentile powers for purposes of judgment in the hands of God.
Verse 21 concludes that the four living creatures and the four sets of wheels were generated or propelled in conjunction, wherever they moved upon the earth or above the earth, by the same spirit or source of generating power.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
Now the Prophet descends to the wheels which were joined to the living creatures. Each had a double wheel, as we shall see afterwards — that is, one wheel rolling upon another. The Prophet did not notice at one glance that the wheels stood near the living creatures, and this is occasioned by the magnitude of the vision. For although he was attentive, and God doubtless gave him understanding by his Spirit, and although he was taken up, as it were, into heaven, yet inasmuch as he could not at once embrace so great a vision he was convicted of infirmity. Then this wonderful secret was set before him, that he might attend to the whole spectacle with greater reverence. He says, therefore, when he had fixed his eyes upon the living creatures, immediately the wheels appeared He uses indeed the singular number, but afterwards declares, there were four wheels. And now he removes all doubt: behold, says he, one wheel — how one wheel? thus, near each living creature, at right angles, at the face of each (39) We see, then, that there was a wheel to each animal: this is easily gathered from the Prophet’s words. I explained yesterday what God meant to represent to his servant and to us by these wheels: namely, the changes which constantly occur in the world. For if we consider what the condition of the world is, we may correctly compare it to a sea, and even a tempestuous one. For as the sea is subject to opposite winds, and hence storms are excited, so also since there is nothing firm or calm in the world, its condition is a perpetual change like the turning of a wheel. The wheels stood near the Angels, because the world is governed by the secret inspiration of God. When all things seem to roll round by a blind and rash chance, yet God has his servants who regulate all their motions, so that nothing is confused, nothing discomposed. This, then, is the reason why the wheels went forward and stood near the Angels, as he immediately repeats again. Now follows —
(39) Latin, ad quatuor adfaciem cujusque , by which Calvin seems to mean that each wheel intersected another at right angles, the four spherical parts thus becoming four faces or sides. The French translation has in the text aux quatre , and in the comments a quatre a la face d’ un chacun
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
C. The Wheels 1:1521
TRANSLATION
(15) Now as I saw the living creatures, behold one wheel on the earth beside each of the living creatures on its four sides. (16) The appearance of the wheels and their works was like the color of topaz and the four of them had one likeness; and their appearance and their works were as a wheel in the middle of a wheel. (17) When they went, they went toward their four sides, they did not turn about in their going. (18) As for their rims, they were high and awesome and their rims were filled with eyes round about the four of them. (19) And when the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them, and when the living creatures were lifted Up from upon the earth, the wheels were lifted up. (20) Wherever the Spirit was to go, they went; thither was the spirit to go and the wheels lifted Up opposite them for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. (21) In their going, they went, and in their standing still, they stood still. And when they were lifted up from upon the earth, the wheels were lifted up opposite them for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.
COMMENTS
By, i.e., under, each of the living creatures was a wheel (Eze. 1:15). These wheels were so constructed as to facilitate movement in any direction. They were omnidirectional wheels. In appearance these wheels resembled topaz (Heb., tarshish).[88] Each wheel actually consisted of two wheels, i.e., a wheel in the middle of a wheel. The two wheels were probably solid discs which bisected each other at right angles (Eze. 1:16). This would produce a ballbearing-type effect which would allow movement of the wheels in any direction without being turned (Eze. 1:17). Apparently there was no steering mechanism connected to these wheels. The symbolism of this detail is more clear than the mechanics. The wheels are directed by the Spirit of God. Amid all the uncertainties and tragedies of life, the Spirit of God is at work providentially directing all discordant aspects of life,
[88] Opinions differ on the identity of this stone. Jasper and beryl have been suggested, The ancient versions have chrysolite, whatever that may have been,
The rims (gabbehen) of the wheels were high, i.e., the wheels were huge in comparison to the entire chariot.[89] Owing to the fact that they were full of eyes, the rims were terrifying (Eze. 1:18).[90] The eyes may have been no more than dazzling spots which added to the brilliancy of the wheels. But it seems more likely that they had a symbolical meaning. The eye in the ancient world was a symbol of intelligence. God sees and knows what is happening throughout His world, including the camps of Jewish captives in Mesopotamia.
[89] Some have seen in the word high the power of raising the throne chariot. Something like hydraulic wheels may be intended.
[90] The RSV emends the text of Eze. 1:18 so that it reads The four wheels had rims and they had spokes. The Hebrew text In Eze. 1:18 is difficult, but this in no way justifies the arbitrary change of the RSV.
The wheels of the throne-chariot were not functional. In fact, the only reason the wheels are mentioned is so that the chariot imagery could be maintained. That the wheels were not essential to the movements of the throne-chariot is seen in the fact that the vehicle travelled in the air and not on the ground. Ellison[91] suggests that the wheels symbolize inanimate nature just as the four cherubim represent the living creation. In ancient Jewish teaching the wheels were thought to symbolize some order of heavenly beings.[92] The significance of the wheels is really quite simple. They are obviously symbols of movement. God is not restricted to heaven, nor to any particular spot on earth. The wheels thus symbolize the omnipresence of the Almighty.
[91] Ellison, EMM, p. 25.
[92] See the pseudepigraphic Book of Enoch 61:10; 70:7
Eze. 1:19-21 emphasize the mobility of Gods throne-chariot. The wheels themselves had no capacity for independent movement. They always moved in conjunction with the living creatures (Eze. 1:19). The creatures in turn were under the control of the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God was in the creatures, and the spirit of the creatures,[93] as it were, was in the wheels (Eze. 1:20). There is no indication that the wheels were attached to the living creatures. To emphasize the co-ordination of the wheels and creatures, Eze. 1:21 repeats and amplifies the thought that when the creatures moved in any direction, the wheels moved with them.
[93] A singular is used in Eze. 1:20 in a collective sense as in Eze. 10:20,
The main point being emphasized in this description of the mobility of Gods throne-chariot is this: God is omnipresent. He is not earth-bound. The effortless mobility of Gods throne-chariot is a way of depicting the grand theological theme of Gods omnipresence.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(15) Behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures.The prophet sees this while still looking intently upon the cherubim as I beheld the living creatures showing that it was still a part of one and the same vision. The wheel was one in the same sense in which the living creatures were one, yet actually four, as appears from the following verse and the whole subsequent description. In the corresponding vision (Eze. 10:9), they are at once described as four. The cherubim had been seen in the cloud (Eze. 1:4-5); now they need to be connected below with the earth, and presently (Eze. 1:26) above, with the throne of God. Therefore the wheel is upon the earth, but of a great height (Eze. 1:18). There was a wheel in front of each of the cherubim, again forming a square, yet so that, as already said, they might in a sense be all considered as one wheel. Reference has been made for the origin of this imagery to the wheels under the ten bases of Solomons Temple (1Ki. 7:32-33); but there seems to be nothing either in size or form to correspond, and, so far as we know, the imagery here is purely original.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
15. Wheel A new part of the picture is here introduced. In connection with each living creature is a wheel. The carefulness with which these are described proves their symbolic importance. The wheel is moved by the same spirit as the creature.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon earth beside the living creatures, for each of their four faces. The appearance of the wheels and their work was like the colour of topaz, and they four had one likeness, and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel within a wheel. When they went they went to their four sides. They did not turn when they went.’
By each living creature was a wheel, each similar to the other, yet not like an earthly wheel, although it rode upon the earth, for seemingly the wheels went all ways. We cannot be fully sure what the description meant, but the principle is clear. They were splendid, like gleaming yellow topaz or chrysolite, they rolled over the earth bearing the platform on which was God’s throne, they could go all ways, and they went forward without turning to one side or the other. It was the divine chariot of God. There may be some connection with whirlwinds for in chapter 10 they are called ‘the whirlers’, possibly likening them to whirlwinds.
Note the continued emphasis on the fact that its path never deviated. As Ezekiel watched, it came inevitably and inexorably on. Nothing could stop it.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
The Four-Faced Wheels and the Four Creatures.
v. 15. Now, as I beheld the living creatures, v. 16. The appearance of the wheels and their work, v. 17. When they went, they went upon their four sides, v. 18. As for their rings, v. 19. And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them, v. 20. Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go, v. 21. When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, v. 22. And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the color of the terrible crystal, v. 23. And under the firmament were their wings straight, v. 24. v. 24. And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings like the noise of great waters, v. 25. And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, v. 26. And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, v. 27. And I saw as the color of amber, v. 28. As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Eze 1:15-21. Behold one wheel upon the earth The prophet now proceeds to describe the wheels of this chariot borne by the living creatures. “Now, as I contemplated these living creatures (says he) there appeared upon the ground a wheel, near each of them by their four faces; each living creature had his wheel near him: that appearance and their work were as if a wheel had been in the midst of a wheel,” Eze 1:16 like two circles in a sphere, cutting each other at right angles; to signify, says a commentator, the liability and uniformity of their motion, and the subserviency of one part of providence to another, Eze 1:17. When they went, they went by the sides of those four living creatures, nor in going did they change their situation, each wheel still continuing in its proper place by the side of the living creature. Houbigant renders the 18th verse, Their spokes were at equal distances; and when I beheld them, their felloes were full of eyes round about in them four. These wheels went whither the living creatures went, carried by the same powerful wind which bore the living creatures along. See Eze 1:12. In reading this passage we should remember that the prophets commonly speak in a very lofty and figurative style; and there is nothing more agreeable to sublime and poetic description, than what we here read in our prophet, concerning the chariot of the Almighty, borne on the wings of the wind, to execute his commands. See Psa 18:8-10.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Eze 1:15 Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces.
Ver. 15. Behold one wheel upon the earth. ] Things here below are exceedingly mutable, and therefore compared to wheels, because they may seem to run on wheels, and to have no certain course, but to be turned upside down eftsoons; such is the various, promiscuous administration of them, to many men’s thinking. To set us right herein, here we have the vision of the four wheels; for each of the four living wights had a wheel by him, Eze 1:16 ; Eze 10:9 to show that God governeth all the four quarters of the world by the ministry of his angels. This the poets hammered at, but hit not on, in their foolish fable of Fortune’s wheel. St James speaketh of the wheel ( ) of nature; Jam 3:6 and, indeed, this world is of a wheeling nature, movable and mutable. But God, who moves this wheel, who ruleth the world, is unchangeable and eternal, Jam 1:17 and his providence and the ministry of his angels sets all the wheels in the world in motion.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Eze 1:15-21
15Now as I looked at the living beings, behold, there was one wheel on the earth beside the living beings, for each of the four of them. 16The appearance of the wheels and their workmanship was like sparkling beryl, and all four of them had the same form, their appearance and workmanship being as if one wheel were within another. 17Whenever they moved, they moved in any of their four directions without turning as they moved. 18As for their rims they were lofty and awesome, and the rims of all four of them were full of eyes round about. 19Whenever the living beings moved, the wheels moved with them. And whenever the living beings rose from the earth, the wheels rose also. 20Wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go in that direction. And the wheels rose close beside them; for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels. 21Whenever those went, these went; and whenever those stood still, these stood still. And whenever those rose from the earth, the wheels rose close beside them; for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels.
Eze 1:15-19 full of eyes round about These wheels were beside the angelic beings (Eze 1:15). There seems to be a wheel within a wheel at right angles to each other (Eze 1:16), which symbolized immediate mobility (cf. Eze 1:17; Eze 10:11). The eyes around each wheel symbolizes the omniscience of God (cf. Eze 10:12). From Babylonian literature eyes on wheels referred to jewels (cf. The IVP Bible Background Commentary, p. 691). In Eze 1:19 the chariot throne rises from the earth that shows it is not earthbound (cf. Eze 10:16-17).
Ezekiel tries to describe the wheels.
1. eight wheels
2. two beside each cherub
3. made of beryl (BDB 1076, cf. Eze 10:9; Exo 28:30; Exo 39:13; Son 5:14; Dan 10:6)
4. full of eyes (from Rev. 10:12 and Rev 4:6; Rev 4:8 there were also eyes on the living creatures)
5. all of them were alike (Eze 1:16)
The God of creation and covenant is not limited to the Promised Land! He goes and knows!
In Daniel’s vision of heaven the Ancient of Days (i.e., YHWH) is also connected to fiery wheels (cf. Dan 7:9) and angels (Dan 7:10).
Eze 1:20-21 See note at Eze 1:12. The word spirit (BDB 924) is being used in two senses.
1. God (i.e., in metaphor of spirit, Eze 1:12; Eze 1:20)
2. the living creatures (Eze 1:21)
Spirit, in this context, is a way of expressing life/personality/being.
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
behold. Figure of speech Asterismes. App-6.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Eze 1:15-21
Eze 1:15-21
“Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold, one wheel upon the earth beside the living creatures, for each of the four faces thereof. The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto a beryl: and they four had one likeness; and their appearance and their work were as it were a wheel within a wheel. When they went, they went in their four directions: they turned not when they went. As for their rims, they were high and dreadful; and they four had their rims full of eyes round about. And when the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up. Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went; thither was the spirit to go: and the wheels were lifted up beside them; for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up beside them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.”
“A wheel within a wheel …” (Eze 1:16). “The most common explanation of this is that each wheel looked like two wheels intersecting each other at right angles to make a compound wheel that could move in all directions without changing front.” The KJV rendition, “Wheel in the middle of a wheel,” would appear to favor the notion that wheels were concentric.
The wheels with their dreadful rims full of eyes, “Symbolize God’s all-seeing power in the world.”
It should be noted that the vision of the living creatures indicates that man, in one sense, appears as coordinate with animals and birds, suggesting that, as far as the eminence and power of the Eternal are concerned, only God is supreme. The man, the lion, the ox and the eagle stand, all of them, beneath that glorious platform supporting the throne of Deity himself.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
one: Eze 1:19-21, Eze 10:9, Eze 10:13-17, Dan 7:9
with: Eze 1:6, Rev 4:7
Reciprocal: 1Ki 7:30 – wheels 1Ch 28:18 – the chariot Psa 68:17 – chariots Eze 10:2 – Go
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Eze 1:15. The symbol now changes but it ia the same subject. There is nothing strange in the idea of another object to have the same meaning as that ot the one form just presented. Jesus spoke many parables to illustrate the one institution, so we should not be confused over the use of two representations by Ezekiel, Furthermore, there is no more difference be-tween the two illustrations of Ezekiel than there was between the many parables spoken by Jesus. All symbols must be Interpreted in a way that will agree with the literal facts con-nected with the subjects intended to be illustrated. Such a procedure will be followed in explaining the wheel that is introduced into this passage. Notice it was by the living creatures, which denotes that each was to work with the other in their movements. This weel had four faces which corresponds with the four faces of the creatures. Face is from pankh and Strong defines it, The face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literal and figurative) also (prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.). From this definition we would understand that by face is meant that part of the wheel that turns; that Is, its forward and outer edge. But this wheel will be seen to have moved in four directions at once just as the creatures did, which would require that it have four faces in harmony with the four faces of the creatures. A simple wheel would have but two faces, hence we will need the information that will be given in the following verse.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Eze 1:15-16. Now as I beheld, &c. The prophet here proceeds to relate what he saw besides the living creatures, which he had described in the foregoing verses. Behold one wheel upon the earth beside the living creatures By each of the living creatures stood one wheel, so that they were four in number, according to the number of the living creatures. While he was contemplating the glory of the former vision, this other was presented to him: wherein the dispensations of providence are compared to the wheels of a machine, which all contribute to the regular motion of it. The shape of wheels, and their fitness for continual motion, aptly represent the constant revolution of human affairs under the conduct of providence, which orders, governs, and changes. Sometimes one spoke of the wheel is uppermost, sometimes another. Those persons or communities which to- day are at the top of the wheel, may to-morrow be at the bottom, beyond all human expectation or prevention; yet in the midst of apparent confusion, and while every thing seems hurried on by blind chance, or fatal necessity, the most perfect regularity is observed, and the changes are directed by as fixed laws as those which regulate the motions of the wheels. Scott. The prophets seeing the wheels upon the earth was intruded to denote, that the vision related to the affairs of this world; and the wheels being said to be beside the living creatures, which attended to direct their motions, manifests, that all inferior creatures are, and move, and act, as the Creator, by the ministration of angels, directs and influences them: visible effects are managed and governed by invisible causes. The appearance of the wheels That is, their colour, for it is plain that is here intended; and their work Their workmanship, form, or figure, as the word is repeatedly used, 1Ki 7:17, &c., all that was wrought, whether engraved or otherwise, was of one colour; was like unto the colour of a beryl A gem of a bluish green; and called in the text here Tarshish, probably from the place whence it came. The colour intended is azure, or that of the blue sky mixed with a bright green: see Dan 10:6. Probably the wisdom, justice, and goodness of Gods providential government may be here signified by this beautiful colour of the wheels. They four had one likeness They were the same for dimensions, colour, frame, and motion, to indicate that there is a consistency and uniformity in all the dispensations of Divine Providence. Their appearance, &c., was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel This may be explained two ways; either, 1st, That there were smaller wheels connected with, and put in motion by the larger, an emblematical representation of the connection of causes and effects; or, 2d, That they crossed one another in the middle, to signify the unsearchableness of the divine dispensations, and the intricacy of the affairs of this world, which seem to cross and thwart each other; but yet all move under the superintendence of infinite wisdom, justice, and goodness.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
The wheels and their movement 1:15-21
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)
Ezekiel also saw a prominent wheel standing upright on the ground beside each of the four living creatures.