Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezekiel 1:19
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.
19 21. The movement of the wheels corresponded with that of the living creatures. They were animated by the same spirit as the creatures, and were part of the whole living phenomenon. In the Book of Enoch “wheels” (Ophannim) are a class of angels, named along with Seraphim and Cherubim, ch. lxi. 10; lxx. 7.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 19. When the living creatures went, the wheels went] The wheels were attached to the living creatures, so that, in progress, they had the same motion.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
When the living creatures went, the wheels went by them; the wheels motion or standing depended on the motion and assistance of some higher agent which excited and guided them, when therefore the living creatures, the angels, ministers of Gods will, moved, then did those affairs expressed by wheels move also. There was an exact accord between these, they were as well joined in motion as they were in station.
When the living creatures were lifted up; moved higher above our ordinary reach.
From the earth; that basis on which both the wheels seemed to stand, and from which sometimes they seemed to lift up themselves, as if to fetch a new commission and order from him that sat upon the throne.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
19. went by themwent besidethem.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them,…. When the ministers of the Gospel begin the worship of God, and move in acts of devotion, the churches join with them; see Re 4:9; and in their lives and conversations they are examples to them; and churches and members ought to walk as they have them, for an example in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity;
and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up; when the ministers of the word have their affections raised, and are in lively frames of soul in preaching the Gospel, generally speaking, so it is with the churches and the members thereof, that sit under their ministrations; their hearts burn within them; their affections are raised, and their souls are lifted up heavenwards, while the Scriptures of truth are opened unto them.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
By this verse the Prophet teaches, that all the changes of the world depend on celestial motion. For we have said that the living creatures represent to us Angels whom God inspires with a secret virtue, so that he works by means of their hands. Now, therefore, when he says, that the wheels proceeded through a higher movement than their own, it follows that nothing happens by chance in the world, but that God, by his own incomprehensible wisdom, so directs all things that nothing happens except by that secret instinct which is imperceptible to us. Therefore in this teaching of the Prophet, as in a glass, we ought to consider what is concealed from human comprehension. We see many things happen, and in the meantime we think the motions, which are so perplexed and multiplied, confused; but the Prophet meets this perverse imagination, and teaches that the wheels rest by themselves and are set in motion by a higher force — that is, as the living creatures or cherubim are moved, so the wheels are drawn along by their influence. Now, therefore, because we perceive the meaning of the Holy Spirit, so the usefulness of the doctrine is to be noticed. When we see men planning’ so many things that they disturb the whole world, when we see many conspiracies made, and then all things necessary for action prepared, let us perceive that God governs all things, but in a secret manner which surpasses our senses. Also, when we see many things happen as we think unseasonably, let us think that Angels are discharging their duty, and that by their motion and inspiration things in themselves motionless are borne along. The same may be said of other things: winter, for example, may be too mild or too rough; in that excess, let us consider what the Prophet teaches here, viz.: that God so governs the order of the seasons, that nothing happens unless by his inspiration. When, therefore, the living creatures went forward, the wheels near them also wear forward, he says, meaning that the living creatures were the rule by which the wheels directed their course, and when they were raised, he adds, the wheels were raised also
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
19. There was perfect harmony between the movements of the wheels and the living creatures, because both were directed by the same impulse. They moved as if they were one because the same “spirit of life” was in both, and the same eye of intelligence directed both. The prophet was particularly impressed with this fact, and repeats it. Here was complete harmony with environment. (See also Appendix to chapter.)
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘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. Wherever the Spirit was to go, they went. There 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.’
The close connection of the wheels with the living creatures is stressed. They were as one, the wheels following the movements of the living creatures. And the chariot was not earthbound. When the living creatures rose into the air, the chariot and the wheels rose with them, for the wheels contained the spirit of the living creatures. And the movement of the living creatures was dependent on the will of the Spirit of God (compare Eze 1:12). Wherever he would go, they went.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Eze 1:20 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.
Eze 1:20
Eze 1:21 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 creature was in the wheels.
Comments The Living Creatures and the Wheels – The spirits of these living creatures were within the wheels, and wherever the spirits of the creature went, the wheels followed. These verses describe the movement of the living creatures in relation to their wheels. Emphasis is placed upon the fact that the wheels always follow these creatures. The movement of these living creatures signifies the fact that they have been sent forth to set in motion the eternal plans and purposes of Almighty God. The straight movement represents the unaltered plans and purposes of Almighty God. The eyes represent God’s all knowing nature of eternal things. The wheels represent God’s eternal timetable to accomplish His divine will. The fact that the wheels go with these creatures everywhere they go indicates that these living creatures are implementing God’s plans on His eternal time scale.
Fuente: Everett’s Study Notes on the Holy Scriptures
Eze 1:19. By them Beside them; and so in Eze 1:20-21 instead of over-against them.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Eze 1:19 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.
Ver. 19. And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them. ] The angels are God’s hands, as it were, whereby are acted and agitated this lower world and the second causes therein.
The wheels were lift up.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the living creatures = the living ones. Compare verses: Eze 1:21, Eze 1:22, Eze 1:3; Eze 10:15, Eze 10:20. The four were one.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Eze 10:16, Psa 103:20
Reciprocal: Eze 1:15 – one Eze 1:21 – When those went Eze 11:22 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Eze 1:19. The wheel went whenever the living creatures went because both symbols represented the same thing which was the four empires. By the same token the creatures and the wheel were lifted up (made exalted and important) at the same time.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Eze 1:19-21. When the living creatures went, the wheels went by them The living creatures and the wheels moved in concert, to show with what readiness and alacrity all the instruments of providence concur in carrying on its great designs and purposes; and that second causes here below act under the superintendence and conduct of God and his holy angels. When the living creatures were lifted up, &c., the wheels were lifted up By the wheels being lifted up with the living creatures, may be signified, that the dispensations of God on earth, where the wheels were first seen, are connected with the things of heaven, and are all appointed and directed with a reference to the concerns of Gods church, and of the spiritual and heavenly world. Whithersoever the Spirit was to go Namely, the Spirit of God; they went They punctually observed his conduct, and obeyed his influence. Their wills were directed by his will. And the wheels were lifted up over against them Proportionably to the lifting up of the living creatures. The wheels, inferior agents, and second causes, act in unison with, and under the influence of, these angelic ministers of the divine will. For the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels Both the wheels and the living creatures were actuated by one and the same spirit. An undiscerned, yet divine, mighty, wise, and ever-living power and energy, influenced all, and governed all. When those went, these went This is only a repetition of what is contained in the foregoing verse.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
There was some coordination between the living beings and these wheels because whenever one of the living creatures moved, its corresponding wheel moved with it. The creatures and wheels could move vertically above the ground as well as horizontally along the ground.