Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 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 a host: when they stood, they let down their wings.
24. The sound of the wings of the living creatures when in flight was as the noise of many waters, as the thunder, or, as the roar of a host.
voice of the Almighty ] that is, the thunder, Psa 29:3; Job 37:4. The comparison to waters occurs again, ch. Eze 43:2, and that to the voice of the Almighty, ch. Eze 10:5 (God Almighty). The name Almighty (Heb. shaddai, of uncertain derivation) occurs alone chiefly in poetical pieces, e.g. about thirty times in Job, a few times in prophecy (Isa 13:6 = Joe 1:15; Eze 1:24) and in the idyl of Ruth (Eze 1:20-21); but in prose has the word “God” (El) prefixed to it (Gen 17:1).
the voice of speech ] Rather: noise of tumult, as Jer 11:16, where the word appears to occur again. The rendering “speech,” though that of the ancient versions, assumes a different pronunciation. As to noise of a “host” cf. Isa 17:12, Joe 2:5. LXX. omits all the comparisons except the first, as in ch. Eze 43:2, unless Jerome is to be followed, who vindicates here for LXX. what is usually ascribed to Theodotion.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The voice of the Almighty – Thunder.
The voice of speech – Rendered in Jer 11:16 a great tumult. Some take it to describe the rushing of a storm.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 24. The noise of their wings] When the whirlwind drove the wheels, the wind rustling among the wings was like the noise of many waters; like a waterfall, or waters dashing continually against the rocks, or rushing down precipices.
As the voice of the Almighty] Like distant thunder; for this is termed the voice of God, Ps 18:13; Ex 9:23; Ex 9:28-29; Ex 20:18.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
And when they went; so soon and as often as they, i.e. the living creatures, moved, were on their work, executing Gods commands.
I heard, and attended to know what it was.
The noise of their wings: though some of Gods judgments are executed with silence, and are in the dark, yet here is an alarm, and they may be heard.
Like the noise of great waters: when the sea rageth and swells as though it would overwhelm the earth, so when the just and dreadful judgments of God are executed, they threaten the overflowing of all.
As the voice of the Almighty; thunder, called Gods voice, Psa 29:3. The voice of speech; the prophet heard the voice in an articulate manner declaring the will of God, as if the wings had tongues to speak as well as power to fly.
As the noise of an host: this voice was not of friends saluting each other, or comforting, but it was the voice and noise of a host, a tumultuous voice of men, a confused noise of warlike weapons and instruments; some suppose it is meant of the army of the Chaldeans, which those winged living creatures had now fetched in to spoil the Jews, which they did with terrible outcries, as enraged, merciless adversaries use to do.
When they stood, they let down their wings; having done their office, they present themselves before God, and let down their wings, not out of weariness, but out of a sense that they must never act but by commission. And now with wings let down and covering their bodies, they do humbly watch as servants for the commands of their lord.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
24. voice of . . . Almightythethunder (Psa 29:3; Psa 29:4).
voice of speechrather,”the voice” or “sound of tumult,” as inJer 11:16. From an Arabicroot, meaning the “impetuous rush of heavy rain.”
noise of . . . host(Isa 13:4; Dan 10:6).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And when they went,…. In their ministrations, preaching the Gospel, and administering ordinances:
I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters: so the voice of Christ, which is no other than his Gospel preached by his ministers, is said to be as the sound of many waters, Re 1:15; which is heard a great way off, as the Gospel ministry is, even to the ends of the earth; thither the sound of the apostles’ words reached,
Ro 10:18; and which, as they move with great force, yield a pleasant sound of and may denote both the energy of the word, and the delightfulness of it:
as the voice of the Almighty; the Gospel being the word of God, and not of man; which is quick and powerful, and full of majesty, and works effectually in them that believe:
the voice of speech; an articulate voice, a human one, pronounced by men, whom God employs to deliver out his mind and will:
as the noise of an host; the church being militant, to whom they minister; so that their voice, in their ministry, is sometimes reproving, convincing, confuting, contending, and disputing, as well as teaching and instructing. The Targum is,
“and the voice of their words, when they confess and bless the Lord, the living everlasting King, is as the voice of the host of angels on high:”
when they stood, they let down their wings; those two with which they flew, and with them covered their faces, or some part of their bodies, as ashamed of their own unworthiness and imperfections; or this may denote their having done their work, and finished their course.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
When the Prophet says, he heard the voice of wings, it is an explanation of his former teaching, when he said that the wings followed the course of the living creatures, and stood, unless when they were drawn by the living creatures: this he now expresses more clearly by the word voice We know that, precepts are expressed by the voice, and this is the means of human intercourse, so that he who bears sway proclaims by the voice what he wishes to be done. Since therefore what we have previously said was obscure — that the wheels were moved by the living creatures — therefore the Prophet says there was a voice in the motion of the wings He had said this before, and he now repeats that the living creatures sometimes rested and let fall their wings. When the wings were thus let fall there was no motion in the wheels; but as the wheels obey the motions of the living creatures, he says the wings were vocal; not that the wheels were endued with ears or could hear any commands. But the Prophet could not otherwise express what I have just said: viz., that heaven and earth are full of angelic motion, unless he said that in such motion there was something like a voice, as he said that whatever happens obeys God’s will. But this obedience cannot be conceived unless a voice go before it. Now therefore we see the Prophet weaving his own discourse, and by a new form of speech expressing and confirming what we formerly saw — that the wheels were mowed by the living creatures, because in the wings themselves a voice was heard, he adds, it was as it were a voice many or mighty waters We know that a great noise arises from the overflow of art impetuous river. Nothing is more terrible than its sound, for it is something like a crash which seems to threaten the breaking up of the whole earth, and this vehemence the Prophet now expresses. He adds, a voice of God It will be harsh to explain this of God himself, to whom although the phrase is often attributed, yet we know that it is done metaphorically. But there ought to be some external likeness which may show the Prophet what was not visible of itself. But that cannot suit the phrase, “the voice of God,” unless we understand it as in Psa 29:5 , concerning thunder: the voice of God shakes the cedars and the mountains, and makes the animals miscarry in the woods. Here David calls thunder the voice of God, but I know not whether this metaphor is suitable to the present place. Nor yet if we could take the word of God in another sense, could it mean anything but thunder. Others translate שדי , shedi, brave or violent, which suits tolerably well, unless a general form of speech is not sufficiently fitted to this place. For those images of things ought to be set before the mind of the Prophet that tend to raise it upwards. Besides, if he had said simply the voice of a strong or violent man, it would imply but little, so I dare not reject the meaning — thunder; and if this exposition is unsatisfactory to any one, yet the meaning will still be a loud and terrific voice, because Scripture calls cedars and mountains, cedars and mountains of God, on account of their superior excellence. (Psa 80:11; Psa 36:6.)
He says, when they walked, because there was no other motion, for he said that the wings of the animals were let fall while they stood. Then it was not necessary for earthly things to be agitated, unless when the inspiration goes forward in the living creatures, that is the angels. He adds, the voice of speech Here Ezekiel proceeds further, asserting the voice to be articulate. True, inanimate things cannot hear a voice, but as I have said, he wished to represent the obedience in the wheels to be such as if they had been taught, and God had eloquently and articulately commanded what he wished to be done; or as if the wheels had spoken intelligibly, so that the wheels might not afterwards roll round rashly, but in accordance with a received command. He says, as it were the voice of armies And the simile is to be diligently noticed, because in an army, in consequence of the multitude, one can scarcely notice another with the view of promoting union, and yet military discipline requires this. (51) Therefore, in camps there is great clamor and confusion, yet each accommodates himself to others, and so order is preserved. The Prophet therefore signifies, that although infinitely numerous events meet together, yet nothing is left without guidance, because God governs all earthly motions with much better skill than a general, though endued with singular foresight, rules his army. We see therefore what the Spirit intends by this part of the vision, when he compares the things that are carried on in the world to mighty forces; for he says that such reason was displayed among this multitude, that although their clamors are tumultuous, yet all things are mutually suited to each other. Again he says, when they stood they let down their wings This question may be asked, how can the living creatures rest when God is always at work: as also Christ says, My Father and I work even to this day? (Joh 5:17.) Since therefore the power of God is never at rest, what can the resting of the living creatures mean? for God works by angels as we have seen: if they rest, God has his periods of repose, which is absurd. But when the Prophet says they rested, he wishes to mark the variety of human events. For sometimes they are so tranquil, that we think God is taking some repose, and is completely at rest in heaven: not that he ever ceases, but because we do not perceive the agitations, which plainly show his virtue to consist in motion and in action. Therefore the Prophet here wishes only to denote variety; not that we ought to imagine God to rest at any time or his angels to repose, but because he does not always work in the same equable manner.
(51) The French Translation rather amplifies than accurately renders this sentence.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(24) The noise of their wings.The same word translated noise three times in this verse is also translated voice twice here, and once in the next verse. It is better to keep voice throughout. I heard the voice of their wings, like the voice of many waters. The same comparison is used to describe the voice of God in Eze. 43:2; Rev. 1:15. Further attempts to convey an impression of the effect are : As the voice of the Almighty, by which thunder is often described in Scripture (Job. 37:4-5; Psa. 29:3-4); the voice of speech, by which is not to be understood articulate language. The word occurs elsewhere only in Jer. 11:16, and is there translated a tumult. The idea conveyed by the word is probably that of the confused sound from a great multitude, and, finally, as the voice of an host. All these comparisons concur in representing a vast and terrible sound, but inarticulate.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
24. The noise of their wings If it had not been for the noise one could not have known the wings were being used for locomotion. They moved so swiftly and with such perfect regularity that they always appeared outstretched; as if the tips of each pair were joined together (Eze 1:11).
The sound seemed to the hearer like the roar of the surf on the rocky shore of the Mediterranean; like the voice of Jehovah when the “God of glory thundereth” (Psa 29:3); like a distant tumult (Jer 11:16).
A voice is in the wind I do not know;
A meaning on the face of the high hills
Whose utterance I cannot comprehend;
A something is behind them; this is God.
Macdonald.
They let down their wings
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And when they went I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, like the voice of the Almighty (El Shaddai), a noise of tumult like the noise of a host. When they stood they let down their wings.’
As the chariot moved onwards Ezekiel heard the sound of the wings of the living creatures as they propelled it forwards. It was a powerful sound, like the sound of great waters, of a mountain torrent, or like the mighty breakers of the sea (compare Psa 93:4. See also Rev 1:15). It was like the voice of the Almighty. It was like the sound of tumult at the movement of a great army. He is fighting for ideas to describe the powerfulness and awesomeness of the noise. And then when the chariot stopped, the noise of their wings ceased, for they let down their wings, and there was a great calm.
We can understand why it had such a great effect on him, this mighty heavenly chariot speeding towards him like a great juggernaut, sometimes rolling over the ground, sometimes flying like an eagle, with the splendour and the glory and the flashing of lightning, and the terrible, terrible noise of their wings, punctuated by silence when the chariot paused. And yet there was more to it than that, for there was also the rider of the chariot, as yet undescribed.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Eze 1:24. And when they went, &c. To denote the terribleness of the judgments which they were to execute upon Jerusalem and the whole Jewish nation. See chap. Eze 43:2 where the prophet foretels the return of the God of Israel in such a manner, as strongly confirms the interpretation that we have given of this chapter. Houbigant connects the latter part of this verse with that following; When they stood they let down their wings; but then a sound arose from the firmament, &c.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Eze 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.
Ver. 24. And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings. ] A very great noise, as is here set forth by a threefold similitude – Congeries similium faciens ad amplificationem.
Like the noise of great waters.
As the noise of the Almighty,
The voice of speech.
As the noise of an host
They let down their wings.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
noise. Hebrew “voice”, as in the next clause = any noise. Articulate speech not mentioned till Eze 1:28 with Eze 2:1.
voice = noise, as above. THE ALMIGHTY. Hebrew. Shaddai. App-4.
voice of speech = noise of tumult.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
like: Eze 43:2, Rev 1:15, Rev 19:6
as the voice: Eze 10:5, Job 37:2, Job 37:4, Job 37:5, Psa 18:13, Psa 29:3-9, Psa 68:33
as the noise: Dan 10:6, 2Ki 7:6
Reciprocal: Isa 6:2 – wings Isa 6:4 – posts Isa 6:8 – I heard Eze 1:23 – their wings Eze 1:25 – and had Eze 3:13 – the noise
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
LISTENING TO GOD IN THE SILENCE
They let down their wings. And there was a voice from the firmament.
Eze 1:24-25
I. Even the rustle of the wings of the cherubim must be silent when God speaks to us.To listen to Him the sounds of heaven as well as those of earth need to be hushed. We fail to hear His message because of our multifarious attention to other things. The movements of the ministering angels may be sweetest music, but infinitely more glorious is the speech of our Father, their King. To the enlightened soul the sound of their wings is everywhere round about. Science is watching the angels of nature directing the winds and painting the flowers. Worship is joining with angels in their eternal song of praise of the thrice holy One. Duty is following the angels who obey the Divine will. The noise of their flight is as that of a host. But there are times when we turn aside from all these and would be face to face with God and hear Him speak, whilst for us the angels stand and let down their wings, and we must do the same. The pinions of active movement, of thought, and of service must cease their flight as we wait calmly before the throne of our God.
II. There never was a time when it was more important to state this truth.We live amidst a flutter of feathers. Rapid movements are on every side. We retire not except for rest from fatigue. Our recreation is a change of work, our holiday becomes a tour, our religion is service. All this calls for gratitude. The Church is alive and full of the sound of angels pinions. It is a grand day in which to live. Hence a strong reason for seeking at times that silence in which alone Gods voice can be heard. If in times past the great need has been zealous work, the other extreme may have been reached; and the call to-day is for more silent worship. For after all we only truly serve God as we know Him. We are told that the service of man is the service of God, but the converse is true, the service of God is the service of man. And if we would be with those spirits that do His commandments, we must be amongst those who hearken to His voice. Our Lord found His strength for His work by often going to be alone with His Father in prayer. Abraham in the solitude of the desert watched silently hour after hour till the glorious promise came making him the Father of the Faithful. David in still mountain fastnesses gained the power to lead the song worship of the world. Elijah went from the wilderness to Mount Carmel, in quiet retirement, having gained the force to call men to decision. John in Patmos heard that music which has directed the onward march of the Church of God ever since. The Lord Christ retired to the quiet garden of Gethsemane, ere He ascended Calvary to offer up His sacrifice for the eternal service of man.
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
Eze 1:24. This verse as a whole is a passage intended to show the greatness of the institutions symbolized by the living creatures and the wheels. Great waters is a figure and when used in a favorable sense indicates a multitude of people. Such would be a fitting symbol of these empires for they were regarded as including virtually all of the civilized world. Voice of the Almighty means the voice of God. This statement is not made on the strength of the words being cap-italized, for all punctuations have been done by man, and while often they are correct, they are of no authority. I have examined the uses of the original word and without a single exception the connection shows it to mean God. Furthermore, Strong defines the original word, “The Almighty” with capital A. This indicates that God was recognized in the four empires, and that also agrees with Dan 2:37; Dan 4:17; Dan 4:32; Dan 5:18. Voice of speech indicates not only that there was consciousness hut intelligence in the creatures which agrees with the fact that the creatures represented governments of and by men. “When these creatures were not flying they let their wings down, which indicates they used them then only for defence purposes.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
1:24 And when they went, I heard the noise of their {l} 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 {m} let down their wings.
(l) Which declared the swiftness and the fearfulness of God’s judgments.
(m) Which signified that they had no power of themselves, but only waited to execute God’s commandment.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
The prophet also heard a sound that the movement of the creatures’ wings produced, a sound like a white-water torrent, or like the voice of Almighty God, or like an army on the move. When the creatures did not move, they dropped their wings.