Ezekiel 1: The Glory by the River
Far from the temple, by an exile's canal, the heavens open and Ezekiel sees the storm, the living creatures, the wheels, and the likeness of God enthroned in glory.
Ezekiel 1 (WEB)
1 Now in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth of the month, as I was among the captives by the river Chebar, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
2 In the fifth of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity,
3 Yahweh’s word came expressly to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of Yahweh was there on him.
4 I looked, and behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, a great cloud, with flashing lightning, and a brightness around it, and out of its midst as it were glowing metal, out of the midst of the fire.
5 Out of its midst came the likeness of four living creatures. This was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man.
6 Everyone had four faces, and each one of them had four wings.
7 Their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot; and they sparkled like burnished brass.
8 They had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and the four of them had their faces and their wings thus:
9 their wings were joined one to another; they didn’t turn when they went; each one went straight forward.
10 As for the likeness of their faces, they had the face of a man; and the four of them had the face of a lion on the right side; and the four of them had the face of an ox on the left side; the four of them also had the face of an eagle.
11 Such were their faces. Their wings were spread out above. Two wings of each one touched another, and two covered their bodies.
12 Each one went straight forward: where the spirit was to go, they went; they didn’t turn when they went.
13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches: the fire went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and lightning went out of the fire.
14 The living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
15 Now as I saw the living creatures, behold, one wheel on the earth beside the living creatures, for each of the four faces of it.
16 The appearance of the wheels and their work was like a beryl: and the four of them had one likeness; and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel within a wheel.
17 When they went, they went in their four directions: they didn’t turn when they went.
18 As for their rims, they were high and dreadful; and the four of them had their rims full of eyes all around.
19 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.
20 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.
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 beside them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
22 Over the head of the living creature there was the likeness of an expanse, like the awesome crystal to look on, stretched out over their heads above.
23 Under the expanse were their wings straight, the one toward the other: each one had two which covered on this side, and every one had two which covered on that side, their bodies.
24 When they went, I heard the noise of their wings like the noise of great waters, like the voice of the Almighty, a noise of tumult like the noise of an army: when they stood, they let down their wings.
25 There was a voice above the expanse that was over their heads: when they stood, they let down their wings.
26 Above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone; and on the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man on it above.
27 I saw as it were glowing metal, as the appearance of fire within it all around, from the appearance of his waist and upward; and from the appearance of his waist and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him.
28 As the appearance of the rainbow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. This was the appearance of the likeness of Yahweh’s glory. When I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of one that spoke.
Ezekiel 1 (KJV)
1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
2 In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity,
3 The word of the Lord came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the Lord was there upon him.
4 And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.
5 Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.
6 And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.
7 And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass.
8 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings.
9 Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.
10 As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.
11 Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.
12 And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went.
13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.
14 And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
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 creature 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 an 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.
26 And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.
27 And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.
28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.
Ezekiel 1 (ASV)
1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourthmonth, in the fifthdayof the month, as I was among the captives by the river Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
2 In the fifthdayof the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity,
3 the word of Jehovah came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of Jehovah was there upon him.
4 And I looked, and, behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, a great cloud, with a fire infolding itself, and a brightness round about it, and out of the midst thereof as it were glowing metal, out of the midst of the fire.
5 And out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man;
6 and every one had four faces, and every one of them had four wings.
7 And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot; and they sparkled like burnished brass.
8 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings thus:
9 their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.
10 As for the likeness of their faces, they had the face of a man; and they four had the face of a lion on the right side; and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four had also the face of an eagle.
11 And their faces and their wings were separate above; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.
12 And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; they turned not when they went.
13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches: the fire went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.
14 And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
15 Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold, one wheel upon the earth beside the living creatures, for each of the four faces thereof.
16 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 was as it were a wheel within a wheel.
17 When they went, they went in their four directions: they turned not when they went.
18 As for their rims, they were high and dreadful; and they four had their rims full of eyes round about.
19 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.
20 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.
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 beside them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
22 And over the head of the living creature there was the likeness of a firmament, like the terrible crystal to look upon, 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, like the voice of the Almighty, a noise of tumult like the noise of a host: when they stood, they let down their wings.
25 And there was a voice above the firmament that was over their heads: when they stood, they let down their wings.
26 And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone; and upon the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man upon it above.
27 And I saw as it were glowing metal, as the appearance of fire within it round about, from the appearance of his loins and upward; and from the appearance of his loins and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness round about him.
28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Jehovah. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.
Summary
In the fifth year of King Jehoiachin's captivity, among the exiles by the river Chebar in Babylon, the heavens open and Ezekiel the priest sees visions of God. A stormy wind sweeps in from the north with a great cloud, flashing fire, and glowing metal, and out of its midst come four living creatures, each with the likeness of a man yet with four faces and four wings. Their faces are those of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle, and they dart back and forth like lightning, going wherever the spirit directs without turning. Beside them stand towering wheels, gleaming like beryl, a wheel within a wheel, their rims full of eyes, moving in perfect unison with the creatures because the spirit of the living creature is in them. Above their heads stretches a crystal expanse, and above it a throne like sapphire, and on the throne the likeness of a man surrounded by fire and brightness like a rainbow. This, Ezekiel tells us, is the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Yahweh. Overwhelmed, the prophet falls on his face and hears a voice begin to speak. The vision declares that God is not confined to Jerusalem's temple; his mobile, all-seeing glory has come even to the land of exile.
Main Characters
- Ezekiel — A priest, son of Buzi, taken captive to Babylon, who by the river Chebar receives this overwhelming vision of God's glory and falls on his face before it.
- Yahweh (the LORD) — The God whose glory appears enthroned above the expanse, surrounded by fire and rainbow brightness, sovereign and present even far from Jerusalem.
- The four living creatures — Cherubim with four faces and four wings, gleaming like burnished brass, who move as one wherever the Spirit directs and bear up the throne of God.
Key Verse
Ezekiel 1:28 (WEB)
As the appearance of the rainbow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. This was the appearance of the likeness of Yahweh’s glory. When I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of one that spoke.
Lessons Learned
- God's glory is not bound to one place; he meets his people even in the land of their exile.
- The Lord is unspeakably holy and majestic, and the right response to seeing him is to fall on our faces in awe.
- God's heavenly throne is mobile and his sight is everywhere, pictured by wheels full of eyes that go wherever the Spirit leads.
- Even in the strangest and most fearful vision, what Ezekiel beholds is the likeness of one who speaks—a God who draws near to communicate.
- God comes to us in exile. The vision appears “among the captives by the river Chebar” (Ezekiel 1:1, WEB), assuring displaced people that the Lord has not abandoned them.
- The Spirit directs the movements of glory. “Wherever the spirit was to go, they went” (Ezekiel 1:20, WEB). God's purposes move freely; nothing constrains his presence.
- True worship begins in reverent fear. Seeing the brightness of the Lord's glory, Ezekiel “fell on my face” (Ezekiel 1:28, WEB). Encountering God humbles us before it commissions us.
- Above every storm there is a throne. Over the wheels and the expanse is “the likeness of a throne” (Ezekiel 1:26, WEB). The chaos of history is always under the rule of God.
- Why is it significant that this vision of God's glory comes to Ezekiel in Babylon rather than in the Jerusalem temple?
- What do the four faces, the gleaming wheels, and the eyes all around suggest about the character of God?
- How does Ezekiel respond when he sees the likeness of the Lord's glory, and why?
- The vision is full of fire, storm, and brilliance, yet ends with a voice that speaks. What does that tell us about God's purpose in revealing himself?
- When have you sensed God's presence in an unexpected or difficult place, and how did it change your view of your circumstances?
- Jerusalem and its temple still stood, yet God's glory appears to the exiles by a foreign canal (1:1-3). This signals that the Lord is not the local deity of a building; he reigns over all the earth and remains with his people in their displacement—a comfort to anyone who feels far from home.
- The four faces (man, lion, ox, eagle) suggest God's rule over all creation; the wheels that move in any direction picture his freedom; the rims “full of eyes all around” (1:18) picture his all-seeing knowledge. Together they portray a God who is everywhere present, all-knowing, and utterly free.
- Ezekiel “fell on my face” (1:28). The vision is overwhelming, and the only fitting response to the glory of the holy God is worshipful awe. Help the group see that genuine encounter with God produces humility, not casual familiarity.
- All the fire and motion lead to a personal end: God speaks. The vision is not spectacle for its own sake but the prelude to a word and a calling. Our God reveals his glory in order to draw near and communicate his will to us.
- This is a personal-application question. Invite members to recall a hard or surprising season when God felt unexpectedly near, and how that reshaped their perspective. As leader, keep the tone hopeful and let the group rest in the truth that God meets us in exile.