Ezekiel Chapter 1
King James Version (KJV)
Other Translations
asv (asv) - eBible.org engASV USFM
1
Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth
2
month, in the fifth
3
day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
4
In the fifth
5
day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity,
6
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.
7
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.
8
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;
9
and every one had four faces, and every one of them had four wings.
10
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.
11
And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings
12
thus:
13
their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.
14
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.
15
And their faces and their wings were separate above; two
16
wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.
17
And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; they turned not when they went.
18
As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches:
19
the fire went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.
20
And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
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.
22
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.
23
When they went, they went in their four directions: they turned not when they went.
24
As for their rims, they were high and dreadful; and they four had their rims full of eyes round about.
25
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.
26
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.
27
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.
28
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.
darby (darby) - eBible.org Darby 1890 plaintext
1
Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth [month], on the fifth of the month, as I was among the captives by the river Chebar, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions ofGod.
2
On the fifth of the month, (it 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, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the look of glowing brass, out of the midst of the fire.
5
Also out of the midst thereof, 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 as the look 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
And the likeness of their faces was 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 parted 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
And as for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, as the appearance of torches: 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
And I looked at the living creatures, and behold, one wheel upon the earth beside the living creatures, toward their four faces.
16
The appearance of the wheels and their work was as the look of a chrysolite; 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; 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 would [their] spirit go; and the wheels were lifted up along with them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
21
When those went, they went; and when those stood, they stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up along with them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
22
And there was the likeness of an expanse over the heads of the living creature, as the look of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.
23
And under the expanse 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, a tumultuous noise, as the noise of a host: when they stood, they let down their wings;
25
and there was a voice from above the expanse that was over their heads. When they stood, they let down their wings.
26
And above the expanse 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 above upon it.
27
And I saw as the look of glowing brass, 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 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 Jehovah. And when I saw, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of one that spoke.
lxxbrent (lxxbrent) - Septuagint (Brenton 1851) eBible USFM
1
Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, that I was in the midst of the captivity by the river of Chobar; and the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
2
On the fifth day of the month; this was the fifth year of the captivity of king Joakim.
3
And the word of the Lord came to Jezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans, by the river of Chobar; and the hand of the Lord was upon me.
4
And I looked, and, behold, a sweeping wind came from the north, and a great cloud on it, and [there was] brightness round about it, and gleaming fire, and in the midst of it as it were the appearance of amber in the midst of the fire, and brightness in it.
5
And in the midst as it were the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; the likeness of a man was upon them.
6
And each one [had] four faces, and each one [had] four wings.
7
And their legs were straight; and their feet were winged, and [there were] sparks, like gleaming brass, and their wings were light.
8
And the hand of a man was under their wings on their four sides.
9
And the faces of them four turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.
10
And the likeness of their faces was the face of a man, and the face of a lion on the right to the four; and the face of a calf on the left to the four; and the face of an eagle to the four.
11
And the four had their wings spread out above; each one [had] two joined to one another, and two covered their bodies.
12
And each one went straight forward: wherever the spirit was going they went, and turned not back.
13
And in the midst of the living creatures [there was] an appearance as of burning coals of fire, as an appearance of lamps turning among the living creatures; and the brightness of fire, and out of the fire came forth lightning.
15
And I looked, and, behold, the four [had each] one wheel on the ground near the living creatures.
16
And the appearance of the wheels was as the appearance of beryl: and the four had one likeness: and their work was as it were a wheel in a wheel.
17
They went on their four sides: they turned not as they went;
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neither did their backs [turn]: and they were high: and I beheld them, and the backs of them four were full of eyes round about.
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And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures lifted themselves off the earth, the wheels were lifted off.
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Wherever the cloud happened to be, there was the spirit ready to go: the wheels went and were lifted up with them; because the spirit of life was in the wheels.
21
When those went, [the wheels] went; and when those stood, [the wheels] stood; and when those lifted themselves off the earth, they were lifted off with them: for the spirit of life was in the wheels.
22
And the likeness over the heads of the living creatures was as a firmament, as the appearance of crystal, spread out over their wings above.
23
And their wings were spread out under the firmament, reaching one to the other; two [wings] to each, covering their bodies.
24
And I heard the sound of their wings when they went, as the sound of much water: and when they stood, their wings were let down.
25
And lo! a voice from above the firmament
26
that was over their head, [there was] as the appearance of a sapphire stone, [and] the likeness of a throne upon it: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as an appearance of a man above.
27
And I saw as it were the resemblance of amber from the appearance of the loins and upwards, and from the appearance of the loins and under I saw an appearance of fire, and the brightness thereof round about.
28
As the appearance of the bow when it is in the cloud in days of rain, so was the form of the brightness round about.
vul1914 (vul1914) - Vulgate 1914 UTF-8 (sacredbible.org)
1
Et factum est in trigesimo anno, in quarto, in quinta mensis, cum essem in medio captivorum iuxta fluvium Chobar, aperti sunt cæli, et vidi visiones Dei.
2
In quinta mensis, ipse est annus quintus transmigrationis regis Ioachin,
3
factum est verbum Domini ad Ezechielem filium Buzi sacerdotem in terra Chaldæorum, secus flumen Chobar: et facta est super eum ibi manus Domini.
4
Et vidi, et ecce ventus turbinis veniebat ab Aquilone: et nubes magna, et ignis involvens, et splendor in circuitu eius: et de medio eius quasi species electri, id est de medio ignis:
5
et in medio eius similitudo quattuor animalium: et hic aspectus eorum, similitudo hominis in eis.
6
Quattuor facies uni, et quattuor pennæ uni.
7
Pedes eorum pedes recti, et planta pedis eorum quasi planta pedis vituli, et scintillæ quasi aspectus æris candentis.
8
Et manus hominis sub pennis eorum in quattuor partibus: et facies, et pennas per quattuor partes habebant.
9
Iunctæque erant pennæ eorum alterius ad alterum. non revertebantur cum incederent: sed unumquodque ante faciem suam gradiebatur.
10
Similitudo autem vultus eorum: facies hominis, et facies leonis a dextris ipsorum quattuor: facies autem bovis, a sinistris ipsorum quattuor, et facies aquilæ desuper ipsorum quattuor.
11
Facies eorum, et pennæ eorum extentæ desuper: duæ pennæ singulorum iungebantur, et duæ tegebant corpora eorum:
12
et unumquodque eorum coram facie sua ambulabat: ubi erat impetus spiritus, illuc gradiebantur, nec revertebantur cum ambularent.
13
Et similitudo animalium, aspectus eorum quasi carbonum ignis ardentium, et quasi aspectus lampadarum. Hæc erat visio discurrens in medio animalium, splendor ignis, et de igne fulgur egrediens.
14
Et animalia ibant, et revertebantur in similitudinem fulguris coruscantis.
15
Cumque aspicerem animalia, apparuit rota una super terram iuxta animalia, habens quattuor facies.
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et aspectus rotarum, et opus earum, quasi visio maris: et una similitudo ipsarum quattuor: et aspectus earum et opera, quasi sit rota in medio rotæ.
17
Per quattuor partes earum euntes ibant: et non revertebantur cum ambularent.
18
Statura quoque erat rotis, et altitudo, et horribilis aspectus: et totum corpus oculis plenum in circuitu ipsarum quattuor.
19
Cumque ambularent animalia, ambulabant pariter et rotæ iuxta ea: et cum elevarentur animalia de terra, elevabantur simul et rotæ.
20
Quocumque ibat spiritus, illuc eunte spiritu, et rotæ pariter elevabantur, sequentes eum. Spiritus enim vitæ erat in rotis.
21
Cum euntibus ibant, et cum stantibus stabant: et cum elevatis a terra, pariter elevabantur et rotæ, sequentes ea: quia spiritus vitæ erat in rotis.
22
Et similitudo super capita animalium firmamenti, quasi aspectus crystalli horribilis, et extenti super capita eorum desuper.
23
Sub firmamento autem pennæ eorum rectæ alterius ad alterum: unumquodque duabus alis velabat corpus suum, et alterum similiter velabatur.
24
Et audiebam sonum alarum, quasi sonum aquarum multarum, quasi sonum sublimis Dei: cum ambularent quasi sonus erat multitudinis ut sonus castrorum. cumque starent, demittebantur pennæ eorum.
25
Nam cum fieret vox super firmamentum, quod erat super caput eorum, stabant, et submittebant alas suas.
26
Et super firmamentum, quod erat imminens capiti eorum, quasi aspectus lapidis sapphiri similitudo throni: et super similitudinem throni similitudo quasi aspectus hominis desuper.
27
Et vidi quasi speciem electri, velut aspectum ignis, intrinsecus eius per circuitum: a lumbis eius et desuper, et a lumbis eius usque deorsum, vidi quasi speciem ignis splendentis in circuitu:
28
Velut aspectum arcus cum fuerit in nube in die pluviæ. hic erat aspectus splendoris per gyrum.
web (web) - WorldEnglish.Bible — CC0 modern update of ASV
1
Now in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day 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
the LORD’s word came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the LORD’s hand 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 the middle of it as it were glowing metal, out of the middle of the fire.
5
Out of its center 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. The sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot; and they sparkled like burnished bronze.
8
They had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides. The four of them had their faces and their wings like this:
9
Their wings were joined to one 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. The four of them had the face of a lion on the right side. 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. 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, there was 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. The four of them had one likeness. 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. When the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up.
20
Wherever the spirit was to go, they went. The spirit was to go there. The wheels were lifted up beside them; for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
21
When those went, these went. When those stood, these stood. 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 an awesome crystal to look at, stretched out over their heads above.
23
Under the expanse, their wings were straight, one toward the other. Each one had two which covered on this side, and each one had two which covered their bodies on that side.
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. 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 the LORD’s glory. When I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of one that spoke.
ylt (ylt) - Bible.com YLT98 plain UTF-8
1
And it cometh to pass, in the thirtieth year, in the fourth <FI>month<Fi> , in the fifth of the month, and I <FI>am<Fi> in the midst of the Removed by the river Chebar, the heavens have been opened, and I see visions of God.
2
In the fifth of the month--it is the fifth year of the removal of the king Jehoiachin--
3
hath the word of Jehovah certainly been unto Ezekiel son of Buzi the priest, in the land of the Chaldeans, by the river Chebar, and there is on him there a hand of Jehovah.
4
And I look, and lo, a tempestuous wind is coming from the north, a great cloud, and fire catching itself, and brightness to it round about, and out of its midst as the colour of copper, out of the midst of the fire.
5
And out of its midst <FI>is<Fi> a likeness of four living creatures, and this <FI>is<Fi> their appearance; a likeness of man <FI>is<Fi> to them,
6
and four faces <FI>are<Fi> to each, and four wings <FI>are<Fi> to each of them,
7
and their feet <FI>are<Fi> straight feet, and the sole of their feet <FI>is<Fi> as a sole of a calf's foot, and they are sparkling as the colour of bright brass;
8
and hands of man under their wings--on their four sides, and their faces and their wings--<FI> are<Fi> to them four;
9
joining one unto another <FI>are<Fi> their wings, they turn not round in their going, each straight forward they go.
10
As to the likeness of their faces, the face of a man, and the face of a lion, toward the right <FI>are<Fi> to them four, and the face of an ox on the left <FI>are<Fi> to them four, and the face of an eagle <FI>are<Fi> to them four.
11
And their faces and their wings are separate from above, to each <FI>are<Fi> two joining together, and two are covering their bodies.
12
And each straight forward they go, whither the spirit is to go, they go, they turn not round in their going.
13
As to the likeness of the living creatures, their appearances <FI>are<Fi> as coals of fire--burning as the appearance of lamps; it is going up and down between the living creatures, and brightness <FI>is<Fi> to the fire, and out of the fire is going forth lightning.
14
And the living creatures are running, and turning back, as the appearance of the flash.
15
And I see the living creatures, and lo, one wheel <FI>is<Fi> in the earth, near the living creatures, at its four faces.
16
The appearance of the wheels and their works <FI>is<Fi> as the colour of beryl, and one likeness <FI>is<Fi> to them four, and their appearances and their works <FI>are<Fi> as it were the wheel in the midst of the wheel.
17
On their four sides, in their going they go, they turn not round in their going.
18
As to their rings, they are both high and fearful, and their rings <FI>are<Fi> full of eyes round about them four.
19
And in the going of the living creatures, the wheels go beside them, and in the living creatures being lifted up from off the earth, lifted up are the wheels.
20
Whither the spirit is to go, they go, thither the spirit <FI>is<Fi> to go, and the wheels are lifted up over-against them, for a living spirit <FI>is<Fi> in the wheels.
21
In their going, they go; and in their standing, they stand; and in their being lifted up from off the earth, lifted up are the wheels over-against them; for a living spirit <FI>is<Fi> in the wheels.
22
And a likeness <FI>is<Fi> over the heads of the living creatures of an expanse, as the colour of the fearful ice, stretched out over their heads from above.
23
And under the expanse their wings <FI>are<Fi> straight, one toward the other, to each are two covering on this side, and to each are two covering on that side--their bodies.
24
And I hear the noise of their wings, as the noise of many waters, as the noise of the Mighty One, in their going--the noise of tumult, as the noise of a camp, in their standing they let fall their wings.
25
And there is a voice from above the expanse, that <FI>is<Fi> above their head: in their standing they let fall their wings.
26
And above the expanse that <FI>is<Fi> over their head, as an appearance of a sapphire stone, <FI>is<Fi> the likeness of a throne, and on the likeness of the throne a likeness, as the appearance of man upon it from above.
27
And I see as the colour of copper, 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 have seen as the appearance of fire, and brightness <FI>is<Fi> to it round about.
28
As the appearance of the bow that is in a cloud in a day of rain, so <FI>is<Fi> the appearance of the brightness round about.
Explanations by Age Level
Explain Like I'm 5
A long, long time ago, there was nothing at all - no earth, no sky, no animals, no people. It was all dark and empty. But God was there! God is so powerful that He can make anything just by speaking. So God said "Let there be light!" and BOOM! There was light everywhere! God saw that the light was beautiful and good. He called the light "day" and the darkness "night." This was the very first day when God started making our wonderful world!
Explain Like I'm 10
Before anything existed - no planets, stars, or life - God decided to create the universe. The earth started out as a dark, empty place covered with water. But God's Spirit was there, ready to bring order and beauty to everything. When God spoke and said "Let there be light," light immediately appeared because God's words have incredible power. God looked at the light and was pleased with what He had made. He organized time by separating light (day) from darkness (night), creating the first 24-hour period. This shows us that God is organized and purposeful in everything He does.
Explain Like I'm 15
Genesis 1:1-5 establishes fundamental theological truths about God and creation. The Hebrew word "bara" (created) indicates creation from nothing (ex nihilo), demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty and power. The phrase "without form and void" (tohu wa-bohu) describes a state of chaos that God transforms into order. The Spirit of God "hovering" or "brooding" over the waters suggests active, caring involvement in creation. The creation of light before the sun (created on day 4) indicates that God Himself is the ultimate source of light and energy. The establishment of day and night creates the framework of time, showing that God operates within orderly patterns while transcending them. This passage refutes both atheistic materialism and pantheism, establishing that God is both transcendent (separate from creation) and immanent (actively involved in it).