Ezekiel 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.

In the fifth of the month, which was the fifth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity,

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.

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.

Out of its center came the likeness of four living creatures. This was their appearance: They had the likeness of a man.

Everyone had four faces, and each one of them had four wings.

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.

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:

Their wings were joined to one another. They didn’t turn when they went. Each one went straight forward.

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.

Such were their faces. Their wings were spread out above. Two wings of each one touched another, and two covered their bodies.

Each one went straight forward. Where the spirit was to go, they went. They didn’t turn when they went.

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.

The living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.

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.

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.

When they went, they went in their four directions. They didn’t turn when they went.

As for their rims, they were high and dreadful; and the four of them had their rims full of eyes all around.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

There was a voice above the expanse that was over their heads. When they stood, they let down their wings.

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.

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.

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.

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview. This chapter introduces the book of Ezekiel with a majestic vision of God’s glory, received by the prophet during his exile by the river Chebar. It establishes the divine authority of Ezekiel’s prophetic ministry through a dramatic theophany, emphasizing God’s presence even among the captives in Babylon. The vision centers on the Lord enthroned above celestial creatures and wheels, revealing both the transcendence and immanence of God.

Flow.

The time, place, and divine call of Ezekiel are established, grounding the vision in historical reality (vv. 1–3).
Ezekiel sees a storm from the north bearing God’s glory, with four living creatures moving in perfect unity under divine direction (vv. 4–14).
Wheels interlocked with the creatures display God’s wisdom and sovereign mobility, guided by the same spirit (vv. 15–21).
Above the expanse, a throne is seen with the human-like figure of God’s glory, prompting worship and fear (vv. 22–28).

Connections. Following the historical setting of Israel’s exile—the context assumed at the book’s opening—this chapter launches the prophetic commission that the later oracles and symbolic acts will extend. The vision of God’s mobile glory, present far from the temple, prepares the way for chapter 2, where Ezekiel receives his call to speak to a rebellious house. The imagery of divine presence in judgment and holiness, introduced here, undergirds the entire book, including the eventual promise of renewal in the final chapters.

What it teaches. The vision reveals the transcendent glory of God, present not in the temple but among exiles, demonstrating that God’s sovereignty extends beyond Jerusalem (WCF 2.1; HC LD 9). The living creatures and wheels, full of eyes and moving in perfect order, signify God’s omniscience and providential control over all creation (WLC Q&A 36). The form of a man enthroned in fire and brightness, culminating in the rainbow-like radiance, points to God’s covenant presence and holiness, evoking worship and awe (WCF 7.1; HC LD 10). This is not idolatry but a vision meant to disclose God’s invisible attributes through accommodated imagery.

Apply. When God calls from glory, he equips the called for his service.

AI-generated. Not a substitute for Scripture, your pastor, or the confessions.