Ezekiel 1:17
Ezekiel 1:17 in Multiple Translations
As they moved, they went in any of the four directions, without pivoting as they moved.
When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went.
When they went, they went in their four directions: they turned not when they went.
The four of them went straight forward without turning to one side.
They could move in any direction without turning as they did so.
Whe they went, they went vpon their foure sides, and they returned not when they went.
On their four sides, in their going they go, they turn not round in their going.
When they went, they went in their four directions. They didn’t turn when they went.
When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they returned not when they went.
When they went, they went by their four parts: and they turned not when they went.
Whenever they moved, they would go straight in one of the four directions that they faced; they did not turnin another direction while they moved.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 1:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezekiel 1:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
עַל
אַרְבַּ֥עַת
רִבְעֵי/הֶ֖ן
בְּ/לֶכְתָּ֣/ם
יֵלֵ֑כוּ
לֹ֥א
יִסַּ֖בּוּ
בְּ/לֶכְתָּֽ/ן
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
אַרְבַּ֥עַת
ʼarbaʻ
H702
four
Adj
רִבְעֵי/הֶ֖ן
rebaʻ
H7253
fourth
N-mp | Suff
בְּ/לֶכְתָּ֣/ם
yâlak
H3212
to walk
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
יֵלֵ֑כוּ
yâlak
H3212
to walk
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יִסַּ֖בּוּ
çâbab
H5437
to turn
V-Niphal-Imperf-3mp
בְּ/לֶכְתָּֽ/ן
yâlak
H3212
to walk
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 1:17
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
אַרְבַּ֥עַת
ʼarbaʻ
H702
"four"
Adj
The number four is a simple counting number in Hebrew, used to describe quantities of things, such as people, objects, or groups.
Definition: four
Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: four. See also: Genesis 2:10; Judges 20:47; Esther 9:21.
רִבְעֵי/הֶ֖ן
rebaʻ
H7253
"fourth"
N-mp | Suff
This word refers to something that is one-fourth of a whole, like a quarter of a field or a fourth side of a square. It is used to describe division or measurement.
Definition: 1) fourth part, four sides 1a) fourth part 1b) four sides
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: fourth part, side, square. See also: Exodus 29:40; Ezekiel 1:17; Ezekiel 43:17.
בְּ/לֶכְתָּ֣/ם
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
יֵלֵ֑כוּ
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יִסַּ֖בּוּ
çâbab
H5437
"to turn"
V-Niphal-Imperf-3mp
To turn or surround is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can be used literally or figuratively. It appears in the Bible to describe changing direction or surrounding something.
Definition: : turn/bring_around 1) to turn, turn about or around or aside or back or towards, go about or around, surround, encircle, change direction 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn, turn about, be brought round, change 1a2) to march or walk around, go partly around, circle about, skirt, make a round, make a circuit, go about to, surround, encompass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to turn oneself, close round, turn round 1b2) to be turned over to 1c) (Piel) to turn about, change, transform 1d) (Poel) 1d1) to encompass, surround 1d2) to come about, assemble round 1d3) to march, go about 1d4) to enclose, envelop 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to turn, cause to turn, turn back, reverse, bring over, turn into, bring round 1e2) to cause to go around, surround, encompass 1f) (Hophal) 1f1) to be turned 1f2) to be surrounded
Usage: Occurs in 148 OT verses. KJV: bring, cast, fetch, lead, make, walk, [idiom] whirl, [idiom] round about, be about on every side, apply, avoid, beset (about), besiege, bring again, carry (about), change, cause to come about, [idiom] circuit, (fetch a) compass (about, round), drive, environ, [idiom] on every side, beset (close, come, compass, go, stand) round about, inclose, remove, return, set, sit down, turn (self) (about, aside, away, back). See also: Genesis 2:11; 1 Chronicles 16:43; Psalms 7:8.
בְּ/לֶכְתָּֽ/ן
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 1:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 1:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 1:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 1:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 1:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 1:17
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 1:17
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 1:17
- Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 1:17
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 1:17
- Sermons on Ezekiel 1:17
Context — The Four Wheels
15When I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature with its four faces.
16The workmanship of the wheels looked like the gleam of beryl, and all four had the same likeness. Their workmanship looked like a wheel within a wheel.
17As they moved, they went in any of the four directions, without pivoting as they moved.
18Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around. 19So as the living creatures moved, the wheels moved beside them, and when the creatures rose from the ground, the wheels also rose.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 1:9 | and their wings were touching one another. They did not turn as they moved; each one went straight ahead. |
| 2 | Ezekiel 1:12 | Each creature went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they moved. |
| 3 | Isaiah 55:11 | so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it. |
| 4 | Ezekiel 10:1–11 | And I looked and saw above the expanse, above the heads of the cherubim, the likeness of a throne of sapphire. And the LORD said to the man clothed in linen, “Go inside the wheelwork beneath the cherubim. Fill your hands with burning coals from among the cherubim and scatter them over the city.” And as I watched, he went in. Now when the man went in, the cherubim were standing on the south side of the temple, and a cloud filled the inner court. Then the glory of the LORD rose from above the cherubim and stood over the threshold of the temple. The temple was filled with the cloud, and the court was filled with the brightness of the glory of the LORD. The sound of the wings of the cherubim could be heard as far as the outer court, like the voice of God Almighty when He speaks. When the LORD commanded the man clothed in linen, saying, “Take fire from within the wheelwork, from among the cherubim,” the man went in and stood beside a wheel. Then one of the cherubim reached out his hand and took some of the fire that was among them. And he put it into the hands of the man clothed in linen, who received it and went out. (The cherubim appeared to have the form of human hands under their wings.) Then I looked and saw four wheels beside the cherubim, one wheel beside each cherub. And the wheels gleamed like a beryl stone. As for their appearance, all four had the same form, like a wheel within a wheel. When they moved, they would go in any of the four directions, without turning as they moved. For wherever the head faced, the cherubim would go in that direction, without turning as they moved. |
Ezekiel 1:17 Summary
[This verse is talking about the wheels that Ezekiel saw in his vision, and how they were able to move in any direction without turning. This is a picture of God's power and ability to move and work in our lives in any way He chooses, as seen in Psalm 115:3. It's a reminder that God is not limited by our expectations or understanding, and that He can do things that seem impossible to us, as seen in Matthew 19:26. By trusting in God's power and ability, we can have confidence and hope in any situation.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that the wheels moved in any of the four directions without pivoting?
This means that the wheels were able to move in any direction instantly, without having to turn or change direction, much like the way God can move and work in our lives in any direction He chooses, as seen in Psalm 115:3 and Isaiah 46:10.
Is this verse talking about physical wheels or spiritual ones?
While the verse does describe physical wheels, the context of Ezekiel 1 suggests that these wheels represent spiritual realities, such as the movement and work of God in the world, as also seen in Ezekiel 10:16-17.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the vision in Ezekiel 1?
This verse is part of a larger vision given to Ezekiel, in which he sees God's throne and the living creatures that surround it, and it helps to emphasize God's power and ability to move and work in any direction, as also seen in Ezekiel 1:5-14 and Revelation 4:6-8.
What can we learn from the way the wheels moved in this verse?
We can learn that God is able to move and work in our lives in unexpected and powerful ways, and that He is not limited by our expectations or understanding, as seen in Isaiah 55:8-9 and Romans 11:33-36.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that God has moved and worked in my life in unexpected ways, and how can I trust Him to continue to do so?
- How can I apply the idea of God's ability to move in any direction to my own life and circumstances, and what would it look like to trust Him in this way?
- What are some areas of my life where I feel like I am stuck or unable to move forward, and how can I ask God to move and work in those areas?
- How can I cultivate a sense of awe and wonder at God's power and ability to move and work in my life, as described in this verse?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 1:17
When they went, they went upon their four sides,.... On either of their crossing rings, as they were directed by the living creatures, at whose side they stood: [and] they returned not when they
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 1:17
When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went. They went upon their four sides.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 1:17
When they went; the living creatures; indeed the wheels moved according to the motion of the living creatures, but it will as well agree with the truth, as it better agrees with the grammar of the words, to say this; they, i.e. the wheels. They went upon their four sides; the wheels being supposed spherical or round every way as a globe, by an exact and curious framing of two wheels one in the other, the four semicircles which are in two whole wheels may be well taken for these four sides on which these wheels do move, and such a wheel will readily be turned to all points of the compass, as a ball on a billiard table. They turned not when they went; they needed not go back to turn, as we see other chariots or coaches must do, putting back somewhat to alter their course; or, returned not till they came to their journey’ s end; or, nothing could divert them, or put them out of their course. So firm and sure are the methods, so unalterable and constant the purposes, of God, and so invariable the obedience and observance of holy angels; so subject to the just sovereign will of God are all second causes.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 1:17
Ezekiel 1:17 When they went, they went upon their four sides: [and] they turned not when they went.Ver. 17. When they went, they went upon their four sides.] Or, According to their four sides - i.e., through the four parts of the world, as they were moved by the four living creatures. And they returned not when they went.] But kept on straight forward, without stopping or stepping back. A figure of the constant and consonant harmony which is in all the works of God’ s providence toward the world, but especially toward his Church. Diod.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 1:17
(17) Upon their four sides—i.e., forwards or backwards upon the one wheel, and to the right or the left upon the other. Four directions are considered throughout the vision as representing all directions, just as elsewhere the four winds represent all winds, and the four corners of the earth the whole earth.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 1:17
17. they turned not when they went] Of course they ran round on their axle, but each wheel was of such a kind that it had a rim facing all four directions, and could run in any direction. On their four sides should rather be, toward.
Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 1:17
Upon their four sides - i. e. straight in the direction toward which their faces looked.
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 1:17
17. They turned not when they went — Of course they revolved, but as each wheel had a double tire, cutting each other transversely, they never needed to turn around when they wished to go at right
Sermons on Ezekiel 1:17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
A Lecture for Little-Faith by C.H. Spurgeon | The sermon transcript discusses the importance of rejoicing in the Lord and finding gladness in one's heart. It encourages those who have been fasting or feeling sad to anoint thei |
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(The Testimony of Jesus Is the Spirit of Prophecy) Ascending the Holy Hill by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of preaching and the need for it to be restored to its exalted status in the church. He shares the story of a Swiss pastor nam |
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(Biographies) Charles Spurgeon by John Piper | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of perseverance in preaching, even in the face of adversity and criticism. He encourages preachers to have a long-term perspec |
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God Wants to Make Covenant With You! by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the difference between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant in serving God. Under the Old Covenant, people tried to please God through thei |
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You Don't Have to Quit by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the difficult times that people are facing both personally and nationally. He emphasizes the importance of Christian friends and the support a |
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(Steps Towards Spiritual Perfection) - My Soul by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a personal relationship with God. He highlights the tendency of people to rely on others for spiritual nourishment, |
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The Principles of Missions (Basis for Missions - Part 1) by Paris Reidhead | The video is a sermon that emphasizes the eternal purpose of God to bring people to Himself and reveal His glory and grace. It highlights the importance of viewing the Bible as a m |