Ezekiel 1:5

Verse

and within it was the form of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: They had a human form,

American Standard Version (1901)

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;

Bible in Basic English

And in the heart of it were the forms of four living beings. And this was what they were like; they had the form of a man.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And in the midst thereof the likeness of four living creatures: and this was their appearance: there was the likeness of a man in them.

Free Bible Version

and within it was the shape of four beings. This was what they looked like: They had a human shape,

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

Translation for Translators

In the center of the storm I saw what resembled four living creatures. They resembled humans,

Unlocked Literal Bible

In the middle was the likeness of four living creatures. This was their appearance: They had the likeness of a man,

Noah Webster Bible

Also from the midst of it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.

World English Bible

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

Young's Literal Translation

And out of its midst [is] a likeness of four living creatures, and this [is] their appearance; a likeness of man [is] to them,

Context

The Four Living Creatures

⁴I looked and saw a whirlwind coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing back and forth and brilliant light all around it. In the center of the fire was a gleam like amber, ⁵and within it was the form of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: They had a human form,⁶but each had four faces and four wings.

Summary

Ezekiel 1:5 describes a powerful vision of God's glory revealed to the prophet Ezekiel. The verse portrays a whirlwind coming from the north, symbolizing the majestic presence and sovereignty of God. The fire within the whirlwind represents the purifying and consuming nature of God's holiness. This imagery sets the stage for the divine revelations and messages that Ezekiel would receive, highlighting the awe-inspiring nature of God and His divine commission to the prophet.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Also out on the midst thereof came - four living creatures - As the amber-coloured body was the center of the fire, and this fire was in the center of the cloud; so out of this amber-coloured igneous center came the living creatures just mentioned.

John Gill Bible Commentary

Also out of the midst thereof,.... The fire; or out of the whole that was seen; the whirlwind, cloud, fire, and the brightness about it: came the likeness of four living creatures; not really four living creatures; they appeared like to such they were in the form of such; by which we are to understand, not the four monarchies; nor the four Gospels; nor the angels; but ministers of the Gospel; the true key for the opening of this vision is that which John saw, Rev 4:6; the four beasts there, or living creatures, as it should be rendered, are the same with these here, and these the same with them; and who manifestly appear to be not only worshippers of the true God, but to be men redeemed by the blood of Christ; and are distinguished from angels, and also from the four and twenty elders, the representatives of the Gospel churches; and so can design no other than the ministers of the word, with whom all the characters of them agree, as in that vision, so in this; see Rev 4:8. "Creatures" they are; not gods, but men; they are indeed in God's stead, and represent him, being ambassadors of his; but they are frail, mortal, sinful men, of like passions with others; and therefore great allowances must be made for their infirmities and weaknesses: yea, as ministers, they are the creatures of God; he, and not men, has made them able ministers of the New Testament: and they are "living" creatures; they have spiritual life in themselves, and are the means of quickening others; and have need to be, and should be, lively and fervent in their ministrations. Their number, "four", respects the four parts of the, world, to which their commission to preach the Gospel reaches; and whither they are sent, whensoever it is the will and pleasure of God they should got and he has work for them to do; and this was their appearance, they had the likeness of a man; their general likeness was the human form, except in some particulars after mentioned, because they represented men; men humane, tender, kind and pitiful; knowing, and understanding, and acting like men.

Ezekiel 1:5

The Four Living Creatures

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

and within it was the form of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: They had a human form,

American Standard Version (1901)

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;

Bible in Basic English

And in the heart of it were the forms of four living beings. And this was what they were like; they had the form of a man.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And in the midst thereof the likeness of four living creatures: and this was their appearance: there was the likeness of a man in them.

Free Bible Version

and within it was the shape of four beings. This was what they looked like: They had a human shape,

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

Translation for Translators

In the center of the storm I saw what resembled four living creatures. They resembled humans,

Unlocked Literal Bible

In the middle was the likeness of four living creatures. This was their appearance: They had the likeness of a man,

Noah Webster Bible

Also from the midst of it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.

World English Bible

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

Young's Literal Translation

And out of its midst [is] a likeness of four living creatures, and this [is] their appearance; a likeness of man [is] to them,

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Ezekiel 1:5

Verse

Context

The Four Living Creatures

Summary

Commentary

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes

Ezekiel 1:5

The Four Living Creatures

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes