Ezekiel 1:8

Ezekiel 1:8 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. All four living creatures had faces and wings,

King James Version KJV

And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings.

American Standard Version ASV

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:

Bible in Basic English BBE

And they had the hands of a man under their wings; the four of them had faces on their four sides.

Free Bible Version FBV

They had human hands under their wings on each of their four sides. The four of them all had faces and wings,

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And the handes of a man came out from vnder their wings in the foure parts of them, and they foure had their faces, and their wings.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and hands of man under their wings — on their four sides, and their faces and their wings — [are] to them four;

World English Bible WEB

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:

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides: and they bad faces, and wings on the four sides,

Translation for Translators T4T

On their four sides under their wings there were hands like humans have.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 1:8

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 1:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB ו/יד/ו וִ/ידֵ֣י אָדָ֗ם מִ/תַּ֨חַת֙ כַּנְפֵי/הֶ֔ם עַ֖ל אַרְבַּ֣עַת רִבְעֵי/הֶ֑ם וּ/פְנֵי/הֶ֥ם וְ/כַנְפֵי/הֶ֖ם לְ/אַרְבַּעְתָּֽ/ם

ו/יד/ו yâd H3027 hand Conj | N-cd | Suff

וִ/ידֵ֣י yâd H3027 hand Conj | N-cd

אָדָ֗ם ʼâdâm H120 the man (Adam) N-ms

מִ/תַּ֨חַת֙ tachath H8478 underneath Prep | Prep

כַּנְפֵי/הֶ֔ם kânâph H3671 wing N-fd | Suff

עַ֖ל ʻal H5921 upon Prep

אַרְבַּ֣עַת ʼarbaʻ H702 four Adj

רִבְעֵי/הֶ֑ם rebaʻ H7253 fourth N-mp | Suff

וּ/פְנֵי/הֶ֥ם pânîym H6440 face Conj | N-cp | Suff

וְ/כַנְפֵי/הֶ֖ם kânâph H3671 wing Conj | N-fd | Suff

לְ/אַרְבַּעְתָּֽ/ם ʼarbaʻ H702 four Prep | Adj | 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 1:8

ו/יד/ו yâd H3027 "hand" Conj | N-cd | Suff

In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.

Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists

Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.

וִ/ידֵ֣י yâd H3027 "hand" Conj | N-cd

אָדָ֗ם ʼâdâm H120 "the man (Adam)" N-ms

Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.

Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being

Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:7; Psalms 8:5.

מִ/תַּ֨חַת֙ tachath H8478 "underneath" Prep | Prep

This Hebrew word means underneath or below, often used to describe physical locations or positions. It appears in various books, including Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to indicate something is under or beneath something else. The word has several related meanings.

Definition: : under/below 1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m 1a) the under part adv accus 1b) beneath prep 1c) under, beneath 1c1) at the foot of (idiom) 1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig) 1c3) of subjection or conquest 1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands 1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun) 1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense) 1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged) conj 1e) instead of, instead of that 1f) in return for that, because that in compounds 1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion) 1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath

Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with. See also: Genesis 1:7; Deuteronomy 7:24; 1 Kings 20:42.

כַּנְפֵי/הֶ֔ם kânâph H3671 "wing" N-fd | Suff

The Hebrew word for wing, used to describe the edge or extremity of something, like a bird's wing or the corner of a garment. It appears in the Bible to describe various objects and locations, including the wing of a bird.

Definition: 1) wing, extremity, edge, winged, border, corner, shirt 1a) wing 1b) extremity 1b1) skirt, corner (of garment)

Usage: Occurs in 85 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] bird, border, corner, end, feather(-ed), [idiom] flying, [phrase] (one an-) other, overspreading, [idiom] quarters, skirt, [idiom] sort, uttermost part, wing(-ed). See also: Genesis 1:21; Psalms 139:9; Psalms 17:8.

עַ֖ל 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.

אַרְבַּ֣עַת 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/הֶ֑ם 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.

וּ/פְנֵי/הֶ֥ם pânîym H6440 "face" Conj | N-cp | Suff

This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.

Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.

וְ/כַנְפֵי/הֶ֖ם kânâph H3671 "wing" Conj | N-fd | Suff

Definition: 1) wing, extremity, edge, winged, border, corner, shirt 1a) wing 1b) extremity 1b1) skirt, corner (of garment)

לְ/אַרְבַּעְתָּֽ/ם ʼarbaʻ H702 "four" Prep | Adj | Suff

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.

Study Notes — Ezekiel 1:8

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Ezekiel 1:8 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 1:8
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 1:8
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 1:8
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 1:8
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 1:8
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 1:8
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 1:8
Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 1:8
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 1:8
Sermons on Ezekiel 1:8

Context — The Four Living Creatures

6but each had four faces and four wings. 7Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the hooves of a calf, gleaming like polished bronze.

8Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. All four living creatures had faces and wings,

9and their wings were touching one another. They did not turn as they moved; each one went straight ahead. 10The form of their faces was that of a man, and each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, the face of an ox on the left side, and also the face of an eagle.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Ezekiel 10:21	Each had four faces and four wings, with what looked like human hands under their wings.
2	Ezekiel 10:11	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.
3	Isaiah 6:6	Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar.
4	Ezekiel 10:18	Then the glory of the LORD moved away from the threshold of the temple and stood above the cherubim.
5	Ezekiel 8:3	He stretched out what looked like a hand and took me by the hair of my head. Then the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and carried me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court, where the idol that provokes jealousy was seated.
6	Ezekiel 10:7–8	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.)
7	Ezekiel 1:17	As they moved, they went in any of the four directions, without pivoting as they moved.
8	Ezekiel 10:2	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.

Ezekiel 1:8 Summary

[Ezekiel 1:8 describes the living creatures as having human hands under their wings, which shows they are able to serve and minister to God, much like we are called to do in our own lives, as seen in Matthew 25:31-46 where Jesus separates the sheep from the goats based on their service to others. The fact that all four creatures have faces and wings emphasizes their unique role as messengers and guardians of God's throne. This verse reminds us that, like the living creatures, we are called to worship and serve God with our whole being, using our own 'hands' to minister to others, as seen in Psalm 100:2 where we are commanded to serve the Lord with gladness.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the human hands under the wings of the living creatures represent?

The human hands under the wings of the living creatures in Ezekiel 1:8 symbolize the creatures' ability to minister and serve, much like human hands are used for various tasks, as seen in Psalm 119:48 where the psalmist lifts his hands to God's commands.

Why do the living creatures have faces and wings?

The faces and wings of the living creatures, as described in Ezekiel 1:8, signify their role as messengers and guardians of God's throne, similar to the cherubim in Exodus 25:18-22 who spread their wings to cover the ark of the covenant.

What is the significance of the four sides of the living creatures having human hands?

The four sides of the living creatures having human hands, as mentioned in Ezekiel 1:8, may represent their ability to move and minister in all directions, much like the wheels within wheels in Ezekiel 1:16-17 that allowed the creatures to move in any direction without turning.

How do the living creatures in Ezekiel relate to other biblical descriptions of heavenly beings?

The living creatures in Ezekiel 1:8 are similar to the seraphim in Isaiah 6:1-3, which also have wings and faces, and are described as worshiping God and proclaiming His holiness, highlighting the connection between these heavenly beings and the worship of God in Revelation 4:6-8.

Reflection Questions

What does the combination of human hands and wings on the living creatures reveal about God's nature and character?
How can I, like the living creatures, use my own 'hands' to serve and worship God in my daily life?
What role do you think the living creatures play in heaven, and how can their example inspire my own worship and service to God?
In what ways can I, like the living creatures, be prepared to move in any direction to fulfill God's will, as described in Ezekiel 1:9?

Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 1:8

And [they had] the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides,.... "Hands of a man" denote action, according to knowledge; ministers of the Gospel are men of practice and business, as well

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 1:8

And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings. They had the hands of a man - the hands of each were the hands of a man.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 1:8

They; each of the four living creatures. Had the hands: hands in every language, especially in the Oriental, imply power; and being the chief instruments of action, are here ascribed to these active instruments that execute the commands of God. Of a man: this is added to denote the wisdom, dexterity, and vigilance wherewith they discharge their ministry. Under their wings; their power and manner of exerting it is secret and invisible, and it is put forth as God pleaseth to move them. On their four sides; on each side of the chariot one of these living creatures stood, and so on each side hands were ready to act as they were moved; and though it was to all parts of the world, yet were they most ready and prepared. And they four had their faces and their wings; it is doubled to confirm the truth and certainty of the thing, and to intimate the greatness of their power, agility, and wisdom.

Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 1:8

Ezekiel 1:8 And [they had] the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings.Ver. 8. And they had the hands of a man under their wings.] Faces, wings, hands, all to express, saith one, the sufficiency of God’ s providence for all means of help. A little of the angels, saith another, is set forth by these faces, wings, hands, feet, but the distinct knowledge of angels, as angels, is reserved till we are like the angels in heaven. Great angels they are, but act invisibly for the most part; their hands are under their wings.

Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 1:8

(8) The hands of a man.—Implying, of course, also human arms. This particular adds to the generally human appearance of the cherubim, yet we must understand (see Ezekiel 1:11) that there were four hands corresponding to the wings for each cherub. These hands were “under their wings on their four sides.” Hence the wings must have been attached at the shoulder. The repetition, “they four had their faces and their wings,” is for the sake of emphasis and distinctness.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 1:8

Verse 8. They had the hands of a man under their wings] I doubt much whether the arms be not here represented as all covered with feathers, so that they had the appearance of wings, only the hand was bare; and I rather think that this is the meaning of their having "the hands of a man under their wings."

Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 1:8

8. Each living creature appears to have had four hands or arms, cf. ch. Ezekiel 10:21. The last words of Eze 1:8 must be joined with Ezekiel 1:9 : “and their faces and their wings, of them four—their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went, they went every one straightforward.” The meaning is that as each creature with his outstretched wings formed one side of the square his wings touched or were joined to those of two other creatures, one on his right and another on his left. The words “they turned not” refer to the faces. The above sentence is very awkward, and the whole is given by LXX. in a much shorter form: Ezekiel 1:8 and the faces of them four Ezekiel 1:9 turned not when they went, they went every one straightforward. The clauses in Ezekiel 1:9 (Heb.) correspond respectively to Ezekiel 1:11-12.

Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 1:8

Or, “They had the hands of a man under their wings on all four sides, just as they had wings and faces on all four sides.”

Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 1:8

8. Hands of a man — Each creature had four wings and beneath the wings “the hand of a man” — whether two or four hands is not stated. The thing to be noted is the symbolic expression of humanity.

Sermons on Ezekiel 1:8

	Sermon	Description
	True Revival - Part 1 (Cd Quality) by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the speaker reflects on a recent earthquake in Houston and connects it to the idea of the whole creation groaning, expressing dissatisfaction and a limit to materia
	Message 12 by George Verwer	In this sermon, the speaker highlights the impact of ordinary people in spreading the gospel. He mentions Mrs. Clamp and Danny's father as examples of normal Americans who were use
	A Vision of Our Culture by Dennis Kinlaw	In this sermon, the preacher shares a powerful experience he had during a gathering where he noticed a wave of sound coming from the audience every time he mentioned the name of Je
	I Saw the Lord! by Steve Gallagher	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of preparing one's heart to receive the word of God. He encourages listeners to consecrate themselves and not evade the reali
	Fren-06 Prêtre Etprophète (Priest and Prophet) by Art Katz	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of destruction and restoration in the kingdom of heaven. He refers to Acts 3:21, which speaks of the period of restoration of
	Edgar's Personal Testimony by Edgar Reich	In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal vision he had where he found himself trapped in a grave, bound by ropes representing his sins. He realizes that if he goes to hell, it
	Signs of the Times by Brian Guerin	Brian Guerin delivers a powerful sermon titled 'Signs of the Times,' emphasizing the urgency of spiritual awakening and the need for purity among believers. He shares prophetic dre