Ezekiel 10:21
Ezekiel 10:21 in Multiple Translations
Each had four faces and four wings, with what looked like human hands under their wings.
Every one had four faces apiece, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings.
Every one had four faces, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings.
Every one had four faces and every one had four wings; and hands like a man's hands were under their wings.
Each had four faces and four wings and had what looked like human hands under their wings.
Euery one had foure faces, and euery one foure wings, and the likenesse of mans hands was vnder their wings.
Four faces [are] to each, and four wings to each, and the likeness of the hands of man [is] under their wings.
Every one had four faces, and every one four wings. The likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings.
Every one had four faces each, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings.
Each one had four faces, and each one had four wings: and the likeness of a man’s hand was under their wings.
Each of them had four faces and four wings, and under their wings was what resembled a human’s hands.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 10:21
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 10:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אַרְבָּעָ֨ה
אַרְבָּעָ֤ה
פָנִים֙
לְ/אֶחָ֔ד
וְ/אַרְבַּ֥ע
כְּנָפַ֖יִם
לְ/אֶחָ֑ד
וּ/דְמוּת֙
יְדֵ֣י
אָדָ֔ם
תַּ֖חַת
כַּנְפֵי/הֶֽם
אַרְבָּעָ֨ה
ʼarbaʻ
H702
four
Adj
אַרְבָּעָ֤ה
ʼarbaʻ
H702
four
Adj
פָנִים֙
pânîym
H6440
face
N-cp
לְ/אֶחָ֔ד
ʼechâd
H259
one
Prep | Adj
וְ/אַרְבַּ֥ע
ʼarbaʻ
H702
four
Conj | Adj
כְּנָפַ֖יִם
kânâph
H3671
wing
N-fd
לְ/אֶחָ֑ד
ʼechâd
H259
one
Prep | Adj
וּ/דְמוּת֙
dᵉmûwth
H1823
likeness
Conj | N-fs
יְדֵ֣י
yâd
H3027
hand
N-cd
אָדָ֔ם
ʼâdâm
H120
the man (Adam)
N-ms
תַּ֖חַת
tachath
H8478
underneath
Prep
כַּנְפֵי/הֶֽם
kânâph
H3671
wing
N-fd | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 10:21
אַרְבָּעָ֨ה
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.
אַרְבָּעָ֤ה
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.
פָנִים֙
pânîym
H6440
"face"
N-cp
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.
לְ/אֶחָ֔ד
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Prep | Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
וְ/אַרְבַּ֥ע
ʼarbaʻ
H702
"four"
Conj | 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.
כְּנָפַ֖יִם
kânâph
H3671
"wing"
N-fd
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.
לְ/אֶחָ֑ד
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Prep | Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
וּ/דְמוּת֙
dᵉmûwth
H1823
"likeness"
Conj | N-fs
This word refers to a likeness or resemblance, often used to describe something that is similar to something else. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, describing creation and God's relationship with humanity. It helps us understand how things are connected.
Definition: 1) likeness, similitude adv 2) in the likeness of, like as
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: fashion, like (-ness, as), manner, similitude. See also: Genesis 1:26; Ezekiel 1:16; Psalms 58:5.
יְדֵ֣י
yâd
H3027
"hand"
N-cd
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.
אָדָ֔ם
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.
תַּ֖חַת
tachath
H8478
"underneath"
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/הֶֽם
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.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 10:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — God’s Glory Exits the Temple
19As I watched, the cherubim lifted their wings and rose up from the ground, with the wheels beside them as they went. And they stopped at the entrance of the east gate of the house of the LORD, with the glory of the God of Israel above them.
20These were the living creatures I had seen beneath the God of Israel by the River Kebar, and I knew that they were cherubim.
21Each had four faces and four wings, with what looked like human hands under their wings.
22Their faces looked like the faces I had seen by the River Kebar. Each creature went straight ahead.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 1:6 | but each had four faces and four wings. |
| 2 | Ezekiel 41:18–19 | were alternating carved cherubim and palm trees. Each cherub had two faces: the face of a man was toward the palm tree on one side, and the face of a young lion was toward the palm tree on the other side. They were carved all the way around the temple. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 10:14 | Each of the cherubim had four faces: the first face was that of a cherub, the second that of a man, the third that of a lion, and the fourth that of an eagle. |
| 4 | Revelation 4:7 | The first living creature was like a lion, the second like a calf, the third had a face like a man, and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. |
| 5 | Ezekiel 1:8–10 | Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. All four living creatures had faces and wings, and their wings were touching one another. They did not turn as they moved; each one went straight ahead. The 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. |
Ezekiel 10:21 Summary
[Ezekiel 10:21 describes the cherubim as having four faces and four wings, with human hands under their wings, which symbolizes their role as servants of God, emphasizing their ability to act and serve Him. This image reminds us that, like the cherubim, we are called to worship and serve God with our unique gifts and abilities, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:4-7. The cherubim's four faces and wings also represent God's multifaceted character and creation, highlighting the diversity and complexity of His nature, as seen in Revelation 4:7. As we reflect on this verse, we can ask ourselves how we can be faithful servants of God, using our talents and abilities to worship and serve Him.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the four faces of the cherubim in Ezekiel 10:21?
The four faces of the cherubim are not explicitly described in Ezekiel 10:21, but in Ezekiel 1:10, they are described as the face of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle, which symbolize different aspects of God's character and creation, as seen in Revelation 4:7.
What is the significance of the human hands under the wings of the cherubim?
The human hands under the wings of the cherubim in Ezekiel 10:21 represent the capacity for action and service, highlighting the cherubim's role as servants of God, similar to the description in Psalm 104:4, where the winds are described as God's messengers.
How do the four wings of the cherubim relate to their role in heaven?
The four wings of the cherubim in Ezekiel 10:21 signify their swiftness and agility in serving God, as seen in Isaiah 6:1-3, where the seraphim have six wings, which they use to fly and worship God.
Are the cherubim in Ezekiel 10:21 the same as those in other parts of the Bible?
Yes, the cherubim in Ezekiel 10:21 are the same as those described in Exodus 25:18-22 and 1 Kings 6:23-28, which were carved on the ark of the covenant and the walls of the temple, symbolizing God's presence and protection, as seen in Hebrews 9:5.
Reflection Questions
- What does the description of the cherubim in Ezekiel 10:21 reveal about God's character and nature?
- How can I, like the cherubim, be a faithful servant of God, using my unique gifts and abilities to worship and serve Him?
- What does the image of human hands under the wings of the cherubim teach me about the relationship between God's power and human responsibility?
- In what ways can I apply the symbolism of the four faces and four wings of the cherubim to my own life and spiritual journey?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 10:21
Every one had four faces apiece,.... Every one of the four living creatures, or cherubim, had four faces; which were the face of a man, of a lion, of an ox, and of an eagle, Ezekiel 1:10; and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 10:21
Every one had four faces apiece, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings. Every one had four faces apiece.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 10:21
Ezekiel 10:21 Every one had four faces apiece, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the hands of a man [was] under their wings.Ver. 21. Every one had four faces apiece.] Ad taedium usque eandem rem repetit, ut nihil excusationis haberent. These careless and cross-grained Jews are told the same things thus over and over, to leave them without all excuse, if they would not be wrought upon by all.
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 10:21
20-22. I knew that they were the cherubim — If we try to dissect this vision we are in great danger of taking all the life out of it.
Sermons on Ezekiel 10:21
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
John: The Apostle of Testimony by Chip Brogden | Chip Brogden delves into the natural order and progression of the New Testament, highlighting the significance of each section from the earthly ministry of Jesus to the warnings ag |