Berean Standard Bible
Ezekiel 1:22
22Spread out above the heads of the living creatures was the likeness of an awesome expanse, gleaming like crystal.
Ezekiel 1:22 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.
- New International Version (NIV)Spread out above the heads of the living creatures was what looked something like a vault, sparkling like crystal, and awesome.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Over the heads of the living creatures there was the likeness of an expanse, shining like awe-inspiring crystal, spread out above their heads.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The likeness of the firmament above the heads of the living creatures was like the color of an awesome crystal, stretched out over their heads.
Context of Ezekiel 1:22
20Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, and the wheels would rise alongside them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. 21When the creatures moved, the wheels moved; when the creatures stood still, the wheels stood still; and when the creatures rose from the ground, the wheels rose alongside them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. Spread out above the heads of the living creatures was the likeness of an awesome expanse, gleaming like crystal. 23And under the expanse, their wings stretched out toward one another. Each one also had two wings covering its body. 24When the creatures moved, I heard the sound of their wings like the roar of many waters, like the voice of the Almighty, like the tumult of an army. When they stood still, they lowered their wings.
Read all of Ezekiel 1Ezekiel 1:22 word by word
וּדְמ֞וּת עַל־רָאשֵׁ֤י הַחַיָּה֙ רָקִ֔יעַ כְּעֵ֖ין הַקֶּ֣רַח הַנּוֹרָ֑א נָט֥וּי עַל־רָאשֵׁיהֶ֖ם מִלְמָֽעְלָה׃Read the interlinear
- Spread outנָטָהnâţâh · to stretchH5186
- aboveעַל‛al · uponH5921
- aboveמַ֫עַלma‛al · aboveH4605
- the headsרֹאשׁrô'sh · headH7218
- of the living creaturesחַיָּהchay · living thingH2416
- the likenessדְּמוּתdemûth · likenessH1823
- of an awesomeיָרֵאyârê' · to fear: revereH3372
- expanseרָקִיעַrâqîya‛ · expanseH7549
- gleamingעַ֫יִן‛ayin · eye: appearanceH5869
- like crystalקֶ֫רַחqerach qôrach · iceH7140
Cross-references for Ezekiel 1:22
- Ezekiel 1:26Above the expanse over their heads was the likeness of a throne with the appearance of sapphire, and on the throne high above was a figure like that of a man.
- Ezekiel 10:1And I looked and saw above the expanse, above the heads of the cherubim, the likeness of a throne of sapphire.
- Exodus 24:10and they saw the God of Israel. Under His feet was a work like a pavement made of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself.
- Job 37:22Out of the north He comes in golden splendor; awesome majesty surrounds Him.
- Revelation 4:3The One seated there looked like jasper and carnelian, and a rainbow that gleamed like an emerald encircled the throne.
- Revelation 21:11shining with the glory of God. Its radiance was like a most precious jewel, like a jasper, as clear as crystal.
Commentaries on Ezekiel 1:22
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 22The color of the terrible crystal - Like a crystal, well cut and well polished, with various faces, by which rays of light were refracted, assuming either a variety of prismatic colors, or an insufferably brilliant splendor. This seems to be the meaning of the terrible crystal. Newcome translates, fearful ice. The common translation is preferable.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 22“The color” (Hebrew, “eye”) “of the terrible crystal” refers to the dazzling brightness of the “firmament,” a clear bright expanse between the “throne” and the “living creatures,” separating heaven from earth.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-25Verses 15-25 Providence, represented by the wheels, produces changes. Sometimes one spoke of the wheel is uppermost, sometimes another; but the motion of the wheel on its own axletree is regular and steady. We need not despond in adversity; the wheels are turning round and will raise us in due time, while those who presume in prosperity know not how soon they may be cast down. The wheel is near the living creatures; the angels are employed as ministers of…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 22-25The surface that looked like the sky, shining like crystal, separated God’s realm from the human realm. It marked the boundary between heaven (the place of God’s presence) and earth. The vision includes images of the sky, the cherubim (see study note on Ezekiel 1:11–14), and the rainbow (Ezekiel 1:28). These images remind us of the opening chapters of Genesis. They suggest that the story about to unfold concerns the destruction of what God had created…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2222. upon the heads--rather, "above the heads" [Fairbairn]. colour--glitter. terrible crystal--dazzling the spectator by its brightness.Read the comment
Topics related to Ezekiel 1:22
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ezekiel 1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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