Ezekiel 1:22

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

20The living things went wherever the spirit wanted them to go. The wheels would also go with them. That was because the spirit of the living things was in each wheel. 21When the living things moved, the wheels also moved. When the living things stopped, the wheels stopped moving too. When the living things rose up from the ground, the wheels went up at their side. That happened because the spirit of the living things was in each wheel. I saw something over the heads of the living things. It looked like a high roof that shone brightly like ice. 23The living things all stood under the roof. Each of them stood with its wings held out towards the living things on each side of it. They covered their bodies with their other two wings. 24When they moved, I could hear the sound of their wings. They made a noise like lots of water that pours along a river. It was also like the voice of the Almighty God, or the noise of a great army. When the living things stopped moving, they put their wings down at their sides.

Ezekiel 1:22 word by word

וּדְמ֞וּת עַל־רָאשֵׁ֤י הַחַיָּה֙ רָקִ֔יעַ כְּעֵ֖ין הַקֶּ֣רַח הַנּוֹרָ֑א נָט֥וּי עַל־רָאשֵׁיהֶ֖ם מִלְמָֽעְלָה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And the likenessדְּמוּתdemûth · likenessH1823
• of the firmamentרָקִיעַrâqîya‛ · expanseH7549
• upon the headsרֹאשׁrô'sh · headH7218
• of the living creatureחַיָּהchay · living thingH2416
• as the colourעַ֫יִן‛ayin · eye: appearanceH5869
• of the terribleיָרֵאyârê' · to fear: revereH3372
• crystalקֶ֫רַחqerach qôrach · iceH7140
• stretched forthנָטָהnâţâh · to stretchH5186
• aboveמַ֫עַלma‛al · aboveH4605

Cross-references for Ezekiel 1:22

• Ezekiel 1:26Above the roof, there was something that looked like a throne. It was made of a blue jewel called sapphire. On the throne, high above, I saw something that looked like the shape of a man.
• Ezekiel 10:1In the vision, I saw something that looked like a throne. It was made from a blue jewel called sapphire. It was above the roof and it was high over the heads of the cherubs.
• Exodus 24:10They saw the God of Israel there. Under his feet was something like a jewel called sapphire. It was as bright as a clear blue sky.
• Job 37:22God comes with his bright glory from the north! His glory is all around him. It makes us afraid.
• Revelation 4:3The person who sat there shone with bright red and white light, like jewels called jasper and ruby. Around the throne there was a rainbow that shone with bright green light like an emerald jewel.
• Revelation 21:11It had the bright glory of God. It shone like a valuable jewel that is called jasper. It shone like clean glass.

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

• Angel (a Spirit)
• Crystal

In the dictionaries

• Living Creature
• Crystal
• Frost
• Living creatures
• Assyria
• Cherubim (1)
• Creature
• Luke, the Evangelist
• Prophecy; Prophets
• Stones, Precious

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