English Standard Version
Ezekiel 1:22
22Over the heads of the living creatures there was the likeness of an expanse, shining like awe-inspiring crystal, spread out above their heads.
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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Spread out above them was a surface like the sky, glittering like crystal.
Context of Ezekiel 1:22
20Wherever the spirit wanted to go, they went, and the wheels rose along with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. 21When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those rose from the earth, the wheels rose along with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. Over the heads of the living creatures there was the likeness of an expanse, shining like awe-inspiring crystal, spread out above their heads. 23And under the expanse their wings were stretched out straight, one toward another. And each creature had two wings covering its body. 24And when they went, I heard the sound of their wings like the sound of many waters, like the sound of the Almighty, a sound of tumult like the sound of an army. When they stood still, they let down 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
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 1:26And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance.
- Ezekiel 10:1Then I looked, and behold, on the expanse that was over the heads of the cherubim there appeared above them something like a sapphire, in appearance like a throne.
- Exodus 24:10and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness.
- Job 37:22Out of the north comes golden splendor; God is clothed with awesome majesty.
- Revelation 4:3And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.
- Revelation 21:11having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, 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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