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

20Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, and the wheels would rise up beside them because the spirit of the living being was in the wheel. 21When the living beings moved, the wheels moved, and when they stopped moving, the wheels stopped. When they rose up from the ground, the wheels rose up from the ground; the wheels rose up beside them because the spirit of the living being was in the wheel. Over the heads of the living beings was something like a platform, glittering awesomely like ice, stretched out over their heads. 23Under the platform their wings were stretched out, each toward the other. Each of the beings also had two wings covering its body. 24When they moved, I heard the sound of their wings – it was like the sound of rushing waters, or the voice of the Almighty, or the tumult of an army. When they stood still, they lowered their wings.

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 platform over their heads was something like a sapphire shaped like a throne. High above on the throne was a form that appeared to be a man.
• Ezekiel 10:1As I watched, I saw on the platform above the top of the cherubim something like a sapphire, resembling the shape of a throne, appearing above them.
• Exodus 24:10and they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there was something like a pavement made of sapphire, clear like the sky itself.
• Job 37:22From the north he comes in golden splendor; around God is awesome majesty.
• Revelation 4:3And the one seated on it was like jasper and carnelian in appearance, and a rainbow looking like it was made of emerald encircled the throne.
• Revelation 21:11The city possesses the glory of God; its brilliance is like a precious jewel, like a stone of crystal-clear jasper.

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