Ezekiel 1:26

Ezekiel 1:26 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.
• New International Version (NIV)Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And 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.
• New King James Version (NKJV)And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it.

Context of Ezekiel 1:26

24As they flew, their wings sounded to me like waves crashing against the shore or like the voice of the Almighty or like the shouting of a mighty army. When they stopped, they let down their wings. 25As they stood with wings lowered, a voice spoke from beyond the crystal surface above them. Above this surface was something that looked like a throne made of blue lapis lazuli. And on this throne high above was a figure whose appearance resembled a man. 27From what appeared to be his waist up, he looked like gleaming amber, flickering like a fire. And from his waist down, he looked like a burning flame, shining with splendor. 28All around him was a glowing halo, like a rainbow shining in the clouds on a rainy day. This is what the glory of the Lord looked like to me. When I saw it, I fell face down on the ground, and I heard someone’s voice speaking to me.

Ezekiel 1:26 word by word

וּמִמַּ֗עַל לָרָקִ֙יעַ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־רֹאשָׁ֔ם כְּמַרְאֵ֥ה אֶֽבֶן־סַפִּ֖יר דְּמ֣וּת כִּסֵּ֑א וְעַל֙ דְּמ֣וּת הַכִּסֵּ֔א דְּמ֞וּת כְּמַרְאֵ֥ה אָדָ֛ם עָלָ֖יו מִלְמָֽעְלָה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And aboveמַ֫עַלma‛al · aboveH4605
• the firmamentרָקִיעַrâqîya‛ · expanseH7549
• over their headsרֹאשׁrô'sh · headH7218
• the likenessדְּמוּתdemûth · likenessH1823
• of a throneכִּסֵּאkissê' kissêh · throneH3678
• as the appearanceמַרְאֶהmar'eh · appearanceH4758
• of a sapphireסַפִּירsappîyr · sapphireH5601
• stoneאֶ֫בֶן'eben · stoneH68
• of a manאָדָם'âdâm · manH120

Cross-references for Ezekiel 1:26

• Ezekiel 1:22Spread out above them was a surface like the sky, glittering like crystal.
• Ezekiel 10:1In my vision I saw what appeared to be a throne of blue lapis lazuli above the crystal surface over the heads of the cherubim.
• Matthew 28:18Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
• Ephesians 1:21Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.
• Philippians 2:9Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names,
• 1 Peter 3:22Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.
• Psalms 45:6Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice.
• Isaiah 6:1It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple.
• Daniel 7:9I watched as thrones were put in place and the Ancient One sat down to judge. His clothing was as white as snow, his hair like purest wool. He sat on a fiery throne with wheels of blazing fire,
• Zechariah 6:13Yes, he will build the Temple of the Lord. Then he will receive royal honor and will rule as king from his throne. He will also serve as priest from his throne, and there will be perfect harmony between his two roles.’
• Matthew 25:13“So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.
• Hebrews 1:8But to the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice.
• Hebrews 8:1Here is the main point: We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honor beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven.
• Hebrews 12:2We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
• Revelation 4:2And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it.
• Revelation 5:13And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”

Commentaries on Ezekiel 1:26

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 26A sapphire - The pure oriental sapphire, a large well cut specimen of which is now before me, is one of the most beautiful and resplendent blues that can be conceived. I have sometimes seen the heavens assume this illustrious hue. The human form above this canopy is supposed to represent Him who, in the fullness of time, was manifested in the flesh.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 26Sapphire - Clear heavenly blue. The appearance of a man - Deeply significant is the form of this manifestation. Here is no angel conveying God‘s message to man, but the glory of the Lord Himself. We recognize in this vision the prophetic annunciation of the Holy Incarnation. We are told little of the extent to which the human form was made evident to the prophet. For the vision was rather to the mind than to the bodily eye, and even inspired language was…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 26-28Verses 26-28 The eternal Son, the second Person in the Trinity, who afterwards took the human nature, is here denoted. The first thing observed was a throne. It is a throne of glory, a throne of grace, a throne of triumph, a throne of government, a throne of judgment. It is good news to men, that the throne above the firmament is filled with One who appears, even there, in the likeness of a man. The throne is surrounded with a rainbow, the well-known…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 26-27On God's throne was a figure that looked like a man. Ezekiel struggled to describe the scene because it was so magnificent. This human form showed the Lord's bright glory, which had once filled the tabernacle and the temple as a visible sign of God's presence (see Daniel 7:9–10; Revelation 1:12–17). God's presence in human form comforts his faithful people but warns of judgment for those who disobey him. This vision foretells God coming to earth as a man…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2626. The Godhead appears in the likeness of enthroned humanity, as in Ex 24:10. Besides the "paved work of a sapphire stone, as it were the body of heaven in clearness," there, we have here the "throne," and God "as a man," with the "appearance of fire round about." This last was a prelude of the incarnation of Messiah, but in His character as Saviour and as Judge (Re 19:11-16). The azure sapphire answers to the color of the sky. As others are called "sons…Read the comment

Topics related to Ezekiel 1:26

• Colors
• God
• Sapphire

In the dictionaries

• Cherub
• Living creatures
• Sapphire
• Ancient of Days
• Appearance
• Assyria
• Cherubim (1)
• Creature
• Luke, the Evangelist
• Prophecy; Prophets

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