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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ezekiel 1:4 I looked and saw a whirlwind coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing back and forth and brilliant light all around it. In the center of the fire was a gleam like amber,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezekiel/1-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/26_Ezk_01_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezekiel 1:4 - The Four Living Creatures" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I looked and saw a whirlwind coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing back and forth and brilliant light all around it. In the center of the fire was a gleam like amber," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ezekiel/1-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ezekiel/1-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ezekiel/">Ezekiel</a> > <a href="/ezekiel/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ezekiel/1-3.htm" title="Ezekiel 1:3">◄</a> Ezekiel 1:4 <a href="/ezekiel/1-5.htm" title="Ezekiel 1:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/ezekiel/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/ezekiel/1.htm">New International Version</a> I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north—an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal, <a href="/nlt/ezekiel/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> As I looked, I saw a great storm coming from the north, driving before it a huge cloud that flashed with lightning and shone with brilliant light. There was fire inside the cloud, and in the middle of the fire glowed something like gleaming amber. <a href="/esv/ezekiel/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> As I looked, behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, and a great cloud, with brightness around it, and fire flashing forth continually, and in the midst of the fire, as it were gleaming metal. <a href="/bsb/ezekiel/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> I looked and saw a whirlwind coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing back and forth and brilliant light all around it. In the center of the fire was a gleam like amber, <a href="/kjv/ezekiel/1.htm">King James Bible</a> And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. <a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/1.htm">New King James Version</a> Then I looked, and behold, a whirlwind was coming out of the north, a great cloud with raging fire engulfing itself; and brightness was all around it and radiating out of its midst like the color of amber, out of the midst of the fire. <a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> As I looked, behold, a high wind was coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing intermittently and a bright light around it, and in its midst something like gleaming metal in the midst of the fire. <a href="/nasb/ezekiel/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> As I looked, behold, a storm wind was coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing forth continually and a bright light around it, and in its midst something like glowing metal in the midst of the fire. <a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And as I looked, behold, a storm wind was coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing forth continually and a bright light around it, and in its midst something like glowing metal in the midst of the fire. <a href="/lsb/ezekiel/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then I looked, and behold, a storm wind was coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing forth continually and a bright light all around it, and in its midst something like the gleam of glowing metal in the midst of the fire. <a href="/amp/ezekiel/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> As I looked, I saw a stormy wind coming out of the north, a great cloud with fire flashing continually from it; and a brightness was around it, and in its core [there was] something like glowing [amber-colored] metal in the midst of the fire. <a href="/csb/ezekiel/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> I looked, and there was a whirlwind coming from the north, a huge cloud with fire flashing back and forth and brilliant light all around it. In the center of the fire, there was a gleam like amber. <a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> I looked and there was a whirlwind coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing back and forth and brilliant light all around it. In the center of the fire, there was a gleam like amber. <a href="/asv/ezekiel/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> And I looked, and, behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, a great cloud, with a fire infolding itself, and a brightness round about it, and out of the midst thereof as it were glowing metal, out of the midst of the fire. <a href="/cev/ezekiel/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> I saw a windstorm blowing in from the north. Lightning flashed from a huge cloud and lit up the whole sky with a dazzling brightness. The fiery center of the cloud was as shiny as polished metal, <a href="/erv/ezekiel/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> And I looked, and, behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, a great cloud, with a fire infolding itself, and a brightness round about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. <a href="/gwt/ezekiel/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> As I looked, I saw a storm coming from the north. There was an immense cloud with flashing lightning surrounded by a bright light. The middle of the lightning looked like glowing metal. <a href="/gnt/ezekiel/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> I looked up and saw a windstorm coming from the north. Lightning was flashing from a huge cloud, and the sky around it was glowing. Where the lightning was flashing, something shone like bronze. <a href="/isv/ezekiel/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> I was amazed to see a wind storm blow in from the north, consisting of a massive cloud and fire that was flashing back and forth, surrounded by bright light. From deep within the cloud, something was shining that appeared to have a color like bronze that had been placed in fire until it glowed. <a href="/msb/ezekiel/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> I looked and saw a whirlwind coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing back and forth and brilliant light all around it. In the center of the fire was a gleam like amber, <a href="/net/ezekiel/1.htm">NET Bible</a> As I watched, I noticed a windstorm coming from the north--an enormous cloud, with lightning flashing, such that bright light rimmed it and came from it like glowing amber from the middle of a fire. <a href="/nheb/ezekiel/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> I looked, and look, a stormy wind came out of the north, a great cloud, with flashing lightning, and a brightness around it, and out of its midst as it were glowing metal, out of the midst of the fire. <a href="/wbt/ezekiel/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And I looked, and behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and from the midst of it as the color of amber, from the midst of the fire. <a href="/web/ezekiel/1.htm">World English Bible</a> I looked, and behold, a stormy wind came out of the north: a great cloud, with flashing lightning, and a brightness around it, and out of the middle of it as it were glowing metal, out of the middle of the fire. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And I look, and behold, a turbulent wind is coming from the north, a great cloud, and fire catching itself, and brightness to it all around, and out of its midst as the color of electrum, out of the midst of the fire. <a href="/ylt/ezekiel/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And I look, and lo, a tempestuous wind is coming from the north, a great cloud, and fire catching itself, and brightness to it round about, and out of its midst as the colour of copper, out of the midst of the fire. <a href="/slt/ezekiel/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And I shall see, and behold, the spirit of a tempest came from the north, a great cloud, and a fire taking itself, and a shining to it round about, and from its midst as the appearance of burnished brass from the midst of the fire.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ezekiel/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And I saw, and behold a whirlwind came out of the north: and a great cloud, and a fire infolding it, and brightness was about it: and out of the midst thereof, that is, out of the midst of the fire, as it were the resemblance of amber: <a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And I saw, and behold, a whirlwind arrived from the north. And a great cloud, wrapped in fire and brightness, was all around it. And from its midst, that is, from the midst of the fire, there was something with the appearance of amber. <a href="/nabre/ezekiel/1.htm">New American Bible</a> As I watched, a great stormwind came from the North, a large cloud with flashing fire, a bright glow all around it, and something like polished metal gleamed at the center of the fire. <a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> As I looked, a stormy wind came out of the north: a great cloud with brightness around it and fire flashing forth continually, and in the middle of the fire, something like gleaming amber.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And I looked, and behold, a whirlwind was coming out of the north, a great cloud, and a flaming fire and a brightness was round about it, and out of the midst of it there came as it were a figure out of the midst of the fire. <a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And I saw and, behold, the wind of a hurricane was coming from the north, a great cloud and a fire that was kindled, and it shone brightly around it, and within it was as a figure from within the fire<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/ezekiel/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And I looked, and, behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, a great cloud, with a fire flashing up, so that a brightness was round about it; and out of the midst thereof as the colour of electrum, out of the midst of the fire. <a href="/sep/ezekiel/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And I looked, and, behold, a sweeping wind came from the north, and a great cloud on it, and there was brightness round about it, and gleaming fire, and in the midst of it as it were the appearance of amber in the midst of the fire, and brightness in it. <a href="/parallel/ezekiel/1-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vET3Gmwku4s?start=30" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/1.htm">The Four Living Creatures</a> 4<a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: wā·’ê·re (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">I looked</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: wə·hin·nêh (Conj-w:: Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">and saw</a> <a href="/hebrew/7307.htm" title="7307: rū·aḥ (N-csc) -- Breath, wind, spirit. From ruwach; wind; by resemblance breath.">a whirlwind</a> <a href="/hebrew/5591.htm" title="5591: sə·‘ā·rāh (N-fs) -- A hurricane. Or ctarah; from ca'ar; a hurricane."></a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: bā·’āh (V-Qal-Prtcpl-fs) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">coming</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: min- (Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/6828.htm" title="6828: haṣ·ṣā·p̄ō·wn (Art:: N-fs) -- North. Or tsaphon; from tsaphan; properly, hidden, i.e. Dark; used only of the north as a quarter.">the north,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1419.htm" title="1419: gā·ḏō·wl (Adj-ms) -- Great. Or gadol; from gadal; great; hence, older; also insolent.">a great</a> <a href="/hebrew/6051.htm" title="6051: ‘ā·nān (N-ms) -- A cloud mass, cloud. From anan; a cloud, i.e. The nimbus or thunder-cloud.">cloud</a> <a href="/hebrew/784.htm" title="784: wə·’êš (Conj-w:: N-cs) -- A fire. A primitive word; fire.">with fire</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: miṯ·laq·qa·ḥaṯ (V-Hitpael-Prtcpl-fs) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">flashing back and forth</a> <a href="/hebrew/5051.htm" title="5051: wə·nō·ḡah (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- Brightness. From nagahh; brilliancy.">and brilliant light</a> <a href="/hebrew/5439.htm" title="5439: sā·ḇîḇ (Adv) -- Circuit, round about. Or cbiybah; from cabab; a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly around.">all around</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">it.</a> <a href="/hebrew/8432.htm" title="8432: ū·mit·tō·w·ḵāh (Conj-w, Prep-m:: N-msc:: 3fs) -- Midst. From an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. the centre.">In the center</a> <a href="/hebrew/784.htm" title="784: hā·’êš (Art:: N-cs) -- A fire. A primitive word; fire.">of the fire</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: kə·‘ên (Prep-k:: N-csc) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">was a gleam</a> <a href="/hebrew/2830.htm" title="2830: ha·ḥaš·mal (Art:: N-ms) -- Perhaps amber. Of uncertain derivation; probably bronze or polished spectrum metal.">like amber,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8432.htm" title="8432: mit·tō·wḵ (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- Midst. From an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. the centre."></a> 5and within it was the form of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: They had a human form,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/revelation/4-5.htm">Revelation 4:5</a> From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder. Before the throne burned seven torches of fire. These are the seven spirits of God. <a href="/revelation/1-14.htm">Revelation 1:14-15</a> The hair of His head was white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like a blazing fire. / His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters. <a href="/daniel/7-9.htm">Daniel 7:9-10</a> As I continued to watch, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. / A river of fire was flowing, coming out from His presence. Thousands upon thousands attended Him, and myriads upon myriads stood before Him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. <a href="/exodus/19-16.htm">Exodus 19:16-18</a> On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud was upon the mountain, and a very loud blast of the ram’s horn went out, so that all the people in the camp trembled. / Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. / Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. <a href="/revelation/10-1.htm">Revelation 10:1</a> Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head. His face was like the sun, and his legs were like pillars of fire. <a href="/isaiah/6-4.htm">Isaiah 6:4</a> At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook, and the temple was filled with smoke. <a href="/jeremiah/4-13.htm">Jeremiah 4:13</a> Behold, he advances like the clouds, his chariots like the whirlwind. His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are ruined! <a href="/nahum/1-3.htm">Nahum 1:3</a> The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. His path is in the whirlwind and storm, and clouds are the dust beneath His feet. <a href="/acts/2-2.htm">Acts 2:2-3</a> Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. / They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. <a href="/2_kings/2-11.htm">2 Kings 2:11</a> As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind. <a href="/zechariah/6-1.htm">Zechariah 6:1-5</a> And again I lifted up my eyes and saw four chariots coming out from between two mountains—mountains of bronze. / The first chariot had red horses, the second black horses, / the third white horses, and the fourth dappled horses—all of them strong. ... <a href="/psalms/18-12.htm">Psalm 18:12-14</a> From the brightness of His presence His clouds advanced—hailstones and coals of fire. / The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded—hailstones and coals of fire. / He shot His arrows and scattered the foes; He hurled lightning and routed them. <a href="/matthew/24-27.htm">Matthew 24:27</a> For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. <a href="/job/38-1.htm">Job 38:1</a> Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: <a href="/isaiah/29-6.htm">Isaiah 29:6</a> you will be visited by the LORD of Hosts with thunder and earthquake and loud noise, with windstorm and tempest and consuming flame of fire.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire enfolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the middle thereof as the color of amber, out of the middle of the fire.a whirlwind<a href="/isaiah/21-1.htm">Isaiah 21:1</a> The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land.<a href="/jeremiah/1-13.htm">Jeremiah 1:13,14</a> And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething pot; and the face thereof is toward the north… <a href="/jeremiah/4-6.htm">Jeremiah 4:6</a> Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction.a great<a href="/ezekiel/10-2.htm">Ezekiel 10:2-4</a> And he spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, even under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city. And he went in in my sight… <a href="/exodus/19-16.htm">Exodus 19:16-18</a> And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled… <a href="/exodus/24-16.htm">Exodus 24:16,17</a> And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud… <a href="/ezekiel/1-27.htm">Ezekiel 1:27</a> And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.<a href="/ezekiel/8-2.htm">Ezekiel 8:2</a> Then I beheld, and lo a likeness as the appearance of fire: from the appearance of his loins even downward, fire; and from his loins even upward, as the appearance of brightness, as the colour of amber.<a href="/ezekiel/10-8.htm">Ezekiel 10:8,9</a> And there appeared in the cherubims the form of a man's hand under their wings… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/8-2.htm">Amber</a> <a href="/isaiah/62-1.htm">Brightness</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-44.htm">Cloud</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-31.htm">Color</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-31.htm">Colour</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-20.htm">Continually</a> <a href="/ezekiel/8-2.htm">Electrum</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-11.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/psalms/76-3.htm">Flashing</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-50.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/job/20-25.htm">Gleaming</a> <a href="/isaiah/63-1.htm">Glowing</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-32.htm">Great</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-12.htm">Itself</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-16.htm">Lightning</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-17.htm">Metal</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-1.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-48.htm">North</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-7.htm">Round</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-14.htm">Something</a> <a href="/jeremiah/30-23.htm">Storm</a> <a href="/psalms/148-8.htm">Stormy</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-5.htm">Surrounded</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-11.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/jeremiah/30-23.htm">Whirlwind</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-16.htm">Wind</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/1-27.htm">Amber</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-13.htm">Brightness</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-28.htm">Cloud</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-7.htm">Color</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-7.htm">Colour</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-16.htm">Continually</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-27.htm">Electrum</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-5.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-13.htm">Flashing</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-13.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-16.htm">Gleaming</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-27.htm">Glowing</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-24.htm">Great</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-14.htm">Itself</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-14.htm">Lightning</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-27.htm">Metal</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-5.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/ezekiel/8-3.htm">North</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-9.htm">Round</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-13.htm">Something</a> <a href="/ezekiel/38-9.htm">Storm</a> <a href="/ezekiel/13-11.htm">Stormy</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-27.htm">Surrounded</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-5.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/daniel/11-40.htm">Whirlwind</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-12.htm">Wind</a><div class="vheading2">Ezekiel 1</div>1. <a href="/ezekiel/1-1.htm">The time of Ezekiel's prophecy at Chebar.</a> 4. <a href="/ezekiel/1-4.htm">His vision of four cherubim;</a> 15. <a href="/ezekiel/1-15.htm">of the four wheels;</a> 26. <a href="/ezekiel/1-26.htm">and of the glory of God.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The "whirlwind" is often associated with God's presence and power, as seen in <a href="/job/38.htm">Job 38:1</a> and <a href="/2_kings/2.htm">2 Kings 2:1</a>. The direction "from the north" is significant; in biblical times, the north was often seen as the direction from which divine judgment or significant events would come, as seen in <a href="/jeremiah/1-14.htm">Jeremiah 1:14</a>. This could symbolize impending judgment on Jerusalem, as Babylon, the instrument of God's judgment, lay to the north of Israel.a great cloud with fire flashing back and forth The "great cloud" is a common biblical symbol of God's glory and presence, as seen in <a href="/exodus/19-9.htm">Exodus 19:9</a> and <a href="/1_kings/8-10.htm">1 Kings 8:10-11</a>. The "fire flashing back and forth" suggests the intensity and dynamic nature of God's presence. Fire is a frequent biblical symbol of purification and judgment, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/4-24.htm">Deuteronomy 4:24</a> and <a href="/hebrews/12-29.htm">Hebrews 12:29</a>. This imagery underscores the holiness and consuming nature of God.and brilliant light all around it The "brilliant light" signifies the glory and majesty of God, often described as unapproachable light in <a href="/1_timothy/6-16.htm">1 Timothy 6:16</a>. This light represents divine revelation and truth, illuminating the darkness of human understanding. It also connects to the Shekinah glory, the visible manifestation of God's presence, as seen in <a href="/exodus/40-34.htm">Exodus 40:34-35</a>.In the center of the fire was a gleam like amber The "center of the fire" suggests the heart of God's presence, where His essence and glory are most intense. "Amber" is a translation of the Hebrew word "chashmal," which is often understood as a glowing metal or electrum, a natural alloy of gold and silver. This gleam represents the purity and preciousness of God's nature. The imagery of precious metals is often used in scripture to describe divine attributes, as seen in <a href="/revelation/1-15.htm">Revelation 1:15</a>. This vision of divine glory foreshadows the ultimate revelation of God in Jesus Christ, who is described as the radiance of God's glory in <a href="/hebrews/1-3.htm">Hebrews 1:3</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/e/ezekiel.htm">Ezekiel</a> A prophet and priest during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is the recipient of this vision. His ministry was to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. 2. <a href="/topical/w/whirlwind.htm">Whirlwind</a> A powerful and often divine symbol in the Bible, representing God's presence and power. In Hebrew, the word is "se'arah," which can mean a storm or tempest. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_north.htm">The North</a> Symbolically significant in biblical prophecy, often associated with God's judgment or the direction from which divine intervention comes. 4. <a href="/topical/f/fire_and_cloud.htm">Fire and Cloud</a> These elements are frequently associated with God's presence, as seen in the wilderness journey of the Israelites where God led them by a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. 5. <a href="/topical/a/amber.htm">Amber</a> The Hebrew word "chashmal" is used here, which is often translated as "amber" or "electrum," a glowing, metallic substance, symbolizing divine glory and purity.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_power.htm">God's Sovereignty and Power</a> The whirlwind and fire symbolize God's immense power and control over creation. We are reminded of His sovereignty in our lives, encouraging us to trust in His plans even when they are beyond our understanding. <a href="/topical/d/divine_presence.htm">Divine Presence</a> The imagery of fire and cloud signifies God's presence. As believers, we can find comfort in knowing that God is always with us, guiding and protecting us through life's storms. <a href="/topical/j/judgment_and_purity.htm">Judgment and Purity</a> The elements of fire and amber highlight God's holiness and the purifying aspect of His judgment. We are called to live lives of holiness, reflecting God's purity in our actions and thoughts. <a href="/topical/v/vision_and_revelation.htm">Vision and Revelation</a> Ezekiel's vision is a reminder of how God reveals Himself to His people. We should seek to be open to God's revelations through His Word and Spirit, allowing them to transform our lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezekiel_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 1</a> <a href="/q/inconsistencies_in_ezekiel_1_vs._isaiah_6.htm">Are there any inconsistencies between Ezekiel's vision (Ezekiel 1) and visions of divine glory in other scriptural passages, such as Isaiah 6 or Revelation 4?</a> <a href="/q/is_ezekiel_1_vision_evidence-based_or_myth.htm">Is there archaeological or historical evidence supporting Ezekiel’s vivid vision in Ezekiel 1, or does it seem purely mythological?</a> <a href="/q/main_themes_in_ezekiel.htm">What are the main themes in the Book of Ezekiel?</a> <a href="/q/why_no_details_on_paul's_'inexpressible'.htm">If Paul heard “inexpressible things” (2 Corinthians 12:4), why does he offer no verifiable details, and should this cast doubt on his account? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ezekiel/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) A whirlwind came out of the north.--The north is seen as the quarter from which the vision proceeded, not because the Babylonians conceived that there was the seat of Divine power (<a href="/context/isaiah/14-13.htm" title="For you have said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also on the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:">Isaiah 14:13-14</a>), but because it was common with the prophets to represent the Divine judgments upon Judaea as coming from the north (see <a href="/context/jeremiah/1-14.htm" title="Then the LORD said to me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth on all the inhabitants of the land.">Jeremiah 1:14-15</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/4-6.htm" title="Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction.">Jeremiah 4:6</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/6-1.htm" title="O you children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the middle of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Bethhaccerem: for evil appears out of the north, and great destruction.">Jeremiah 6:1</a>), and it was from that direction that the Assyrian and the Chaldaean conquerors were accustomed to descend upon the Holy Land. The vision is actually seen in Chaldaea, but it has reference to Jerusalem, and is described as if viewed from that standpoint.A great cloud.--As in the Divine manifestation on Sinai (<a href="/context/exodus/19-9.htm" title="And the LORD said to Moses, See, I come to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you for ever. And Moses told the words of the people to the LORD.">Exodus 19:9-16</a>). The cloud serves at once as the groundwork for all the other details of the manifestation--a place in, and by means of which, all are located, and also as a hiding-place of the Divine majesty, so that all may be seen which human eye can bear, and that which it cannot bear may yet be known to be there, shrouded in the cloud. The transposition of a single letter from the end of one word in the Hebrew to the beginning of the next will change the reading to "a whirlwind out of the north brought on a great cloud." . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezekiel/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - A whirlwind came out of the north. What, we ask, was the meaning of this symbolism? In <a href="/jeremiah/1-13.htm">Jeremiah 1:13, 14</a> a like symbol is explained as meaning that the judgments which Judah was to suffer were to come from the north, that is, from Chaldea, upon the prophet's countrymen. Here the prophet is himself in Chaldea, and what he sees is the symbol, not or calamities, but of the Divine glory, and that explanation is, accordingly, inapplicable. Probably the leading thought here is that the Divine presence is no longer in the temple at Jerusalem, It may return for a time to execute judgment (<a href="/ezekiel/8-4.htm">Ezekiel 8:4</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/10-1.htm">Ezekiel 10:1, 19, 20</a>), and may again depart (<a href="/ezekiel/11-23.htm">Ezekiel 11:23</a>), but the abiding glory is elsewhere, and the temple is as Shitoh had been of old (<a href="/psalms/78-60.htm">Psalm 78:60</a>). Ezekiel was looking on the visible symbol of what had been declared in unfigurative language by Jeremiah (<a href="/jeremiah/7-12.htm">Jeremiah 7:12, 14</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/26-6.htm">Jeremiah 26:6, 9</a>). That the north should have been chosen rather than any other quarter of the heavens is perhaps connected (1) with <a href="/job/37-22.htm">Job 37:22</a>, where it appears as the region of "fair weather," the unclouded brightness of the "terrible majesty" of God; (2) with <a href="/isaiah/14-13.htm">Isaiah 14:13</a>, where "the sides of the north" are the symbols of the dwelling place of God. For the Jews this was probably associated with the thought of the mountain heights of Lebanon as rising up to heaven (Currey, on <a href="/ezekiel/1-4.htm">Ezekiel 1:4</a>, in 'Speaker's Commentary'), or with the fact that the "north side" of Zion (<a href="/psalms/48-2.htm">Psalm 48:2</a>), as the site of the temple, was the "dwelling place of the great King." Parallels present themselves in the Assyrian hymns that speak of the "feasts of the silver mountains, the heavenly courts" (as the Greeks spoke of Olympus), "where the gods dwell eternally" ('Records of the Past,' 3:133), and this ideal mountain was for them, like the Meru of Indian legend, in the farthest north. So, in the legendary geography of Greece, the Hyperborei, or "people beyond the north," were a holy and blessed race, the chosen servants of Apollo (Herod., 4:32-36: Pindar, 'Pyth.,' 10:4; AEsch., 'Choeph.,' 373). Possibly the brilliant coruscations of an Aurora Borealis may have led men to think of it as they thought of the glory of the dawn or the brightness of the lightning, as a momentary revelation of the higher glory of the throne of God. (For the "whirlwind" as the accompaniment of a Divine revelation, see <a href="/1_kings/19-11.htm">1 Kings 19:11</a>; <a href="/job/38-1.htm">Job 38:1</a>; <a href="/acts/2-2.htm">Acts 2:2</a>.) A great cloud, etc. So far the signs of the approaching theophany were like those on Sinai (<a href="/exodus/19-16.htm">Exodus 19:16, 18</a>) and Horeb (<a href="/1_kings/19-11.htm">1 Kings 19:11</a>). With a fire infolding itself; the Revised Version margin gives flashing continually. The Authorized Version suggests the thought of a globe of fire darting its rays through the surrounding darkness. The colour of amber; literally, the eye. The Hebrew word for "amber" (chashmal) occurs only here and in ver. 27 and ch. 8:2. It is almost absolutely certain that it does not mean what we know as "amber." The LXX. and Vulgate give electrum, and this, in later Greek and Latin authors, has "amber" for one of its meanings. Primarily, however, it was used for a metallic substance of some kind, specifically for a compound four parts of gold and one of silver (Pithy, 'Hist. Nat.,' 23:4, s. 23). Some such compound is probably what we have to think of here, and so the description finds a parallel in <a href="/daniel/10-6.htm">Daniel 10:6</a>; <a href="/revelation/1-15.htm">Revelation 1:15</a>. This, in its ineffable brightness, is seen in the centre of the globe of fire. One may compare Dante's vision of the Divine glory ('Paradise,' 33:55). <a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/1-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>I looked וָאֵ֡רֶא (wā·’ê·re) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> To see and saw וְהִנֵּה֩ (wə·hin·nêh) Conjunctive waw | Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> Lo! behold! a whirlwind ר֨וּחַ (rū·aḥ) Noun - common singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7307.htm">Strong's 7307: </a> Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit coming בָּאָ֣ה (bā·’āh) Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go from מִן־ (min-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> A part of, from, out of the north, הַצָּפ֗וֹן (haṣ·ṣā·p̄ō·wn) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6828.htm">Strong's 6828: </a> Hidden, dark, the north as a, quarter a great גָּדוֹל֙ (gā·ḏō·wl) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1419.htm">Strong's 1419: </a> Great, older, insolent cloud עָנָ֤ן (‘ā·nān) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6051.htm">Strong's 6051: </a> A cloud, the nimbus, thunder-cloud with fire וְאֵ֣שׁ (wə·’êš) Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_784.htm">Strong's 784: </a> A fire flashing back and forth מִתְלַקַּ֔חַת (miṯ·laq·qa·ḥaṯ) Verb - Hitpael - Participle - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> To take and brilliant light וְנֹ֥גַֽהּ (wə·nō·ḡah) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5051.htm">Strong's 5051: </a> Brilliancy all around it. סָבִ֑יב (sā·ḇîḇ) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5439.htm">Strong's 5439: </a> A circle, neighbour, environs, around In the center וּמִ֨תּוֹכָ֔הּ (ū·mit·tō·w·ḵāh) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8432.htm">Strong's 8432: </a> A bisection, the centre of the fire הָאֵֽשׁ׃ (hā·’êš) Article | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_784.htm">Strong's 784: </a> A fire was a glow כְּעֵ֥ין (kə·‘ên) Preposition-k | Noun - common singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> An eye, a fountain like amber, הַחַשְׁמַ֖ל (ha·ḥaš·mal) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2830.htm">Strong's 2830: </a> Bronze, polished spectrum metal <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/1-4.htm">Ezekiel 1:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ezekiel/1-4.htm">Ezekiel 1:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ezekiel/1-4.htm">Ezekiel 1:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ezekiel/1-4.htm">Ezekiel 1:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ezekiel/1-4.htm">Ezekiel 1:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/1-4.htm">Ezekiel 1:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/1-4.htm">Ezekiel 1:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/1-4.htm">Ezekiel 1:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/1-4.htm">Ezekiel 1:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ezekiel/1-4.htm">Ezekiel 1:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-4.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 1:4 I looked and behold a stormy wind (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/1-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 1:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 1:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/1-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 1:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 1:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>