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cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.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/1-21.htm" title="Ezekiel 1:21">◄</a> Ezekiel 1:22 <a href="/ezekiel/1-23.htm" title="Ezekiel 1:23">►</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"><b>Verse</b><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"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ezekiel/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Spread out above the heads of the living creatures was what looked something like a vault, sparkling like crystal, and awesome.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Spread out above them was a surface like the sky, glittering like crystal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezekiel/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Over the heads of the living creatures there was the likeness of an expanse, shining like awe-inspiring crystal, spread out above their heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Spread out above the heads of the living creatures was the likeness of an awesome expanse, gleaming like crystal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature <i>was</i> as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The likeness of the firmament above the heads of the living creatures <i>was</i> like the color of an awesome crystal, stretched out over their heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now over the heads of the living beings <i>there was</i> something like an expanse, like the awesome gleam of crystal, spread out over their heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now over the heads of the living beings there was something like an expanse, like the awesome gleam of crystal, spread out over their heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now over the heads of the living beings <i>there was</i> something like an expanse, like the awesome gleam of crystal, extended over their heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezekiel/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now over the heads of the living creatures <i>there was</i> something with the likeness of an expanse, like the awesome gleam of crystal, spread out over their heads above.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezekiel/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now stretched over the heads of the living beings <i>there was</i> something like an expanse, looking like the terrible <i>and</i> awesome shimmer of icy crystal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezekiel/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Over the heads of the living creatures the likeness of an expanse was spread out. It gleamed like awe-inspiring crystal,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The shape of an expanse, with a gleam like awe-inspiring crystal, was spread out over the heads of the living creatures.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezekiel/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And over the head of the living creature there was the likeness of a firmament, like the terrible crystal to look upon, stretched forth over their heads above.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezekiel/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And over the head of the living creature there was the likeness of a firmament, like the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezekiel/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Something like a dome was spread over the heads of the living creatures. It looked like dazzling crystal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezekiel/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Above the heads of the creatures there was something that looked like a dome made of dazzling crystal. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezekiel/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />There was spread out over the heads of the living beings what looked like a canopy, in outward appearance resembling ice, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezekiel/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Spread out above the heads of the living creatures was the likeness of an awesome expanse, gleaming like crystal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezekiel/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Over the heads of the living beings was something like a platform, glittering awesomely like ice, stretched out over their heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezekiel/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And over the heads of the living creatures there was the likeness of an expanse, like glittering ice, it was awesome to look upon, stretched out over their heads above.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezekiel/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the color of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezekiel/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Over the head of the living creature there was the likeness of an expanse, like an awesome crystal to look at, stretched out over their heads above. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And over the heads of the living creatures—a likeness of an expanse, as the color of the fearful ice, stretched out over their heads from above.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezekiel/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And a likeness is over the heads of the living creatures of an expanse, as the colour of the fearful ice, stretched out over their heads from above.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezekiel/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the likeness upon the heads of the living creatures a firmament as the eye of the terrible crystal, stretched forth upon their heads from above.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezekiel/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And over the heads of the living creatures was the likeness of the firmament, as the appearance of crystal terrible to behold, and stretched out over their heads above. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And above the heads of the living creatures was the likeness of a firmament: similar to crystal, but dreadful to behold, and extending over their heads from above.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezekiel/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Above the heads of the living creatures was a likeness of the firmament; it was awesome, stretching upwards like shining crystal over their heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Over the heads of the living creatures there was something like a dome, shining like crystal, spread out above their heads.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And over the heads of the living creatures there was the likeness of a firmament, resembling pure crystal, stretched out over their heads above.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And as it were the form of the appearance of an awesome crystal extended above the heads of the beasts<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezekiel/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And over the heads of the living creatures there was the likeness of a firmament, like the colour of the terrible ice, stretched forth over their heads above.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezekiel/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the likeness over the heads of the living creatures was as a firmament, as the appearance of crystal, spread out over their wings above.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezekiel/1-22.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vET3Gmwku4s?start=201" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/1.htm">The Divine Glory</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">22</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5186.htm" title="5186: nā·ṭui (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away; used in a great variety of application.">Spread out</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">above</a> <a href="/hebrew/4605.htm" title="4605: mil·mā·‘ə·lāh (Prep-m, Prep-l:: Adv:: 3fs) -- From alah; properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: rā·šê·hem (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">the heads</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: rā·šê (N-mpc) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ha·ḥay·yāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">of the living creatures</a> <a href="/hebrew/1823.htm" title="1823: ū·ḏə·mūṯ (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- Likeness, similitude. From damah; resemblance; concretely, model, shape; adverbially, like.">was the likeness</a> <a href="/hebrew/3372.htm" title="3372: han·nō·w·rā (Art:: V-Nifal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten. A primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. To frighten.">of an awesome</a> <a href="/hebrew/7549.htm" title="7549: rā·qî·a‘ (N-ms) -- An extended surface, expanse. From raqa'; properly, an expanse, i.e. The firmament or visible arch of the sky.">expanse,</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.">gleaming</a> <a href="/hebrew/7140.htm" title="7140: haq·qe·raḥ (Art:: N-ms) -- Frost, ice. Or qorach; from qarach; ice; hence, hail; by resemblance, rock crystal.">like crystal.</a> </span><span class="reftext">23</span>And under the expanse, their wings stretched out toward one another. Each one also had two wings covering its body.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/4-6.htm">Revelation 4:6</a></span><br />And before the throne was something like a sea of glass, as clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, covered with eyes in front and back.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/15-2.htm">Revelation 15:2</a></span><br />And I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, beside which stood those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name. They were holding harps from God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/24-10.htm">Exodus 24:10</a></span><br />and they saw the God of Israel. Under His feet was a work like a pavement made of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/21-11.htm">Revelation 21:11</a></span><br />shining with the glory of God. Its radiance was like a most precious jewel, like a jasper, as clear as crystal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/21-18.htm">Revelation 21:18</a></span><br />The wall was made of jasper, and the city itself of pure gold, as pure as glass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/21-21.htm">Revelation 21:21</a></span><br />And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, with each gate consisting of a single pearl. The main street of the city was pure gold, as clear as glass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/37-18.htm">Job 37:18</a></span><br />can you, like Him, spread out the skies, as strong as a mirror of bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/6-1.htm">Isaiah 6:1</a></span><br />In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/6-4.htm">Isaiah 6:4</a></span><br />At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook, and the temple was filled with smoke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/10-6.htm">Daniel 10:6</a></span><br />His body was like beryl, his face like the brilliance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of polished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/7-23.htm">1 Kings 7:23-26</a></span><br />He also made the Sea of cast metal. It was circular in shape, measuring ten cubits from rim to rim, five cubits in height, and thirty cubits in circumference. / Below the rim, ornamental buds encircled it, ten per cubit all the way around the Sea, cast in two rows as a part of the Sea. / The Sea stood on twelve oxen, three facing north, three facing west, three facing south, and three facing east. The Sea rested on them, with all their hindquarters toward the center. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/7-29.htm">1 Kings 7:29-30</a></span><br />and on the panels between the uprights were lions, oxen, and cherubim. On the uprights was a pedestal above, and below the lions and oxen were wreaths of beveled work. / Each stand had four bronze wheels with bronze axles and a basin resting on four supports, with wreaths at each side.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/7-36.htm">1 Kings 7:36</a></span><br />He engraved cherubim, lions, and palm trees on the surfaces of the supports and panels, wherever each had space, with wreaths all around.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/7-44.htm">1 Kings 7:44</a></span><br />the Sea; the twelve oxen underneath the Sea;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/4-2.htm">2 Chronicles 4:2-6</a></span><br />He also made the Sea of cast metal. It was circular in shape, measuring ten cubits from rim to rim, five cubits in height, and thirty cubits in circumference. / Below the rim, figures of oxen encircled it, ten per cubit all the way around the Sea, cast in two rows as a part of the Sea. / The Sea stood on twelve oxen, three facing north, three facing west, three facing south, and three facing east. The Sea rested on them, with all their hindquarters toward the center. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the likeness of the firmament on the heads of the living creature was as the color of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.</p><p class="hdg">the likeness</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/1-26.htm">Ezekiel 1:26</a></b></br> And above the firmament that <i>was</i> over their heads <i>was</i> the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne <i>was</i> the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/10-1.htm">Ezekiel 10:1</a></b></br> Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/24-10.htm">Exodus 24:10</a></b></br> And they saw the God of Israel: and <i>there was</i> under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in <i>his</i> clearness.</p><p class="hdg">crystal </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/40-22.htm">Arch</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-18.htm">Awesome</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-21.htm">Beings</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-16.htm">Color</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-16.htm">Colour</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-21.htm">Creature</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-21.htm">Creatures</a> <a href="/isaiah/54-12.htm">Crystal</a> <a href="/psalms/150-1.htm">Expanse</a> <a href="/psalms/150-1.htm">Firmament</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-16.htm">Form</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-14.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-18.htm">Gleam</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-16.htm">Head</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-15.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-30.htm">Ice</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-16.htm">Likeness</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-7.htm">Shining</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-13.htm">Something</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-11.htm">Spread</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-11.htm">Stretched</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-10.htm">Terrible</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/1-23.htm">Arch</a> <a href="/daniel/2-31.htm">Awesome</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-13.htm">Beings</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-27.htm">Color</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-27.htm">Colour</a> <a href="/ezekiel/10-15.htm">Creature</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-24.htm">Creatures</a> <a href="/revelation/4-6.htm">Crystal</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-23.htm">Expanse</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-23.htm">Firmament</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-26.htm">Form</a> <a href="/ezekiel/2-9.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/ezekiel/10-9.htm">Gleam</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-25.htm">Head</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-25.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/zechariah/14-6.htm">Ice</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-26.htm">Likeness</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-27.htm">Shining</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-26.htm">Something</a> <a href="/ezekiel/2-10.htm">Spread</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-23.htm">Stretched</a> <a href="/ezekiel/28-7.htm">Terrible</a><div class="vheading2">Ezekiel 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/1-1.htm">The time of Ezekiel's prophecy at Chebar.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/1-4.htm">His vision of four cherubim;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/1-15.htm">of the four wheels;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/1-26.htm">and of the glory of God.</a></span><br></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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ezekiel/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Spread out above the heads of the living creatures</b><br>This phrase introduces the vision of a firmament or expanse above the cherubim, the living creatures described earlier in <a href="/ezekiel/1.htm">Ezekiel 1</a>. The imagery of the living creatures is reminiscent of the cherubim in the tabernacle and temple, symbolizing God's presence and holiness. The positioning "above the heads" signifies a separation between the divine and the created beings, emphasizing God's transcendence. This mirrors the separation seen in <a href="/genesis/1-6.htm">Genesis 1:6-8</a>, where God creates the firmament to divide the waters, symbolizing order and structure in creation.<p><b>was the likeness of an awesome expanse</b><br>The term "likeness" suggests a vision or representation rather than a physical reality, indicating the prophetic nature of Ezekiel's experience. The "awesome expanse" conveys a sense of majesty and awe, reflecting the glory and sovereignty of God. This expanse can be compared to the "sea of glass" in <a href="/revelation/4-6.htm">Revelation 4:6</a>, which also signifies purity and the divine presence. The use of "awesome" underscores the overwhelming and majestic nature of God's throne room, a common theme in prophetic literature.<p><b>gleaming like crystal</b><br>The description "gleaming like crystal" highlights the purity, clarity, and brilliance of the expanse, symbolizing the holiness and perfection of God. Crystal, known for its transparency and beauty, serves as a metaphor for the divine nature, which is both awe-inspiring and incomprehensible. This imagery is echoed in <a href="/revelation/21-11.htm">Revelation 21:11</a>, where the New Jerusalem is described with similar brilliance, pointing to the ultimate revelation of God's glory. The use of crystal also suggests the idea of light and illumination, themes often associated with divine revelation and truth in scripture.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/ezekiel.htm">Ezekiel</a></b><br>A prophet and priest during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is the author of the book. He receives visions from God, including the one described in this chapter.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/l/living_creatures.htm">Living Creatures</a></b><br>These are the cherubim, angelic beings that Ezekiel describes in his vision. They are associated with the presence and glory of God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/expanse.htm">Expanse</a></b><br>The "awesome expanse" is a firmament or a vast space that appears above the living creatures. It signifies the separation between the divine and the earthly realms.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/crystal.htm">Crystal</a></b><br>The expanse is described as gleaming like crystal, indicating purity, clarity, and the majestic nature of God's presence.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_exile.htm">Babylonian Exile</a></b><br>The historical context of Ezekiel's prophecies, where the Israelites were taken captive by Babylon. This period is crucial for understanding the themes of judgment and restoration in Ezekiel's messages.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_transcendence_and_immanence.htm">God's Transcendence and Immanence</a></b><br>The expanse signifies God's transcendence, yet His presence is near through the living creatures. Believers are reminded of God's majesty and His intimate involvement in creation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/purity_and_holiness.htm">Purity and Holiness</a></b><br>The crystal-like appearance of the expanse symbolizes purity. Christians are called to pursue holiness, reflecting God's purity in their lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_order_and_authority.htm">Divine Order and Authority</a></b><br>The structured vision of the expanse above the cherubim reflects God's sovereign order. Believers can trust in God's authority over the chaos of life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_exile.htm">Hope in Exile</a></b><br>Just as Ezekiel received visions of God's glory during exile, Christians can find hope and assurance of God's presence in times of personal or communal trials.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezekiel_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/main_themes_in_ezekiel.htm">What are the main themes in the Book of Ezekiel?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_real_evidence_of_fiery_glass_sea.htm">Revelation 15:2 describes a sea of glass mixed with fire—what evidence exists for such a phenomenon in reality? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'firmament'_mean_biblically.htm">What does "firmament" mean in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_ezekiel's_creatures_fit_science.htm">How can the description of living creatures with multiple faces and wheels full of eyes (Ezekiel 1:5-18) be reconciled with any known scientific or natural phenomenon?</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>(22) <span class= "bld">The likeness of the firmament.--</span>The word rendered "firmament" has undoubtedly originated, etymologically, from a verb originally signifying <span class= "ital">to beat out, </span>as in the case of metals; but the derivative word, in its use in connection with the heavens, had wholly lost this reference, and had come to mean simply an <span class= "ital">expanse. </span>The Hebrews do not appear to have ever entertained the classical idea of the sky as a metallic vault, the only passage seeming to indicate such a notion (<a href="/job/37-18.htm" title="Have you with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?">Job 37:18</a>) being capable of quite a different explanation. We are here to conceive, therefore, of that which was "stretched forth over their heads above" as a simple expanse, like the sky, as if he had said, "And above their heads was stretched forth the sky." This expanse is not represented as supported by the cherubim, or resting upon them, and it remained undisturbed when they let down their wings (<a href="/ezekiel/1-25.htm" title="And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings.">Ezekiel 1:25</a>). It was simply "stretched forth over their heads," at once separating them from, and yet uniting them with, the throne above. It fulfils, therefore, the complementary part to the wheels. They connected the vision with the earth; this connects it with God.<p><span class= "bld">The colour of the terrible crystal</span>--The expression "crystal" is doubtless derived from <a href="/exodus/24-10.htm" title="And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.">Exodus 24:10</a>, as in turn it became the foundation for <a href="/revelation/4-6.htm" title="And before the throne there was a sea of glass like to crystal: and in the middle of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.">Revelation 4:6</a>. Yet it is not here any particular crystal; the word is Merely used to convey some idea of the appearance of the expanse beneath the throne, clear as crystal, terrible in its dazzling brightness.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezekiel/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 22.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And</span> <span class="cmt_word">the likeness of the</span> <span class="cmt_word">firmament</span>, etc. The word is the same as that in <a href="/genesis/1.htm">Genesis 1</a>, <span class="accented">passim</span>; <a href="/psalms/19-1.htm">Psalm 19:1</a>; cf. 1; <a href="/daniel/12-3.htm">Daniel 12:3</a>. It meets us again in vers. 23, 25, 26, and in 10:1, but does not occur elsewhere in the Old Testament. What met the prophet's eye was the expanse, the "body of heaven in its clearness" (<a href="/exodus/24-10.htm">Exodus 24:10</a>), the deep intense blue of an Eastern sky. <span class="cmt_word">Like the colour of the terrible crystal,</span> etc. The Hebrew noun is not found elsewhere. Its primary meaning, like that of the Greek <span class="greek">κρύσταλλος</span>, is that of "cold," and I incline therefore to the margin of the Revised Version, "ice." Rock crystal, seen, as it is, in small masses, and in its pure colourless transparency, hardly suggests the idea of terror; but the intense brightness of masses of ice, as shining in the morning sun, might well make that impression. Had Ezekiel seen the glories of a mountain throne of ice as he looked up, on his nay from Palestine to Chaldea, at the heights of Lebanon, or Hermon, and thought of them as the fitting symbol of the throne of God? We note, in this connection, the use of "terrible" in <a href="/job/37-22.htm">Job 37:22</a> (see note on ver. 4). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/1-22.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Spread out</span><br /><span class="heb">נָט֥וּי</span> <span class="translit">(nā·ṭui)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5186.htm">Strong's 5186: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">above</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the heads</span><br /><span class="heb">רָאשֵׁ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(rā·šê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> </span><span class="str2">The head</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the living creatures</span><br /><span class="heb">הַחַיָּה֙</span> <span class="translit">(ha·ḥay·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> </span><span class="str2">Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[was] the shape</span><br /><span class="heb">וּדְמ֞וּת</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḏə·mūṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1823.htm">Strong's 1823: </a> </span><span class="str2">Resemblance, model, shape, like</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on an awesome</span><br /><span class="heb">הַנּוֹרָ֑א</span> <span class="translit">(han·nō·w·rā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3372.htm">Strong's 3372: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten</span><br /><br /><span class="word">expanse,</span><br /><span class="heb">רָקִ֔יעַ</span> <span class="translit">(rā·qî·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7549.htm">Strong's 7549: </a> </span><span class="str2">An expanse, the firmament, visible arch of the sky</span><br /><br /><span class="word">gleaming</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּעֵ֖ין</span> <span class="translit">(kə·‘ên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like crystal.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַקֶּ֣רַח</span> <span class="translit">(haq·qe·raḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7140.htm">Strong's 7140: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ice, hail, rock crystal</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/1-22.htm">Ezekiel 1:22 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/1-22.htm">Ezekiel 1:22 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezekiel/1-22.htm">Ezekiel 1:22 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/1-22.htm">Ezekiel 1:22 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/1-22.htm">Ezekiel 1:22 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/1-22.htm">Ezekiel 1:22 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/1-22.htm">Ezekiel 1:22 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/1-22.htm">Ezekiel 1:22 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/1-22.htm">Ezekiel 1:22 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezekiel/1-22.htm">Ezekiel 1:22 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezekiel/1-22.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 1:22 Over the head of the living creature (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/1-21.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 1:21"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 1:21" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/1-23.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 1:23"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 1:23" /></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>