CINXE.COM

<!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 1:14 The creatures were darting back and forth as quickly as flashes of lightning.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezekiel/1-14.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/26_Ezk_01_14.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezekiel 1:14 - The Four Living Creatures" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The creatures were darting back and forth as quickly as flashes of lightning." /><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/1-14.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/1-14.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 14</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="/ad14.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/1-13.htm" title="Ezekiel 1:13">◄</a> Ezekiel 1:14 <a href="/ezekiel/1-15.htm" title="Ezekiel 1:15">►</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 />The creatures sped back and forth like flashes of lightning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />And the living beings darted to and fro like flashes of lightning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezekiel/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And the living creatures darted to and fro, like the appearance of a flash of lightning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The creatures were darting back and forth as quickly as flashes of lightning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And the living creatures ran back and forth, in appearance like a flash of lightning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And the living beings ran back and forth like bolts of lightning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And the living beings ran to and fro like bolts of lightning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the living beings ran to and fro like bolts of lightning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezekiel/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And the living creatures ran to and fro with the appearance of lightning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezekiel/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And the living beings moved rapidly back and forth like flashes of lightning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezekiel/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The creatures were darting back and forth like flashes of lightning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The creatures were darting back and forth like flashes of lightning. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezekiel/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezekiel/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The creatures themselves moved as quickly as sparks jumping from a fire. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezekiel/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezekiel/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The living creatures ran back and forth like lightning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezekiel/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The creatures themselves darted back and forth with the speed of lightning. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezekiel/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The living beings moved around, in appearance resembling lightning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezekiel/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The creatures were darting back and forth as quickly as flashes of lightning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezekiel/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The living beings moved backward and forward as quickly as flashes of lightning. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezekiel/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The living creatures darted back and forth, like the appearance of a flash of lightning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezekiel/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezekiel/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the living creatures are running, and turning back, as the appearance of the flash.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezekiel/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the living creatures are running, and turning back, as the appearance of the flash.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezekiel/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the living creatures ran and turned back as the appearance of lightning.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezekiel/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the living creatures ran and returned like flashes of lightning. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the living creatures went and returned like flashes of lightning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezekiel/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The creatures darting back and forth flashed like lightning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The living creatures darted to and fro, like a flash of lightning.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the living creatures ran, but returned not, and their appearance was like a flash of lightning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the living creatures were running and were not turning, like the appearance of a comet<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezekiel/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezekiel/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezekiel/1-14.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=127" 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 Four Living Creatures</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">13</span>In the midst of the living creatures was the appearance of glowing coals of fire, or of torches. Fire moved back and forth between the living creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it. <span class="reftext">14</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: wə·ha·ḥay·yō·wṯ (Conj-w, Art:: N-fp) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">The creatures</a> <a href="/hebrew/7519.htm" title="7519: rā·ṣō·w (V-Qal-InfAbs) -- To run. A primitive root; to run; also to delight in.">were darting back and forth</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: wā·šō·wḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-InfAbs) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4758.htm" title="4758: kə·mar·’êh (Prep-k:: N-msc) -- Sight, appearance, vision. From ra'ah; a view; also an appearance, whether a shape, or a vision.">as quickly as</a> <a href="/hebrew/965.htm" title="965: hab·bā·zāq (Art:: N-ms) -- A lightning flash. From an unused root meaning to lighten; a flash of lightning.">flashes of lightning.</a> </span><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 4:6-8</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. / The first living creature was like a lion, the second like a calf, the third had a face like a man, and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. / And each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around and within. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/7-9.htm">Daniel 7:9-10</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/1-14.htm">Revelation 1:14-16</a></span><br />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. / He held in His right hand seven stars, and a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/4-10.htm">Zechariah 4:10</a></span><br />For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven eyes of the LORD, which scan the whole earth, will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/19-12.htm">Revelation 19:12</a></span><br />He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/6-2.htm">Isaiah 6:2-3</a></span><br />Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. / And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-27.htm">Matthew 24:27</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/10-1.htm">Revelation 10:1</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/2-11.htm">2 Kings 2:11</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/8-13.htm">Revelation 8:13</a></span><br />And as I observed, I heard an eagle flying overhead, calling in a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the remaining three angels!”<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="/matthew/28-3.htm">Matthew 28:3</a></span><br />His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/2-2.htm">Acts 2:2-3</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/11-19.htm">Revelation 11:19</a></span><br />Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/4-16.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:16-17</a></span><br />For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. / After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/147-15.htm">Psalm 147:15</a></b></br> He sendeth forth his commandment <i>upon</i> earth: his word runneth very swiftly.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/9-21.htm">Daniel 9:21</a></b></br> Yea, whiles I <i>was</i> speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/zechariah/2-3.htm">Zechariah 2:3,4</a></b></br> And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him, … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/1-13.htm">Appearance</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-13.htm">Beings</a> <a href="/psalms/78-48.htm">Bolts</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-13.htm">Creatures</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-10.htm">Flash</a> <a href="/songs/8-6.htm">Flashes</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-13.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/49-3.htm">Fro</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-4.htm">Lightning</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-16.htm">Quickly</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-21.htm">Ran</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-48.htm">Running</a> <a href="/psalms/18-10.htm">Sped</a> <a href="/job/37-11.htm">Thunder-Flame</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-12.htm">Turning</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/1-16.htm">Appearance</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-15.htm">Beings</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-5.htm">Bolts</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-15.htm">Creatures</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-10.htm">Flash</a> <a href="/amos/5-9.htm">Flashes</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-22.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-21.htm">Fro</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-10.htm">Lightning</a> <a href="/ezekiel/30-9.htm">Quickly</a> <a href="/ezekiel/31-4.htm">Ran</a> <a href="/ezekiel/24-16.htm">Running</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-11.htm">Sped</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-10.htm">Thunder-Flame</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-17.htm">Turning</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>The creatures were darting back and forth</b><br>This phrase describes the movement of the living creatures, often identified as cherubim, which are associated with the presence and glory of God. Their rapid movement signifies their readiness and obedience to God's commands. In biblical context, cherubim are often depicted as guardians of sacred spaces, such as the Garden of Eden (<a href="/genesis/3-24.htm">Genesis 3:24</a>) and the Ark of the Covenant (<a href="/exodus/25-18.htm">Exodus 25:18-22</a>). Their dynamic motion may symbolize the active and living nature of God's presence and His omnipresence, as they move swiftly to fulfill His will.<p><b>as quickly as flashes of lightning.</b><br>The comparison to lightning emphasizes the speed and power of the creatures' movements. Lightning is often used in Scripture to depict divine power and majesty (<a href="/psalms/18-14.htm">Psalm 18:14</a>, <a href="/matthew/24-27.htm">Matthew 24:27</a>). This imagery conveys the awe-inspiring and overwhelming nature of God's glory, which Ezekiel is witnessing. The use of lightning also connects to other prophetic visions, such as those in Daniel and Revelation, where divine beings and events are described with similar imagery, highlighting the consistency of God's revelation throughout the Bible.<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/t/the_living_creatures.htm">The Living Creatures</a></b><br>These are the cherubim, angelic beings that serve as attendants to God’s throne. They are described in Ezekiel's vision as having a unique and awe-inspiring appearance.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_vision_by_the_kebar_river.htm">The Vision by the Kebar River</a></b><br>Ezekiel receives this vision while in exile by the Kebar River in Babylon. It is a significant moment where God reveals His glory and presence to Ezekiel.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/f/flashes_of_lightning.htm">Flashes of Lightning</a></b><br>This imagery is used to describe the speed and brilliance of the living creatures' movements, emphasizing their divine nature and the power of God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_exile.htm">Babylonian Exile</a></b><br>The historical context of Ezekiel's prophecy, where the Israelites are in captivity, and God communicates His messages through Ezekiel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_majesty.htm">God's Sovereignty and Majesty</a></b><br>The vision of the living creatures and their movements reflects the majesty and sovereignty of God. It reminds us that God is in control, even in times of exile and hardship.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_speed_and_power_of_god's_will.htm">The Speed and Power of God's Will</a></b><br>The creatures' rapid movements symbolize the swift execution of God's will. We can trust that God's plans are carried out with precision and power.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_presence_of_god_in_exile.htm">The Presence of God in Exile</a></b><br>Despite being in Babylon, Ezekiel's vision shows that God's presence is not confined to a location. God is with His people, even in difficult circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_angels.htm">The Role of Angels</a></b><br>The cherubim serve as a reminder of the spiritual realm and the role of angels as God's messengers and servants. They are part of God's divine order and plan.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/awe_and_reverence_for_god.htm">Awe and Reverence for God</a></b><br>The vision encourages us to approach God with awe and reverence, recognizing His holiness and the mystery of His divine nature.<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/is_ezekiel_1_about_ufos,_not_divine.htm">Could the bizarre imagery in Ezekiel 1 reflect extraterrestrial encounters or UFO sightings rather than divine revelation?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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><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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_4_creatures_in_revelation.htm">What are the four living creatures in Revelation?</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>(14) <span class= "bld">A flash of lightning.</span>--Not only was the appearance of the cherubim thus glittering, but also their speed as they "ran and returned" was that of the lightning.<p>The vision up to this point, so far as we may venture to interpret its object, seems designed to show forth the power and activity, the irresistible energy of the agencies employed for the fulfilment of the Divine purposes, and at the same time their perfectly harmonious action, controlled by one supreme will. We now enter upon a fresh phase of the vision, in which the same things are represented still further by an additional and peculiar symbolism.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezekiel/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 14.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Ran and returned.</span> Compare the "to and fro" of <a href="/zechariah/4-10.htm">Zechariah 4:10</a>. The comparison implies at once suddenness (as in <a href="/matthew/24-27.htm">Matthew 24:27</a>) and overwhelming brightness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/1-14.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">The creatures</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַחַיּ֖וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ha·ḥay·yō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine plural<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">were darting back and forth</span><br /><span class="heb">רָצ֣וֹא</span> <span class="translit">(rā·ṣō·w)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7519.htm">Strong's 7519: </a> </span><span class="str2">To run, to delight in</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as quickly as</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּמַרְאֵ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(kə·mar·’êh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4758.htm">Strong's 4758: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sight, appearance, vision</span><br /><br /><span class="word">flashes of lightning.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַבָּזָֽק׃</span> <span class="translit">(hab·bā·zāq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_965.htm">Strong's 965: </a> </span><span class="str2">A flash of lightning</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/1-14.htm">Ezekiel 1:14 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/1-14.htm">Ezekiel 1:14 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezekiel/1-14.htm">Ezekiel 1:14 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/1-14.htm">Ezekiel 1:14 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/1-14.htm">Ezekiel 1:14 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/1-14.htm">Ezekiel 1:14 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/1-14.htm">Ezekiel 1:14 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/1-14.htm">Ezekiel 1:14 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/1-14.htm">Ezekiel 1:14 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezekiel/1-14.htm">Ezekiel 1:14 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezekiel/1-14.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 1:14 The living creatures ran and returned as (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/1-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 1:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 1:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/1-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 1:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 1:15" /></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>