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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 1:13 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezekiel/1-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/26_Ezk_01_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezekiel 1:13 - The Four Living Creatures" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><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/1-13.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/1-13.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 13</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="/ad13.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/1-12.htm" title="Ezekiel 1:12">◄</a> Ezekiel 1:13 <a href="/ezekiel/1-14.htm" title="Ezekiel 1:14">►</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> The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals of fire or like torches. Fire moved back and forth among the creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it. <a href="/nlt/ezekiel/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> The living beings looked like bright coals of fire or brilliant torches, and lightning seemed to flash back and forth among them. <a href="/esv/ezekiel/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches moving to and fro among the living creatures. And the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. <a href="/bsb/ezekiel/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/kjv/ezekiel/1.htm">King James Bible</a> As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. <a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/1.htm">New King James Version</a> As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches going back and forth among the living creatures. The fire was bright, and out of the fire went lightning. <a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> In the midst of the living beings there was something that looked like burning coals of fire, like torches moving among the living beings. The fire was bright, and lightning was flashing from the fire. <a href="/nasb/ezekiel/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> In the midst of the living beings there was something that looked like burning coals of fire, like torches darting back and forth among the living beings. The fire was bright, and lightning was flashing from the fire. <a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> In the midst of the living beings there was something that looked like burning coals of fire, like torches darting back and forth among the living beings. The fire was bright, and lightning was flashing from the fire. <a href="/lsb/ezekiel/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches going back and forth among the living creatures. The fire was bright, and lightning was flashing from the fire. <a href="/amp/ezekiel/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Among the living beings there was something that looked like burning coals of fire, like torches moving back and forth among the living beings. The fire was bright, and lightning was flashing from the fire. <a href="/csb/ezekiel/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> The likeness of the living creatures was like the appearance of blazing coals of fire or like torches. Fire was moving back and forth between the living creatures; it was bright, with lightning coming out of it. <a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> The form of the living creatures was like the appearance of burning coals of fire and torches. Fire was moving back and forth between the living creatures; it was bright, with lightning coming out of it. <a href="/asv/ezekiel/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches: the fire went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. <a href="/cev/ezekiel/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The creatures were glowing like hot coals, and I saw something like a flaming torch moving back and forth among them. Lightning flashed from the torch every time its flame blazed up. <a href="/erv/ezekiel/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches; it went up and down among the living creatures: and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. <a href="/gwt/ezekiel/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The living creatures looked like burning coals and torches. Fire moved back and forth between the living creatures. The fire was bright, and lightning came out of the fire. <a href="/gnt/ezekiel/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> Among the creatures there was something that looked like a blazing torch, constantly moving. The fire would blaze up and shoot out flashes of lightning. <a href="/isv/ezekiel/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> Now, in the midst of the living beings there was something that appeared to glow like coals kindled by a fire, like torches that moved back and forth between the living beings. The fire was dazzling, and lightning flashed from the fire. <a href="/msb/ezekiel/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/ezekiel/1.htm">NET Bible</a> In the middle of the living beings was something like burning coals of fire or like torches. It moved back and forth among the living beings. It was bright, and lightning was flashing out of the fire. <a href="/nheb/ezekiel/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And in the midst of the living creatures was an appearance of burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches. The fire went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. <a href="/wbt/ezekiel/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. <a href="/web/ezekiel/1.htm">World English Bible</a> As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches. The fire went up and down among the living creatures. The fire was bright, and lightning went out of the fire. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearances [are] as coals of fire—burning as the appearance of lamps; it is going up and down between the living creatures, and brightness [is] to the fire, and lightning is going forth out of the fire. <a href="/ylt/ezekiel/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> As to the likeness of the living creatures, their appearances are as coals of fire -- burning as the appearance of lamps; it is going up and down between the living creatures, and brightness is to the fire, and out of the fire is going forth lightning. <a href="/slt/ezekiel/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance as burning coals of fire, as the appearance of flames going about between the living creatures; and a shining to the fire, and from the fire will go forth lightning.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ezekiel/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And as for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like that of burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps. This was the vision running to and fro in the midst of the living creatures, a bright fire, and lightning going forth from the fire. <a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And as for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like that of burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps. This was the vision dashing in the midst of the living creatures, a bright fire, with lightning going forth from the fire. <a href="/nabre/ezekiel/1.htm">New American Bible</a> And the appearance of the living creatures seemed like burning coals of fire. Something indeed like torches moved back and forth among the living creatures. The fire gleamed intensely, and from it lightning flashed. <a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> In the middle of the living creatures there was something that looked like burning coals of fire, like torches moving to and fro among the living creatures; the fire was bright, and lightning issued from the fire.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of a lamp going to and fro among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. <a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And the appearance of the beasts was as the appearance of burning fiery coals of fire, and like the appearance of a lamp walking among the beasts, and the fire was shining brightly and lightning was going out from it<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/ezekiel/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like coals of fire, burning like the appearance of torches; it flashed up and down among the living creatures; and there was brightness to the fire, and out of the fire went forth lightning.And in the midst of the living creatures there was an appearance as of burning coals of fire, as an appearance of lamps turning among the living creatures; and the brightness of fire, and out of the fire came forth lightning. <a href="/parallel/ezekiel/1-13.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=113" 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> …12Each creature went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they moved. 13<a href="/hebrew/1823.htm" title="1823: ū·ḏə·mūṯ (Conj-w:: N-fsc) -- Likeness, similitude. From damah; resemblance; concretely, model, shape; adverbially, like.">In the midst</a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ha·ḥay·yō·wṯ (Art:: N-fp) -- 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/4758.htm" title="4758: mar·’ê·hem (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Sight, appearance, vision. From ra'ah; a view; also an appearance, whether a shape, or a vision.">was the appearance</a> <a href="/hebrew/784.htm" title="784: ’êš (N-cs) -- A fire. A primitive word; fire.">of glowing</a> <a href="/hebrew/1513.htm" title="1513: kə·ḡa·ḥă·lê- (Prep-k:: N-mpc) -- Coal. Or gacheleth; from an unused root meaning to glow or kindle; an ember.">coals</a> <a href="/hebrew/1197.htm" title="1197: bō·‘ă·rō·wṯ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-fp) -- To kindle, consume, to be, brutish. A primitive root; to kindle, i.e. Consume; also to be(-come) brutish.">of fire,</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.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/3940.htm" title="3940: hal·lap·pi·ḏîm (Art:: N-mp) -- A torch. Or lappid; from an unused root probably meaning to shine; a flambeau, lamp or flame.">of torches.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hî (Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/784.htm" title="784: lā·’êš (Prep-l, Art:: N-cs) -- A fire. A primitive word; fire.">Fire</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: miṯ·hal·le·ḵeṯ (V-Hitpael-Prtcpl-fs) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">moved back and forth</a> <a href="/hebrew/996.htm" title="996: bên (Prep) -- An interval, space between. ">between</a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ha·ḥay·yō·wṯ (Art:: N-fp) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">the living creatures;</a> <a href="/hebrew/5051.htm" title="5051: wə·nō·ḡah (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- Brightness. From nagahh; brilliancy.">it was bright,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1300.htm" title="1300: ḇā·rāq (N-ms) -- Lightning. From baraq; lightning; by analogy, a gleam; concretely, a flashing sword.">and lightning</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: yō·w·ṣê (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">flashed</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: ū·min- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">out of</a> <a href="/hebrew/784.htm" title="784: hā·’êš (Art:: N-cs) -- A fire. A primitive word; fire.">it.</a> 14The creatures were darting back and forth as quickly as flashes of lightning.…<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/10-6.htm">Daniel 10:6</a> 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. <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="/exodus/3-2.htm">Exodus 3:2</a> There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from within a bush. Moses saw the bush ablaze with fire, but it was not consumed. <a href="/revelation/19-12.htm">Revelation 19:12</a> 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. <a href="/isaiah/6-6.htm">Isaiah 6:6</a> Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. <a href="/matthew/17-2.htm">Matthew 17:2</a> There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. <a href="/acts/2-3.htm">Acts 2:3</a> They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. <a href="/revelation/8-5.htm">Revelation 8:5</a> Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it to the earth; and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake. <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="/revelation/11-19.htm">Revelation 11:19</a> 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. <a href="/psalms/104-4.htm">Psalm 104:4</a> He makes the winds His messengers, flames of fire His servants. <a href="/revelation/15-8.htm">Revelation 15:8</a> And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power; and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed. <a href="/hebrews/1-7.htm">Hebrews 1:7</a> Now about the angels He says: “He makes His angels winds, His servants flames of fire.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.<a href="/ezekiel/1-7.htm">Ezekiel 1:7</a> And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass.<a href="/genesis/15-17.htm">Genesis 15:17</a> And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.<a href="/psalms/104-4.htm">Psalm 104:4</a> Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/1-5.htm">Appearance</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-5.htm">Beings</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-7.htm">Bright</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-4.htm">Brightness</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-10.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/isaiah/54-16.htm">Coals</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-5.htm">Creatures</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-29.htm">Darting</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-5.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-4.htm">Flashing</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-4.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-10.htm">Likeness</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-5.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-9.htm">Moved</a> <a href="/jeremiah/44-3.htm">Moving</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-4.htm">Something</a> <a href="/isaiah/50-11.htm">Torches</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/1-14.htm">Appearance</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-14.htm">Beings</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-27.htm">Bright</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-27.htm">Brightness</a> <a href="/ezekiel/5-4.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/ezekiel/10-2.htm">Coals</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-14.htm">Creatures</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-23.htm">Darting</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-27.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/nahum/2-3.htm">Flashing</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-14.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-16.htm">Likeness</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-16.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-17.htm">Moved</a> <a href="/ezekiel/10-11.htm">Moving</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-22.htm">Something</a> <a href="/daniel/10-6.htm">Torches</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'; </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>In the midst of the living creatures was the appearance of glowing coals of fire, or of torches. The imagery of glowing coals of fire or torches in the midst of the living creatures suggests the presence of divine energy and holiness. Fire in the Bible often symbolizes God's presence, as seen in the burning bush (<a href="/exodus/3-2.htm">Exodus 3:2</a>) and the pillar of fire that guided the Israelites (<a href="/exodus/13-21.htm">Exodus 13:21</a>). The living creatures, identified as cherubim in <a href="/ezekiel/10.htm">Ezekiel 10</a>, are associated with God's throne and His glory. The fire signifies purification and judgment, reflecting God's holiness and the consuming nature of His presence (<a href="/hebrews/12-29.htm">Hebrews 12:29</a>).Fire moved back and forth between the living creatures; The movement of fire between the living creatures indicates dynamic activity and the constant presence of God's power. This movement can be seen as a representation of God's omnipresence and His active involvement in the world. The back-and-forth motion suggests a continuous and unending energy, similar to the perpetual worship and service of the heavenly beings described in <a href="/revelation/4-8.htm">Revelation 4:8</a>. It also emphasizes the unity and harmony among the creatures, as they are part of a divine order.it was bright, The brightness of the fire highlights the glory and majesty of God. Light is often associated with God's revelation and truth (<a href="/john/1-4.htm">John 1:4-5</a>). The brightness signifies the clarity and purity of God's presence, which illuminates and exposes all things. This brightness is a reflection of God's unapproachable light (<a href="/1_timothy/6-16.htm">1 Timothy 6:16</a>) and serves as a reminder of His transcendence and the awe-inspiring nature of His glory.and lightning flashed out of it. The flashing lightning represents the power and might of God. Lightning is frequently used in Scripture to depict God's voice and His actions (<a href="/exodus/19-16.htm">Exodus 19:16</a>, <a href="/psalms/29-7.htm">Psalm 29:7</a>). It conveys the idea of suddenness and the overwhelming force of God's intervention in human affairs. The lightning also serves as a warning of impending judgment, as seen in the prophetic visions of Revelation (<a href="/revelation/8-5.htm">Revelation 8:5</a>). This imagery underscores the fearsome and awe-inspiring aspects of God's presence, reminding believers of His sovereignty and authority over creation.<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 receives visions from God, including the vision of the living creatures. 2. <a href="/topical/l/living_creatures.htm">Living Creatures</a> These are angelic beings, often identified as cherubim, that appear in Ezekiel's vision, symbolizing God's presence and power. 3. <a href="/topical/f/fire_and_lightning.htm">Fire and Lightning</a> Elements in the vision that represent God's holiness, purity, and the dynamic nature of His presence.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_holiness_and_purity.htm">God's Holiness and Purity</a> The fire among the living creatures symbolizes God's holiness. Just as fire purifies, God's presence purifies and refines us. <a href="/topical/t/the_dynamic_nature_of_god's_presence.htm">The Dynamic Nature of God's Presence</a> The movement of fire and lightning illustrates that God's presence is active and powerful. We should be open to the dynamic work of God in our lives. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_angelic_beings.htm">The Role of Angelic Beings</a> The living creatures serve as a reminder of the spiritual realm and the role of angels in God's divine plan. We should be aware of the spiritual realities that surround us. <a href="/topical/g/god's_majesty_and_sovereignty.htm">God's Majesty and Sovereignty</a> The vision underscores God's majesty and sovereignty over all creation. We are called to worship and revere Him with awe and respect. <a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_fire_in_scripture.htm">Symbolism of Fire in Scripture</a> Fire is a recurring symbol of God's presence, judgment, and purification throughout the Bible. Understanding this helps us grasp the depth of God's character and His work in the world.<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/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> <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/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 href="/q/how_does_rev_10_1's_angel_compare_to_others.htm">How does the portrayal of an angel descending from heaven with a rainbow (Revelation 10:1) align with other biblical visions that depict heavenly beings differently?</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>(13) Like the appearance of lamps.--The word "and" before this phrase is not in the original, and should be omitted. The words are merely a further explanation. The cherubim were like burning coals of fire, like torches or lightnings. The word "lamps" does not refer to the material, but to the light, and whether in the Hebrew or in its Greek equivalent, is translated by torches (<a href="/nahum/2-4.htm" title="The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall jostle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightning.">Nahum 2:4</a>; <a href="/john/18-3.htm" title="Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, comes thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.">John 18:3</a>),firebrands (<a href="/judges/15-4.htm" title="And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the middle between two tails.">Judges 15:4</a>), or lightnings (<a href="/exodus/20-18.htm" title="And all the people saw the thunder, and the lightning, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.">Exodus 20:18</a>). Ezekiel could find no single word to express his meaning, and has therefore given two, that between them the idea of the fiery brilliancy may be better conveyed.It went up and down.--" It" refers to the fire. This indescribable fiery appearance went up and down among the living creatures, "bright" in itself, and throwing out coruscations of "lightning."<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezekiel/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 13. - Like burning coals of fire, etc. It may not be amiss to note the fact that the phrase throughout the Bible denotes incandescent wood. The nearest approach to its use by Ezekiel is in <a href="/2_samuel/22-9.htm">2 Samuel 22:9, 13</a>. For "lamps," read, with the Revised Version, "torches." Here the vision of Ezekiel, in which the living creatures were thus incandescent, bathed, as it were, in the fire that played around them, yet not consumed, followed in the path of previous symbols - of the burning bush (<a href="/exodus/3-2.htm">Exodus 3:2</a>), of the pillar of fire by night (<a href="/exodus/13-22.htm">Exodus 13:22</a>), of the fire on Sinai (<a href="/exodus/19-18.htm">Exodus 19:18</a>), of the "fire of the Lord" (<a href="/numbers/11-1.htm">Numbers 11:1-3</a>), and the "fire of God" (<a href="/2_kings/1-12.htm">2 Kings 1:12</a>). Speaking generally, "fire," as distinct from "light," seems to be the symbol of the power of God as manifested against evil. "Our God is a consuming Fire" (<a href="/deuteronomy/4-24.htm">Deuteronomy 4:24</a>; <a href="/hebrews/12-29.htm">Hebrews 12:29</a>). The red light of fire has in it an element of terror which is absent from the stainless white of the eternal glory, or from the sapphire of the visible firmament. Lightning (comp. <a href="/exodus/19-16.htm">Exodus 19:16</a>; <a href="/exodus/20-18.htm">Exodus 20:18</a>; <a href="/daniel/10-6.htm">Daniel 10:6</a>; <a href="/revelation/4-5.htm">Revelation 4:5</a>; <a href="/revelation/8-5.htm">Revelation 8:5</a>; <a href="/revelation/11-19.htm">Revelation 11:19</a>; <a href="/revelation/16-18.htm">Revelation 16:18</a>). <a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/1-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>In the midst וּדְמ֨וּת (ū·ḏə·mūṯ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1823.htm">Strong's 1823: </a> Resemblance, model, shape, like of the living creatures הַחַיּ֜וֹת (ha·ḥay·yō·wṯ) Article | Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life was the appearance מַרְאֵיהֶ֣ם (mar·’ê·hem) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4758.htm">Strong's 4758: </a> Sight, appearance, vision of glowing אֵ֗שׁ (’êš) Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_784.htm">Strong's 784: </a> A fire coals כְּגַחֲלֵי־ (kə·ḡa·ḥă·lê-) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1513.htm">Strong's 1513: </a> An ember of fire, בֹּֽעֲרוֹת֙ (bō·‘ă·rō·wṯ) Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1197.htm">Strong's 1197: </a> To kindle, consume, to be, brutish [or] כְּמַרְאֵ֣ה (kə·mar·’êh) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4758.htm">Strong's 4758: </a> Sight, appearance, vision of torches. הַלַּפִּדִ֔ים (hal·lap·pi·ḏîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3940.htm">Strong's 3940: </a> A flambeau, lamp, flame Fire לָאֵ֔שׁ (lā·’êš) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_784.htm">Strong's 784: </a> A fire moved back and forth מִתְהַלֶּ֖כֶת (miṯ·hal·le·ḵeṯ) Verb - Hitpael - Participle - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk between בֵּ֣ין (bên) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_996.htm">Strong's 996: </a> An interval, space between the living creatures; הַחַיּ֑וֹת (ha·ḥay·yō·wṯ) Article | Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life it was bright, וְנֹ֣גַהּ (wə·nō·ḡah) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5051.htm">Strong's 5051: </a> Brilliancy and lightning בָרָֽק׃ (ḇā·rāq) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1300.htm">Strong's 1300: </a> Lightning, a gleam, a flashing sword flashed יוֹצֵ֥א (yō·w·ṣê) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> To go, bring, out, direct and proxim out of וּמִן־ (ū·min-) Conjunctive waw | Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> A part of, from, out of it. הָאֵ֖שׁ (hā·’êš) Article | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_784.htm">Strong's 784: </a> A fire <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/1-13.htm">Ezekiel 1:13 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ezekiel/1-13.htm">Ezekiel 1:13 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ezekiel/1-13.htm">Ezekiel 1:13 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ezekiel/1-13.htm">Ezekiel 1:13 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ezekiel/1-13.htm">Ezekiel 1:13 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/1-13.htm">Ezekiel 1:13 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/1-13.htm">Ezekiel 1:13 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/1-13.htm">Ezekiel 1:13 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/1-13.htm">Ezekiel 1:13 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ezekiel/1-13.htm">Ezekiel 1:13 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-13.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 1:13 As for the likeness of the living (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/1-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 1:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 1:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/1-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 1:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 1:14" /></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>