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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 1:6 but each had four faces and four wings.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezekiel/1-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/26_Ezk_01_06.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezekiel 1:6 - The Four Living Creatures" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="but each had four faces and four wings." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script 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src="/bmc/ezekiel/1-6.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 6</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="/ad6.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/1-5.htm" title="Ezekiel 1:5">◄</a> Ezekiel 1:6 <a href="/ezekiel/1-7.htm" title="Ezekiel 1:7">►</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 />but each of them had four faces and four wings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />except that each had four faces and four wings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezekiel/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />but each had four faces, and each of them had four wings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />but each had four faces and four wings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Each one had four faces, and each one had four wings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Each of them had four faces and four wings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Each of them had four faces and four wings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Each of them had four faces and four wings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezekiel/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And each of them had four faces and four wings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezekiel/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Each one had four faces and four wings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezekiel/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />but each of them had four faces and four wings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />but each of them had four faces and four wings. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezekiel/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and every one had four faces, and every one of them had four wings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezekiel/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />except that each one had four faces and four wings. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezekiel/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And every one had four faces, and every one of them had four wings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezekiel/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />but each of them had four faces and four wings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezekiel/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />but each of them had four faces and four wings. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezekiel/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />except that they each had four faces, four pairs of wings,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezekiel/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />but each had four faces and four wings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezekiel/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />but each had four faces and four wings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezekiel/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And each one had four faces, and each one of them had four wings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezekiel/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezekiel/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Everyone had four faces, and each one of them had four wings. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and each had four faces and each of them had four wings,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezekiel/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and four faces are to each, and four wings are to each of them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezekiel/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And four faces to one, and four wings to one, to them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezekiel/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Every one had four faces, and every one four wings. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Each one had four faces, and each one had four wings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezekiel/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They were in human form, but each had four faces and four wings,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Each had four faces, and each of them had four wings.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And each had four faces and four wings<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezekiel/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And every one had four faces, and every one of them had four wings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezekiel/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And each one <i>had</i> four faces, and each one <i>had</i> four wings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezekiel/1-6.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=52" 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">5</span>and within it was the form of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: They had a human form, <span class="reftext">6</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: lə·’e·ḥāṯ (Prep-l:: Number-fs) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">but each</a> <a href="/hebrew/702.htm" title="702: wə·’ar·bā·‘āh (Conj-w:: Number-ms) -- Four. Masculine oarbaah; from raba'; four.">had four</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: p̄ā·nîm (N-mp) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">faces</a> <a href="/hebrew/702.htm" title="702: wə·’ar·ba‘ (Conj-w:: Number-fs) -- Four. Masculine oarbaah; from raba'; four.">and four</a> <a href="/hebrew/3671.htm" title="3671: kə·nā·p̄a·yim (N-fd) -- Wing, extremity. From kanaph; an edge or extremity; specifically a wing, a flap, a quarter, a pinnacle.">wings.</a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: lə·’a·ḥaṯ (Prep-l:: Number-fs) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first."></a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- "></a> </span><span class="reftext">7</span>Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the hooves of a calf, gleaming like polished bronze.…<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="/isaiah/6-2.htm">Isaiah 6:2</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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/5-6.htm">Revelation 5:6</a></span><br />Then I saw a Lamb who appeared to have been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.<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/19-4.htm">Revelation 19:4</a></span><br />And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne, saying: “Amen, Hallelujah!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/7-11.htm">Revelation 7:11</a></span><br />And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. And they fell facedown before the throne and worshiped God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/15-7.htm">Revelation 15:7</a></span><br />Then one of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/14-3.htm">Revelation 14:3</a></span><br />And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. And no one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/4-4.htm">Revelation 4:4</a></span><br />Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and on these thrones sat twenty-four elders dressed in white, with golden crowns on their heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/4-10.htm">Revelation 4:10</a></span><br />the twenty-four elders fall down before the One seated on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/5-8.htm">Revelation 5:8</a></span><br />When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/5-11.htm">Revelation 5:11</a></span><br />Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels encircling the throne, and the living creatures and the elders. And their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/5-14.htm">Revelation 5:14</a></span><br />And the four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/6-1.htm">Revelation 6:1</a></span><br />Then I watched as the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/7-1.htm">Revelation 7:1</a></span><br />After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back its four winds so that no wind would blow on land or sea or on any tree.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.</p><p class="hdg">And every one had four faces.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/1-10.htm">Ezekiel 1:10,15</a></b></br> As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/10-10.htm">Ezekiel 10:10,14,21,22</a></b></br> And <i>as for</i> their appearances, they four had one likeness, as if a wheel had been in the midst of a wheel… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/revelation/4-7.htm">Revelation 4:7,8</a></b></br> And the first beast <i>was</i> like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast <i>was</i> like a flying eagle… </p><p class="hdg">every one had four wings</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/1-8.htm">Ezekiel 1:8-11</a></b></br> And <i>they had</i> the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/25-20.htm">Exodus 25:20</a></b></br> And the cherubims shall stretch forth <i>their</i> wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces <i>shall look</i> one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/6-24.htm">1 Kings 6:24-27</a></b></br> And five cubits <i>was</i> the one wing of the cherub, and five cubits the other wing of the cherub: from the uttermost part of the one wing unto the uttermost part of the other <i>were</i> ten cubits… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/lamentations/5-12.htm">Faces</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-5.htm">Four</a> <a href="/jeremiah/49-22.htm">Wings</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/1-8.htm">Faces</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-8.htm">Four</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-8.htm">Wings</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'; 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The four faces—of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle—are often interpreted as representing the fullness of creation and the attributes of God. The face of a man symbolizes intelligence and reason, the lion represents majesty and strength, the ox signifies service and power, and the eagle denotes swiftness and vision. These creatures are similar to the cherubim described in <a href="/ezekiel/10.htm">Ezekiel 10</a> and the living creatures in <a href="/revelation/4-7.htm">Revelation 4:7</a>, suggesting a continuity in the depiction of heavenly beings. The number four is significant in biblical numerology, often representing universality or completeness, as seen in the four corners of the earth or the four winds.<p><b>and four wings</b><br>The four wings of each creature indicate their readiness and ability to move swiftly in any direction, symbolizing the omnipresence and omnipotence of God. Wings in biblical literature often denote divine protection and the ability to transcend earthly limitations. In <a href="/exodus/19-4.htm">Exodus 19:4</a>, God describes carrying the Israelites on "eagles' wings," emphasizing deliverance and care. The wings also suggest a connection to the seraphim in <a href="/isaiah/6-2.htm">Isaiah 6:2</a>, who use their wings to cover their faces and feet, indicating reverence and humility before God. The presence of wings underscores the heavenly origin and nature of these creatures, setting them apart from earthly beings and highlighting their role as attendants to the divine throne.<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_cherubim.htm">The Cherubim</a></b><br>These are the living creatures described in Ezekiel's vision. They are celestial beings that serve as attendants to God, often associated with His divine presence and glory.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylon.htm">Babylon</a></b><br>The place of exile for the Israelites during Ezekiel's time. It is where Ezekiel receives his visions.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_vision_of_god's_glory.htm">The Vision of God's Glory</a></b><br>This event is a significant moment where Ezekiel sees a vision of God's glory, represented by the cherubim and other symbolic elements.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_majesty.htm">Understanding God's Majesty</a></b><br>The vision of the cherubim with four faces and wings symbolizes the multifaceted nature of God's majesty and power. It reminds us of the complexity and depth of God's character.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_omnipresence.htm">God's Omnipresence</a></b><br>The four faces may represent God's ability to see and be present in all directions, emphasizing His omnipresence and omniscience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_in_scripture.htm">Symbolism in Scripture</a></b><br>Recognizing the symbolic nature of biblical visions can deepen our understanding of God's messages. The cherubim's features are not literal but convey spiritual truths.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reverence_for_the_divine.htm">Reverence for the Divine</a></b><br>The awe-inspiring description of the cherubim calls us to approach God with reverence and humility, acknowledging His holiness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_protection_and_guidance.htm">God's Protection and Guidance</a></b><br>The presence of the cherubim in Ezekiel's vision reassures us of God's ongoing protection and guidance, even in times of exile or difficulty.<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/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/do_angels_possess_wings.htm">Do angels possess wings?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_cherubim_have_four_faces.htm">In Ezekiel 10:14, why do the cherubim have four faces, seemingly inconsistent with other biblical angelic descriptions?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_ezekiel's_cherubim_differ.htm">Why does Ezekiel 41:18-19 describe cherubim with faces that seem inconsistent with other biblical angel descriptions?</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>(6) F<span class= "bld">our faces.</span>--The cherubim, being merely symbolical figures, are variously represented. Those placed in the Tabernacle and in the Temple of Solomon appear to have had only a single face; those described in Ezekiel's vision of the Temple (<a href="/context/ezekiel/41-18.htm" title="And it was made with cherubim and palm trees, so that a palm tree was between a cherub and a cherub; and every cherub had two faces;">Ezekiel 41:18-19</a>) had two; the four living creatures of <a href="/revelation/4-7.htm" title="And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.">Revelation 4:7</a> were each different from the other: one like a man, one like a lion, one like an ox, and one like an eagle, and these four are combined here in each one of the cherubim (<a href="/ezekiel/1-10.htm" title="As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.">Ezekiel 1:10</a>). Man is the head of the whole animal creation, the lion of wild beasts, the ox of the domestic animals, and the eagle of the birds.<p><span class= "bld">Four wings.</span>--In <a href="/revelation/4-8.htm" title="And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.">Revelation 4:8</a>, six wings are mentioned, as also with the seraphim of <a href="/isaiah/6-2.htm" title="Above it stood the seraphim: each one had six wings; with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he did fly.">Isaiah 6:2</a>. The cherubim in Solomon's Temple had two (<a href="/1_kings/6-27.htm" title="And he set the cherubim within the inner house: and they stretched forth the wings of the cherubim, so that the wing of the one touched the one wall, and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall; and their wings touched one another in the middle of the house.">1Kings 6:27</a>). In <a href="/ezekiel/10-21.htm" title="Every one had four faces apiece, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings.">Ezekiel 10:21</a>, as here, they have four. The number is plainly not important, though doubtless assigned to them with reference to the number of creatures, and of their faces, and of the wheels; but that they should have more than the normal number of two is here appropriate, partly to concur with the other indications of the fulness of their life and activity, and partly because (<a href="/ezekiel/1-11.htm" title="Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.">Ezekiel 1:11</a>) two of them were used to express their reverence, as were four of those of the seraphim in Isaiah. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezekiel/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 6.</span> - We note the points of contrast with other like visions. <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> In <a href="/isaiah/6-2.htm">Isaiah 6:2</a> each seraph has six wings, as each "living creature" has in <a href="/revelation/4-8.htm">Revelation 4:8</a>. <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> In <a href="/revelation/4-7.htm">Revelation 4:7</a> the four heads are distributed, one to each of the "living creatures," while here each has four faces, and forms, as it were, a <span class="accented">Janus quadrifrons.</span> The wings are described more minutely in ver. 11. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/1-6.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">but each</span><br /><span class="heb">לְאֶחָ֑ת</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’e·ḥāṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Number - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> </span><span class="str2">United, one, first</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had four</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַרְבָּעָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ar·bā·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Number - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_702.htm">Strong's 702: </a> </span><span class="str2">Four</span><br /><br /><span class="word">faces</span><br /><span class="heb">פָנִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(p̄ā·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and four</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַרְבַּ֥ע</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ar·ba‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Number - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_702.htm">Strong's 702: </a> </span><span class="str2">Four</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wings.</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּנָפַ֖יִם</span> <span class="translit">(kə·nā·p̄a·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - fd<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3671.htm">Strong's 3671: </a> </span><span class="str2">An edge, extremity, a wing, a flap, a quarter, a pinnacle</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/1-6.htm">Ezekiel 1:6 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/1-6.htm">Ezekiel 1:6 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezekiel/1-6.htm">Ezekiel 1:6 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/1-6.htm">Ezekiel 1:6 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/1-6.htm">Ezekiel 1:6 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/1-6.htm">Ezekiel 1:6 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/1-6.htm">Ezekiel 1:6 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/1-6.htm">Ezekiel 1:6 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/1-6.htm">Ezekiel 1:6 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezekiel/1-6.htm">Ezekiel 1:6 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezekiel/1-6.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 1:6 Everyone had four faces and each one (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/1-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 1:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 1:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/1-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 1:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 1:7" /></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>