---
title: "Clarke"
description: "Verse Ezekiel 1:1. In the thirtieth year — We know not what this date refers to. Some think it was the age of the prophet; others think the date is taken"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/ezekiel/1"
---

Verse [Ezekiel 1:1](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/1). ***In the thirtieth year*** — We know not what this date refers to. Some think it was the *age of the prophet*; others think the date is taken from the *time* that Josiah *renewed the covenant* with the people, [2 Kings 22:3](../../../kjv/2-kings/22/3), from which *Usher, Prideaux*, and *Calmet* compute the *forty* years of *Judah's* *transgression*, mentioned [Ezekiel 4:6](../../../kjv/ezekiel/4/6).
Abp. *Newcome* thinks there is an error in the text, and that instead of בשלשים *bisheloshim*, in the *thirtieth*, we should read בחמישית *bachamishith*, in the *fifth*, as in the *second* verse. "Now it came to pass in the fifth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month," &c. But this is supported by none of the ancient *Versions*, nor by any MS. The *Chaldee* paraphrases the verse, "And it came to pass *thirty* years after the high priest Hilkiah had found the book of the law, in the house of the sanctuary," &c. This was in the *twelfth* year of Josiah's reign. The *thirtieth* year, computed as above, comes to A.M. 3409, the *fourth* year from the captivity of Jeconiah, and the *fifth* of the reign of Zedekiah. Ezekiel was then among the captives who had been carried way with Jeconiah, and had his dwelling near the river *Chebar, Chaborus*, or *Aboras*, a river of Mesopotamia, which falls into the *Euphrates* a little above *Thapsacus*, after having run through Mesopotamia from east to west. - *Calmet*.
***Fourth*****month**] *Thammuz*, answering nearly to our *July*.
***I saw visions of God.*** — Emblems and symbols of the Divine Majesty. He particularly refers to those in this chapter.

Verse [Ezekiel 1:2](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/2). ***Jehoiachin's captivity*** — Called also Jeconiah and Coniah; see [2 Kings 24:12](../../../kjv/2-kings/24/12). He was carried away by Nebuchadnezzar; see [2 Kings 24:14](../../../kjv/2-kings/24/14).

Verse [Ezekiel 1:3](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/3). ***The hand of the Lord*** — I was filled with his power, and with the influence of the prophetic spirit.

Verse [Ezekiel 1:4](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/4). ***A whirlwind came out of the north*** — Nebuchadnezzar, whose land, Babylonia, lay north of Judea. *Chaldea* is thus frequently denominated by Jeremiah.
***A great cloud, and a fire infolding itself*** — A mass of fire concentrated in a *vast cloud*, that the flames might be more distinctly observable, the fire never escaping from the cloud, but issuing, and then returning in upon itself. It was in a state of powerful agitation; but always involving itself, or returning back to the centre whence it appeared to issue.
***A brightness*****was*****about it*** — A fine tinge of light surrounded the cloud, in order to make its limits the more discernible; beyond which verge the turmoiling fire did not proceed.
***The colour of amber*** — This was in the centre of the cloud; and this amber-coloured substance was the centre of the labouring flame. The word ηλεκτρον, which we translate *amber*, was used to signify a compound metal, very bright, made of gold and brass.

Verse [Ezekiel 1:5](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/5). ***Also out on the midst thereof*****came -*****four living**********creatures.*** — As the amber-coloured body was the *centre* of the *fire,* and this *fire* was in the *centre* of the *cloud*; so out of this amber-coloured igneous centre came the *living creatures* just mentioned.

Verse [Ezekiel 1:6](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/6). ***Every one had four faces*** — There were *four* several figures of these living creatures, and each of these figures had *four* distinct faces: but as the face of the *man* was that which was presented to the prophet's view, so that he saw it more plainly than any of the others; hence it is said, [Ezekiel 1:5](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/5), that each of these figures had *the likeness of a man*; and the whole of this compound image bore a general resemblance to the human figure.

Verse [Ezekiel 1:7](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/7). ***Their feet*****were*****straight feet*** — There did not seem to be any flexure at the knee, nor were the legs separated in that way as to indicate progression by walking. I have before me several ancient *Egyptian* images of *Isis, Osiris. Anubis*, c., where the legs are *not separated*, nor is there any bend at the knees so that if there was any motion at all, it must have been by *gliding*, not progressive walking. It is a remark of *AElian*, that the gods are never represented as *walking*, but always *gliding*; and he gives this as a criterion to discern common angelic appearances from those of the *gods*: all other spiritual beings *walked* *progressively*, rising on one foot, while they stretched out the other; but the deities always *glided* without *gradual* progressive motions. And *Heliodorus* in his Romance of *Theogines* and *Charicha*, gives the same reason for the *united feet of the gods*, c., and describes the same appearances.
***Like the sole of a calf's foot*** — Before it is stated to be a *straight foot* one that did not lay down a *flat horizontal sole*, like that of the human foot.
***And they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass.*** — I suppose this refers rather to the *hoof* of the calf's foot, than to the whole appearance of the *leg*. There is scarcely any thing that gives a higher lustre than highly *polished* or *burnished brass*. Our blessed Lord is represented with legs like *burnished brass*, [Revelation 1:15](../../../kjv/revelation/1/15).

Verse [Ezekiel 1:8](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/8). **They had*****the hands of a man under their wings*** — I doubt much whether the arms be not here represented as all covered with feathers, so that they had the appearance of wings, only the hand was bare; and I rather think that this is the meaning of their having "the hands of a man under their wings."

Verse [Ezekiel 1:9](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/9). ***Their wings*****were*****joined one to another*** — When their wings were extended, they formed a sort of canopy level with their own heads or shoulders; and on this canopy was the throne, and the "likeness of the man" upon it, [Ezekiel 1:26](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/26).
***They turned not when they went*** — The wings did not flap in flying, or move in the manner of oars, or of the hands of a man in swimming, in order to their passing through the air; as they *glided* in reference to their *feet*, so they *soared* in reference to their *wings*.

Verse [Ezekiel 1:10](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/10). ***As for the likeness of their faces*** — There was but one body to each of those compound animals: but each body had four faces; the face of a *man* and of a *lion* on the right side; the face of an *ox* and an *eagle* on the left side. Many of these compound images appear in the Asiatic idols. Many are now before me: some with the head and feet of a *monkey*, with the body, arms, and *legs* of a *man*. Others with the head of the *dog*; body, arms, and legs human. Some with the head of an *ape*; all the rest human. Some with one head and eight arms; others with six heads or faces, with twelve arms. The head of a lion and the head of a cock often appear; and some with the head of a cock, the whole body human, and the legs terminating in *snakes*. All these were symbolical, and each had its own appropriate meaning. Those in the text had theirs also, could we but find it out.

Verse [Ezekiel 1:12](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/12). ***They went every one straight forward*** — Not by *progressive stepping*, but by *gliding*.
***Whither the spirit was to go*** — Whither that *whirlwind* blew, they went, being borne on by the wind, see [Ezekiel 1:4](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/4).

Verse [Ezekiel 1:13](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/13). ***Like burning coals of fire*** — The whole substance appeared to be of flame; and among them frequent coruscations of fire, like vibrating lamps, often emitting lightning, or rather sparks of fire, as we have seen struck out of strongly ignited iron in a forge. The flames might be something like what is called *warring wheels* in pyrotechny. They seemed to conflict together.

Verse [Ezekiel 1:14](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/14). ***The living creatures ran and returned*** — They had a circular movement; they were in rapid motion, but did not increase their distance from the spectator. So I think this should be understood.

Verse [Ezekiel 1:15](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/15). ***One wheel upon the earth*** — It seems at first view there were *four wheels*, one for each of the living creatures; that is, the creatures were compound, so were the wheels, for there was "a wheel in the middle of a wheel." And it is generally supposed that these wheels cut each other at right angles up and down: and this is the manner in which they are generally represented; but most probably the *wheel within* means merely the *nave* in which the spokes are inserted, in reference to the *ring, rim*, or *periphery*, where these *spokes* terminate from the centre or nave. I do think this is what is meant by the wheel within a wheel; and I am the more inclined to this opinion, by some fine Chinese drawings now before me, where their *deities* are represented as *walking upon* *wheels*, the wheels themselves *encompassed with fire*. The wheel is simply by itself having a projecting axis; so of *these* it is said, "their appearance and their work was, as it were, a wheel within a wheel." There were either two peripheries or rims with their spokes, or the *nave* answered for the wheel within. I have examined models of what are called Ezekiel's wheels, which are designed to move equally in all directions: but I plainly saw that this was impossible; nor can any kind of complex wheel move in this way.

Verse [Ezekiel 1:18](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/18). ***As for their rings*** — The *strakes* which form the *rim* or *periphery*.
***They were dreadful*** — They were exceedingly great in their diameter, so that it was tremendous to look from the part that touched the ground to that which was opposite above.
**Were*****full of eyes*** — Does not this refer to the appearance of *nails* keeping on the spokes, or strakes or bands upon the rim?

Verse [Ezekiel 1:19](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/19). ***When the living creatures went, the wheels went*** — The *wheels* were attached to the living creatures, so that, in progress, they had the same motion.

Verse [Ezekiel 1:20](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/20). ***The spirit of the living creature*****was*****in the wheels.*** — That is, the wheels were *instinct with a vital spirit*; the wheels were *alive*, they also were *animals*, or endued with *animal life*, as the creatures were that stood upon them. Here then is the *chariot of Jehovah*. There are *four wheels*, on each of which one of the *compound animals* stands; the four compound animals form the *body* of the *chariot*, their wings spread horizontally above, forming the canopy or covering of this chariot; on the top of which, or upon the extended wings of the four living creatures, was the throne, on which was the appearance of a man, [Ezekiel 1:26](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/26).

Verse [Ezekiel 1:22](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/22). ***The colour of the terrible crystal*** — Like a *crystal*, well cut and well polished, with various *faces*, by which rays of light were refracted, assuming either a variety of prismatic colours, or an insufferably brilliant splendour. This seems to be the meaning of the *terrible crystal*. *Newcome* translates, *fearful* *ice*. The common translation is preferable.

Verse [Ezekiel 1:23](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/23). ***Every one had two, which covered on this side*** — While they employed two of their wings to form a foundation for the *firmament* to rest on, two other wings were let down to cover the lower part of their bodies: but this they did only when they *stood*, [Ezekiel 1:24](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/24).

Verse [Ezekiel 1:24](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/24). ***The noise of their wings*** — When the whirlwind drove the wheels, the wind rustling among the wings was like the noise of *many waters*; like a *waterfall*, or *waters dashing continually* *against the rocks*, or *rushing down precipices*.
***As the voice of the Almighty*** — Like distant thunder; for this is termed the *voice of God*, [Psalms 18:13](../../../kjv/psalms/18/13); [Exodus 9:23](../../../kjv/exodus/9/23); [Exodus 9:28-29](../../../kjv/exodus/9/28-29); [Exodus 20:18](../../../kjv/exodus/20/18).

Verse [Ezekiel 1:26](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/26). ***A sapphire*** — The pure oriental sapphire, a large well cut specimen of which is now before me, is one of the most beautiful and resplendent blues that can be conceived. I have sometimes seen the heavens assume this illustrious hue. The human form above this canopy is supposed to represent Him who, in the fulness of time, was manifested in the flesh.

Verse [Ezekiel 1:27](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/27). ***The colour of amber*** — There are specimens of amber which are very pure and beautifully transparent. One which I now hold up to the light gives a most beautiful *bright yellow* colour. Such a splendid appearance had the august Being who sat upon this throne from the reins upward; but from thence downward he had the appearance of *fire*, burning with a clear and brilliant flame. For farther particulars [Ezekiel 10:9](../../../kjv/ezekiel/10/9).

Verse [Ezekiel 1:28](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/28). ***As the appearance of the bow*** — Over the canopy on which this glorious personage sat there was a fine *rainbow*, which, from the description here, had all its colours vivid, distinct, and in perfection-red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. In all this description we must understand every *metal*, every *colour*, and every *natural appearance*, to be in their utmost perfection of *shape, colour*, and *splendour*. "And this," as above described, "was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord." Splendid and glorious as it was, it was only the "appearance of the likeness," a faint representation of the real thing.
I have endeavoured to explain these appearances as correctly as possible; to show their forms, positions, colours, c. But who can explain their meaning? We have conjectures in abundance and can it be of any use to mankind to increase the number of those conjectures? I think not. I doubt whether the whole does not point out the state of the Jews, who were about to be subdued by Nebuchadnezzar, and carried into captivity. And I am inclined to think that the "living creatures, wheels, fires, whirlwinds," c., which are introduced here, point out, emblematically, the various means, sword, fire, pestilence, famine, &c., which were employed in tneir destruction and that *God appears* in all this to show that Nebuchadnezzar is only his *instrument* to inflict all these calamities. What is in the following chapter appears to me to confirm this supposition. But we have the *rainbow*, the token of God's covenant, to show that though there should be a destruction of the city, temple, c., and sore tribulation among the people, yet there should not be a total ruin after a long captivity they should be restored. The rainbow is an illustrious token of mercy and love.

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