Ezekiel Chapter 1

Introduction to Ezekiel

The Glory of God in Judgment, Exile, and Restoration

The book of Ezekiel is one of the major prophetic books of the Old Testament. It was written during the Babylonian exile and speaks to a people who had lost their land, their city, their temple, their king, and their visible sense of covenant security. Jeremiah preached in Jerusalem before and during the fall. Ezekiel preached among the exiles in Babylon. Jeremiah stood in the collapsing city. Ezekiel stood beside the captives by the river Chebar.

Ezekiel 1:1-3, “Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity, The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.”

Ezekiel was both a priest and a prophet. This matters because much of the book is concerned with the temple, the glory of God, holiness, defilement, priestly responsibility, and the restoration of true worship. As a priest, Ezekiel would have been deeply concerned with the house of the LORD in Jerusalem. As a prophet, he was commanded to declare why that house would be judged, why the glory would depart, and how God would one day restore His people and His worship.

Ezekiel’s ministry began among the captives. He was not preaching to comfortable people in their homeland. He preached to displaced people in exile. Many of them still believed Jerusalem could not fall because the temple was there. They assumed the exile would soon end and that God would not allow His city and sanctuary to be destroyed. Ezekiel’s early message destroyed that false hope. Jerusalem would fall because the people had defiled the land, the temple, the priesthood, and the covenant.

The historical setting overlaps with the final years of Judah. Ezekiel was taken to Babylon in the captivity associated with Jehoiachin, before Jerusalem’s final destruction under Zedekiah. His prophecies begin before Jerusalem falls and continue after the city is destroyed. This gives the book a clear movement: warning before the fall, judgment during the fall, and hope after the fall.

2 Kings 24:14-15, “And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour... And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon...”

Ezekiel’s call came in exile, but God’s presence was not limited to Jerusalem. That is one of the great opening shocks of the book. The heavens opened in Babylon. The glory of God appeared by the river Chebar. The LORD was not trapped in the temple. The LORD was not defeated by Babylon. The LORD was sovereign over Jerusalem, Babylon, the nations, the temple, and the exiles.

The opening vision of Ezekiel is one of the most majestic and difficult visions in Scripture. Ezekiel sees living creatures, wheels within wheels, the firmament, the throne, and the appearance of the glory of the LORD. The point is not mere mystery. The point is the sovereign mobility of God’s glory. God reigns everywhere. His throne is not stuck in Jerusalem. His glory can appear in exile.

Ezekiel 1:28, “As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD...”

The glory of the LORD is one of the central themes of Ezekiel. The book shows the glory of God appearing, departing from the defiled temple, judging the sinful people, and eventually returning in the restoration vision. Ezekiel teaches that God’s glory cannot dwell comfortably with idolatry, violence, hypocrisy, and uncleanness.

Ezekiel also emphasizes personal responsibility. The exiles were tempted to blame previous generations entirely for their suffering. They used a proverb similar to the one also addressed in Jeremiah: the fathers ate sour grapes, and the children’s teeth were set on edge. Ezekiel corrects this. The present generation was responsible before God.

Ezekiel 18:20, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father...”

This does not deny generational consequences. Judah was certainly suffering from the accumulated sins of many generations. But Ezekiel makes clear that every person stands accountable before God. The righteous must continue in righteousness. The wicked must repent. No one can hide behind ancestry, nationality, family history, or religious heritage.

Ezekiel is also filled with symbolic actions. God commands Ezekiel to act out judgment in visible ways. He lies on his side, eats measured food, shaves his head, packs baggage like an exile, and performs signs before the people. These actions make the message impossible to ignore. The prophet himself becomes a living sermon.

Ezekiel’s preaching is often severe because the spiritual condition of Judah was severe. The book exposes idolatry in the temple, corrupt leaders, false prophets, bloody violence, social injustice, and spiritual adultery. Ezekiel shows that Jerusalem’s fall was deserved. The people were not innocent victims of Babylonian power. They were covenant rebels under the judgment of the LORD.

Yet Ezekiel is not a book of judgment only. Some of the greatest restoration promises in the Old Testament are found in Ezekiel. God promises to gather Israel, cleanse them, give them a new heart, put a new spirit within them, and cause them to walk in His statutes.

Ezekiel 36:24-27, “For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean... A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you... And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes...”

This is new covenant language. Jeremiah announced the new covenant. Ezekiel describes the inner transformation that belongs to it. The problem was not merely that Israel needed better circumstances. Israel needed a new heart. They needed cleansing, regeneration, and the Spirit of God.

From a Baptist and conservative evangelical perspective, Ezekiel strongly supports the doctrine that man’s deepest problem is spiritual deadness and heart corruption, and that only God can give true spiritual life. Ezekiel 36 points to regeneration, cleansing, and the work of the Spirit. This connects directly with the New Testament doctrine of the new birth.

John 3:5-7, “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit... Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”

Ezekiel 37 gives the famous vision of the valley of dry bones. Israel is pictured as dead, dry, scattered bones. Human power cannot restore them. But the word of the LORD and the Spirit of God bring life. The bones come together, receive breath, and stand as an exceeding great army.

Ezekiel 37:5, “Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:”

This vision speaks first to the restoration of Israel from national death and exile. It also displays the broader principle that God alone raises the dead. Where there is no life, God can speak life. Where there is no hope, God can create hope.

Ezekiel also contains major prophecies against the nations. Like Jeremiah, Ezekiel shows that the LORD is not merely the God of Israel but the Judge of all nations. Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyre, Sidon, Egypt, and others come under His word. God judges nations for pride, cruelty, idolatry, and hostility toward His people.

A repeated phrase throughout Ezekiel is, “they shall know that I am the LORD.” This is one of the keys to the book. God acts in judgment and restoration so that Israel and the nations will know Him. His goal is the revelation of His own name, holiness, and glory.

The later chapters of Ezekiel, especially chapters 40-48, describe a future temple, restored worship, a restored land, and the return of the glory of the LORD. These chapters are some of the most debated in the Old Testament. A literal, dispensational premillennial reading understands these chapters as pointing to a future restoration of Israel and a future temple connected with the millennial kingdom. The vision shows ordered worship, holiness, tribal inheritance, and the presence of God among His people.

Ezekiel 43:4-5, “And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east. So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house.”

That is one of the great reversals in the book. Earlier, the glory departs from the defiled temple. Later, the glory returns. Judgment is not the final word. Restoration, holiness, and God’s presence are the final hope.

The book ends with the name of the restored city:

Ezekiel 48:35, “...and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there.”

That final phrase captures the heart of Ezekiel. The people lost land, temple, king, city, and security because of sin. But God’s purpose is to restore His presence among His people in holiness. The ultimate blessing is not merely land, prosperity, or national strength. The ultimate blessing is this: “The LORD is there.”

Major Themes in Ezekiel

Ezekiel teaches the holiness of God. The LORD will not dwell peacefully among idolatry and uncleanness.

Ezekiel teaches the glory of God. His glory appears in exile, departs from the defiled temple, and returns in restoration.

Ezekiel teaches the certainty of judgment. Jerusalem fell because God’s word against sin cannot fail.

Ezekiel teaches personal responsibility. Each soul stands accountable before God.

Ezekiel teaches the danger of false prophets and corrupt shepherds. Leaders who mislead God’s people will answer to the LORD.

Ezekiel teaches that the nations are under God’s rule. Israel’s God judges all nations.

Ezekiel teaches that restoration must begin with inward transformation. Israel needs cleansing, a new heart, a new spirit, and the Spirit of God.

Ezekiel teaches resurrection hope. The dry bones live by the word and Spirit of the LORD.

Ezekiel teaches the future restoration of Israel. God will gather, cleanse, restore, and dwell among His people.

Ezekiel teaches that the final blessing is the presence of the LORD.

Basic Structure of Ezekiel

Ezekiel 1-3 records Ezekiel’s vision of the glory of the LORD and his prophetic call.

Ezekiel 4-24 contains signs and messages of judgment against Jerusalem and Judah before the city falls.

Ezekiel 25-32 contains judgments against the surrounding nations.

Ezekiel 33-39 contains messages of watchman responsibility, Israel’s restoration, the new heart, the dry bones, and future victory over enemies.

Ezekiel 40-48 contains the vision of the future temple, restored worship, restored land, and the city named “The LORD is there.”

Summary

Ezekiel is the prophetic book of God’s glory in exile, judgment, and restoration. Ezekiel, a priest and prophet, ministers among the captives in Babylon. His message explains why Jerusalem must fall, why the temple will be judged, why the glory departs, and why the people must know that the LORD is holy.

The book is severe because Judah’s sin was severe. It exposes idolatry, corrupt leadership, false prophecy, violence, injustice, and spiritual adultery. Yet Ezekiel is also full of hope. God promises to gather His people, cleanse them, give them a new heart, put His Spirit within them, and restore them to the land.

Ezekiel shows that the LORD is not defeated by exile. His glory appears in Babylon. His word rules over Jerusalem and the nations. His judgment is righteous. His restoration is powerful. His presence is the final hope.

The book that begins with the glory of the LORD appearing in exile ends with the restored city named, “The LORD is there.”

Ezekiel 1

Ezekiel’s Vision of God and His Throne

Ezekiel 1:1-3, Ezekiel among the Captives

Ezekiel 1:1-3, “Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity, The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.”

Ezekiel begins with time, place, and historical setting. This is not myth, legend, or spiritual fantasy. Ezekiel was a real man, among real captives, in a real exile, by the river Chebar, when the heavens were opened and he saw visions of God.

The “thirtieth year” is likely Ezekiel’s age. This is significant because priests normally entered full service at thirty. Ezekiel was a priest, but exile had removed him from the temple ministry he would have expected. Instead of serving in Jerusalem’s temple, he is commissioned as a prophet in Babylon.

He was “among the captives.” Ezekiel had been carried away in the second major Babylonian deportation, connected with king Jehoiachin’s captivity. Jerusalem had not yet finally fallen, and the temple still stood. Many false prophets were still telling the people that the exile would soon end and that Babylon would be broken quickly. Ezekiel’s ministry would correct that false hope. Jerusalem would fall because Judah’s sin had brought the judgment of God.

The river Chebar was in the land of the Chaldeans. That means Ezekiel’s vision comes not in Jerusalem, not inside the temple, not at the altar, and not in the land of Israel, but in exile. This is one of the great shocks of the chapter. The glory of God appears in Babylon. The LORD is not confined to the temple. He is not defeated by exile. He rules over Jerusalem, Babylon, the captives, the nations, and all creation.

The word of the LORD came “expressly” to Ezekiel. It was clear, direct, and personal. Ezekiel was not merely having a strange religious experience. The God of Israel was speaking to him.

“The hand of the LORD was there upon him.” Ezekiel’s name means something like “God strengthens” or “strengthened by God,” and this fits the calling. Ezekiel would need divine strength to preach hard truth to a stubborn people in exile.

Ezekiel 1:4, The Whirlwind out of the North

Ezekiel 1:4, “And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.”

Ezekiel sees a whirlwind coming out of the north. The north is often associated in the prophets with the direction from which judgment comes upon Judah. Babylon’s armies came from that direction in practical invasion routes. This means the vision itself is connected with judgment, exile, and the sovereignty of God over the disaster that had overtaken His people.

The whirlwind is joined with a great cloud, fire infolding itself, brightness, and the color of amber. These images recall earlier manifestations of God’s presence. Israel knew the cloud and fire in the wilderness.

Exodus 13:21-22, “And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud... and by night in a pillar of fire... He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.”

The fire also reminds us of the burning bush, where God appeared to Moses.

Exodus 3:2, “And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush...”

Ezekiel is seeing a manifestation of divine glory. The Babylonians may seem strong. Their empire may seem overwhelming. Their gods may seem impressive to the exiles. But Ezekiel sees that the LORD is the true sovereign God. His glory is greater than Babylon’s power.

Ezekiel 1:5-9, The Four Living Creatures

Ezekiel 1:5-9, “Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings. 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. And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings. Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.”

Out of the midst of the fiery cloud come four living creatures. Ezekiel later identifies these beings as cherubim.

Ezekiel 10:20, “This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; and I knew that they were the cherubims.”

Cherubim appear throughout Scripture as heavenly beings associated with the presence, holiness, throne, and glory of God. They guarded the way to the tree of life after Adam and Eve were driven from Eden.

Genesis 3:24, “So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims...”

Cherubim were also represented over the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant.

Exodus 25:20, “And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings...”

Ezekiel says these living creatures had “the likeness of a man.” They were not human, but their general form had human likeness. Each had four faces and four wings. Their feet were straight, with soles like a calf’s foot, and they sparkled like burnished brass. Their hands were like the hands of a man under their wings.

Their wings were joined one to another, and they did not turn when they moved. They went straight forward. This is not chaos. The movement around God’s throne is ordered, purposeful, and obedient.

The creatures are strange to us because they are heavenly beings. Ezekiel is not describing something ordinary. He is describing the throne attendants of the glory of God.

Ezekiel 1:10-14, The Appearance and Movement of the Living Creatures

Ezekiel 1:10-14, “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. 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. And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went. 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. And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.”

Each living creature had four faces: a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle. These likely represent the highest orders of animate creation. Man is the highest earthly creature made in God’s image. The lion is mighty among wild beasts. The ox is strong among domestic animals. The eagle is exalted among birds.

All creation, in its highest representative forms, is beneath the throne of God. The creatures are glorious, but they are not ultimate. They serve the One above them.

Their wings are stretched upward. Two wings touch one another, and two cover their bodies. Their movement is again described as straight forward. They go wherever the spirit directs, and they do not turn aside. The emphasis is perfect readiness and obedience.

Their appearance is like burning coals and lamps. Fire moves among them. Lightning comes from the fire. They run and return like a flash of lightning. The vision communicates holiness, energy, judgment, purity, speed, and glory.

These beings are not cute religious symbols. They are burning heavenly servants around the throne of the living God.

Ezekiel 1:15-21, The Wheels Associated with the Living Creatures

Ezekiel 1:15-21, “Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces. The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel. When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went. As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four. And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up. Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.”

Ezekiel now sees wheels beside the living creatures. This is part of the vision of God’s throne-chariot, the royal movement of God’s glory. The LORD’s throne is not stationary in the way earthly kings are stationary. His glory moves. He rules everywhere.

The wheels are like the color of beryl. Their appearance is “a wheel in the middle of a wheel.” They can move in any direction without turning aside. This fits the earlier description of the living creatures, who also move straight forward without turning.

The rims are high and dreadful, full of eyes round about. The eyes suggest sight, intelligence, awareness, and knowledge. Nothing is hidden from the God whose throne is attended by such creatures and wheels.

The movement of the wheels is perfectly joined to the movement of the living creatures. When the creatures move, the wheels move. When the creatures stand, the wheels stand. When the creatures are lifted up, the wheels are lifted up.

“For the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.” There is no conflict, confusion, or resistance in the movement of God’s throne. Heaven moves with perfect unity under the will of God.

This matters for Ezekiel’s situation. Judah’s exile may look chaotic on earth, but heaven is not chaotic. God’s throne is moving with purpose. His judgment is not accidental. His glory is not trapped. His rule is not shaken.

Ezekiel 1:22-25, The Firmament and the Wings of the Living Creatures

Ezekiel 1:22-25, “And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above. And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other: every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies. And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings. And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings.”

Above the living creatures is the likeness of a firmament, like terrible crystal. Ezekiel sees a shining, awe-inspiring expanse above the cherubim. The word “terrible” here carries the sense of awe, majesty, and fearsome splendor.

The wings of the creatures are straight under the firmament. When they move, the noise of their wings is like great waters, like the voice of the Almighty, like the voice of speech, and like the noise of an army. The sound is overwhelming.

Scripture often uses the sound of many waters to describe overwhelming divine majesty.

Revelation 1:15, “And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.”

When the voice comes from above the firmament, the creatures stand and let down their wings. Even the mighty cherubim are quiet before the voice above them. Their glory is subordinate. Their motion stops when the voice speaks.

The vision is building upward. Ezekiel first sees the storm, then the living creatures, then the wheels, then the firmament, then the voice above the firmament. Everything is moving toward the throne.

Ezekiel 1:26-28, The Throne and the Appearance of the Glory of the LORD

Ezekiel 1:26-28, “And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.”

Above the firmament is the likeness of a throne, like sapphire stone. This is the center of the vision. Ezekiel is seeing the throne of God.

Upon the likeness of the throne is the likeness as the appearance of a man. Ezekiel is careful with his language. He does not claim to see God in His essence. He sees “the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.” The repeated terms protect the transcendence of God while still affirming that God truly revealed Himself.

The appearance is fiery, radiant, and full of brightness. From the loins upward and downward, Ezekiel sees the appearance of fire and amber-like radiance. Around it is brightness like the bow in the cloud in the day of rain.

The rainbow matters. The throne speaks of sovereignty. The rainbow speaks of covenant promise. God rules absolutely, but He rules according to His own holy character and promises. His sovereignty is never random, cruel, or faithless.

Genesis 9:13, “I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.”

Ezekiel identifies the vision: “This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.” The glory of the LORD is the great theme of Ezekiel. He sees God’s glory in exile. He will later see that glory depart from the defiled temple. Later still, he will see the glory return.

Ezekiel’s response is the only proper response: “I fell upon my face.” The vision does not make him casual, proud, speculative, or entertained. It brings him low in worship, fear, and surrender.

Then he hears a voice speaking. Vision leads to word. God reveals His glory, and then God speaks. Ezekiel’s prophetic ministry will be grounded in both the glory of God and the word of God.

Doctrinal and Practical Notes

Ezekiel 1 teaches that God is sovereign even in exile. His glory appears in Babylon, not only in Jerusalem.

Ezekiel 1 teaches that the LORD is not confined to the temple. The heavens open by the river Chebar.

Ezekiel 1 teaches that judgment comes under God’s rule. The whirlwind from the north connects the vision to the direction of Judah’s calamity.

Ezekiel 1 teaches that heavenly beings serve the throne of God with perfect order and obedience.

Ezekiel 1 teaches that all creation is beneath God’s throne. The man, lion, ox, and eagle faces represent creation’s excellence under divine rule.

Ezekiel 1 teaches that God’s throne is living, active, mobile, and unstoppable. The wheels move with purpose wherever the spirit goes.

Ezekiel 1 teaches that God sees and knows all things. The eyes on the wheels point to divine awareness and omniscience.

Ezekiel 1 teaches that the glory of God is radiant, holy, fiery, and overwhelming.

Ezekiel 1 teaches that God’s throne is joined with covenant faithfulness. The rainbow surrounds the throne.

Ezekiel 1 teaches that the proper response to God’s glory is humility. Ezekiel falls on his face and listens to the voice of God.

Summary

Ezekiel 1 records Ezekiel’s opening vision of God and His throne. Ezekiel is among the captives by the river Chebar in the land of the Chaldeans when the heavens are opened and he sees visions of God. The word of the LORD comes expressly to Ezekiel the priest, son of Buzi, and the hand of the LORD is upon him.

Ezekiel sees a whirlwind from the north, a great cloud, fire infolding itself, brightness, and the color of amber in the fire. Out of the midst come four living creatures, later identified as cherubim. They have the likeness of a man, four faces, four wings, straight feet, soles like calves’ feet, burnished brass-like brightness, and hands of a man under their wings. They move straight forward and do not turn aside.

Each creature has the face of a man, lion, ox, and eagle. Their wings are stretched upward, two touching and two covering their bodies. They go wherever the spirit directs. Their appearance is like burning coals and lamps, with fire and lightning among them, and they run and return like flashes of lightning.

Beside the creatures are wheels, one by each living creature. The wheels are like beryl, like a wheel in the middle of a wheel. They move in any direction without turning. Their rims are high, dreadful, and full of eyes. The wheels move, stand, and rise with the living creatures because the spirit of the living creature is in the wheels.

Above the living creatures is a firmament like terrible crystal. Their wings make a noise like great waters, like the voice of the Almighty, and like the noise of an army. A voice comes from above the firmament, and the creatures stand still and lower their wings.

Above the firmament is the likeness of a throne like sapphire stone. Upon the throne is the likeness as the appearance of a man. Ezekiel sees amber-like fire, brightness, and the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud. He identifies this as the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When he sees it, he falls on his face and hears the voice of One speaking.