Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was human, New Living Translation From the center of the cloud came four living beings that looked human, English Standard Version And from the midst of it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had a human likeness, Berean Standard Bible and within it was the form of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: They had a human form, King James Bible 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. New King James Version Also from within it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man. New American Standard Bible And within it there were figures resembling four living beings. And this was their appearance: they had human form. NASB 1995 Within it there were figures resembling four living beings. And this was their appearance: they had human form. NASB 1977 And within it there were figures resembling four living beings. And this was their appearance: they had human form. Legacy Standard Bible And within it there were figures with the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man. Amplified Bible Within it there were figures resembling four living beings. And this was their appearance: they had human form. Christian Standard Bible The likeness of four living creatures came from it, and this was their appearance: They looked something like a human, Holman Christian Standard Bible The form of four living creatures came from it. And this was their appearance: They had human form, American Standard Version And out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man; Contemporary English Version and in that center I saw what looked like four living creatures. They were somewhat like humans, English Revised Version And out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. GOD'S WORD® Translation In the center of the cloud I saw what looked like four living creatures. They were shaped like humans, Good News Translation At the center of the storm I saw what looked like four living creatures in human form, International Standard Version Deep inside it, the likenesses of four living beings were visible. Their appearances were similar to human forms, Majority Standard Bible and within it was the form of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: They had a human form, NET Bible In the fire were what looked like four living beings. In their appearance they had human form, New Heart English Bible Out of its midst came the likeness of four living creatures. This was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man. Webster's Bible Translation Also from the midst of it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. World English Bible Out of its center came the likeness of four living creatures. This was their appearance: They had the likeness of a man. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd out of its midst [is] a likeness of four living creatures, and this [is] their appearance; a likeness of man [is] to them, Young's Literal Translation And out of its midst is a likeness of four living creatures, and this is their appearance; a likeness of man is to them, Smith's Literal Translation And from its midst the likeness of four living creatures: and this their vision; and the likeness of a man to them. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd in the midst thereof the likeness of four living creatures: and this was their appearance: there was the likeness of a man in them. Catholic Public Domain Version And in its midst, there was the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: the likeness of a man was in them. New American Bible From within it figures in the likeness of four living creatures appeared. This is what they looked like: New Revised Standard Version In the middle of it was something like four living creatures. This was their appearance: they were of human form. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAlso out of the midst of it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And from within it was the likeness of four living creatures, and this was their appearance: as the likeness of the sons of men OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man. Brenton Septuagint Translation And in the midst as it were the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; the likeness of a man was upon them. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Four Living Creatures4I looked and saw a whirlwind coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing back and forth and brilliant light all around it. In the center of the fire was a gleam like amber, 5and within it was the form of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: They had a human form, 6but each had four faces and four wings.… Cross References Revelation 4:6-8 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!” Daniel 7:3-8 Then four great beasts came up out of the sea, each one different from the others: / The first beast was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man and given the mind of a man. / Suddenly another beast appeared, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. So it was told, ‘Get up and gorge yourself on flesh!’ ... Revelation 19:4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne, saying: “Amen, Hallelujah!” Isaiah 6:2-3 Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. / And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.” Revelation 5:8-10 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. / And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. / You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign upon the earth.” Revelation 7:11 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, Revelation 15:7 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. Revelation 14:3 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. Revelation 5:14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. Revelation 19:1 After this I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude in heaven, shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God! Revelation 4:4 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. Revelation 11:16 And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, Revelation 7:13-14 Then one of the elders addressed me: “These in white robes,” he asked, “who are they, and where have they come from?” / “Sir,” I answered, “you know.” So he replied, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying overhead, with the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation and tribe and tongue and people. Revelation 5:6 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. Treasury of Scripture Also out of the middle thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. the likeness Revelation 4:6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. Revelation 6:6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. Jump to Previous Appearance Beings Creatures Figures Fire Form Forms Four Heart Human Likeness Midst Resembling Thereof WithinJump to Next Appearance Beings Creatures Figures Fire Form Forms Four Heart Human Likeness Midst Resembling Thereof WithinEzekiel 1 1. The time of Ezekiel's prophecy at Chebar.4. His vision of four cherubim; 15. of the four wheels; 26. and of the glory of God. and within it The phrase "and within it" refers to the vision that Ezekiel is experiencing, specifically the whirlwind and the great cloud described in the preceding verses. The Hebrew word for "within" is "תּוֹךְ" (tôk), which implies something central or in the midst. This suggests that the vision Ezekiel is witnessing is not just a peripheral event but central to the revelation he is receiving. It emphasizes the divine origin and the profound nature of the vision, indicating that what is being revealed is of utmost importance and directly from the heart of God's presence. was the form of four living creatures And this was their appearance They had a human form Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet and priest during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel receives visions from God, including the vision of the four living creatures. 2. Four Living Creatures Mysterious beings that appear in Ezekiel's vision, each having a human form but with unique features that symbolize various aspects of God's creation and attributes. 3. Babylon The place of exile for the Israelites, where Ezekiel receives his visions. It represents a place of judgment but also of revelation and hope. 4. The Vision A divine revelation given to Ezekiel, symbolizing God's glory and presence, even in exile. 5. The Exile The historical context of Ezekiel's prophecy, where the Israelites are in Babylon, experiencing God's judgment but also His continued communication and promise of restoration. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and GloryThe vision of the living creatures emphasizes God's supreme authority and majestic presence, reminding us of His control over all creation. Humanity's Role in Creation The human form of the creatures signifies the unique role of humanity in reflecting God's image and participating in His divine purposes. Hope in Exile Even in times of judgment and exile, God reveals His presence and offers hope, encouraging us to trust in His promises during difficult times. Symbolism and Mystery in Scripture The symbolic nature of the vision invites us to explore the depths of God's revelation, encouraging a deeper study and understanding of His Word. Worship and Reverence The vision calls us to respond in worship and reverence to God's holiness and majesty, aligning our lives with His divine will.(5) The likeness of four living creatures next appeared from this centre of the fiery cloud. The word "likeness" is not without significance. The prophet would make it plain that this was a vision, that these were symbolic, not actually existing creatures. Their prominent characteristic is that they were "living." This word is used over and over again in connection with them (see Ezekiel 1:13-15; Ezekiel 1:19; Ezekiel 1:21, &c.); and in fact, in Ezekiel and Revelation (Ezekiel 4:6, &c., where it is mis-translated beasts) it occurs nearly thirty times. The same characteristic is further emphasized in Ezekiel 1:14 by the speed, "as of a flash of lightning," with which they "ran and returned," by the multiplicity of eyes in the wheels connected with them (Ezekiel 1:18), and by their going instantly "whithersoever the spirit was to go" (Ezekiel 1:20); while in Revelation 4:8 it is said that "they rest not day and night." Their life is represented as most closely connected with the source of all life, the "living God," whose throne is seen in the vision (Ezekiel 1:26) as above the heads of these "living creatures," . . . Verse 5. - The likeness of four living creatures. The Authorized Version is happier here in its rendering than in Revelation 4:6, where we find "beasts" applied to the analogues of the forms of Ezekiel's vision. There the Greek gives ζῶα, as the LXX. does here, while in Daniel 7:3-7 we have θήρια In Ezekiel 10:15 they are identified with the "cherubim" of the mercy seat; but the fact that they are not so named here is presumptive evidence that Ezekiel did not at first recognize them as identical with what he had heard of those cherubim, or with the other like forms that were seen, as they were not seen, in the temple (1 Kings 6:29; 1 Kings 7:29), on its walls (2 Chronicles 3:7), and on its veil or curtain (Exodus 36:35). What he sees is, in fact, a highly complicated development of the cherubic symbols, which might well appear strange to him. It is possible (as Dean Stanley and others have suggested) that the Assyrian and Babylonian sculptures, the winged bulls and lions with human heads, which Ezekiel may have seen in his exile, were elements in that development. The likeness of a man. This apparently was the first impression. The "living creatures" were not, like the Assyrian forms just referred to, quadrupeds. They stood erect, and had feet and hands as men have. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew and within itוּמִ֨תּוֹכָ֔הּ (ū·mit·tō·w·ḵāh) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre [was] the form דְּמ֖וּת (də·mūṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 1823: Resemblance, model, shape, like of four אַרְבַּ֣ע (’ar·ba‘) Number - feminine singular Strong's 702: Four living creatures. חַיּ֑וֹת (ḥay·yō·wṯ) Noun - feminine plural Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life And this [was] וְזֶה֙ (wə·zeh) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that their appearance: מַרְאֵֽיהֶ֔ן (mar·’ê·hen) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine plural Strong's 4758: Sight, appearance, vision They had לָהֵֽנָּה׃ (lā·hên·nāh) Preposition-l | Pronoun - third person feminine plural Strong's 2007: Themselves a human אָדָ֖ם (’ā·ḏām) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being form, דְּמ֥וּת (də·mūṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 1823: Resemblance, model, shape, like Links Ezekiel 1:5 NIVEzekiel 1:5 NLT Ezekiel 1:5 ESV Ezekiel 1:5 NASB Ezekiel 1:5 KJV Ezekiel 1:5 BibleApps.com Ezekiel 1:5 Biblia Paralela Ezekiel 1:5 Chinese Bible Ezekiel 1:5 French Bible Ezekiel 1:5 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Ezekiel 1:5 Out of its midst came the likeness (Ezek. Eze Ezk) |
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