Ezekiel 1:11
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.
Original Language Analysis
וּפְנֵיהֶ֕ם
Thus were their faces
H6440
וּפְנֵיהֶ֕ם
Thus were their faces
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
1 of 12
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וְכַנְפֵיהֶ֥ם
and their wings
H3671
וְכַנְפֵיהֶ֥ם
and their wings
Strong's:
H3671
Word #:
2 of 12
an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna
פְּרֻד֖וֹת
were stretched
H6504
פְּרֻד֖וֹת
were stretched
Strong's:
H6504
Word #:
3 of 12
to break through, i.e., spread or separate (oneself)
מִלְמָ֑עְלָה
upward
H4605
מִלְמָ֑עְלָה
upward
Strong's:
H4605
Word #:
4 of 12
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
אִ֔ישׁ
one
H376
אִ֔ישׁ
one
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
5 of 12
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
חֹבְר֣וֹת
were joined
H2266
חֹבְר֣וֹת
were joined
Strong's:
H2266
Word #:
7 of 12
to join (literally or figuratively); specifically (by means of spells) to fascinate
אִ֔ישׁ
one
H376
אִ֔ישׁ
one
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
8 of 12
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
מְכַסּ֔וֹת
covered
H3680
מְכַסּ֔וֹת
covered
Strong's:
H3680
Word #:
10 of 12
properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
Cross References
Isaiah 6:2Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.Ezekiel 1:23And 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.
Historical Context
The four-faced cherubim description parallels Isaiah's seraphim (Isa. 6:2) and John's living creatures (Rev. 4:6-8), suggesting a consistent angelic order surrounding God's throne. The wing configuration—two up, two covering—appears across multiple prophetic visions, indicating this is standard heavenly protocol. Ancient temple iconography reflected this, with cherubim decorating the ark of the covenant.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the cherubim's posture of worship—wings upward, bodies covered—teach us about approaching God with reverence?
- How does the communal touching of wings challenge modern individualistic approaches to worship?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Wings 'stretched upward' toward God demonstrate perpetual worship and readiness for divine commands. Two wings touching another cherub shows interconnectedness of worship—God's servants minister in community, not isolation. Two wings covering their bodies (cf. Isa. 6:2) represents humility and reverence before God's holiness. Even sinless beings cover themselves, acknowledging the gulf between creature and Creator. This models proper worship: community, reverence, and readiness.