Ezekiel 1:13
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.
Original Language Analysis
וּדְמ֨וּת
As for the likeness
H1823
וּדְמ֨וּת
As for the likeness
Strong's:
H1823
Word #:
1 of 18
resemblance; concretely, model, shape; adverbially, like
הַחַיּ֑וֹת
among the living creatures
H2416
הַחַיּ֑וֹת
among the living creatures
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
2 of 18
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
כְּמַרְאֵ֣ה
and like the appearance
H4758
כְּמַרְאֵ֣ה
and like the appearance
Strong's:
H4758
Word #:
3 of 18
a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),
כְּמַרְאֵ֣ה
and like the appearance
H4758
כְּמַרְאֵ֣ה
and like the appearance
Strong's:
H4758
Word #:
7 of 18
a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),
הִ֕יא
H1931
הִ֕יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
9 of 18
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
מִתְהַלֶּ֖כֶת
it went up and down
H1980
מִתְהַלֶּ֖כֶת
it went up and down
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
10 of 18
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
בֵּ֣ין
H996
בֵּ֣ין
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
11 of 18
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
הַחַיּ֑וֹת
among the living creatures
H2416
הַחַיּ֑וֹת
among the living creatures
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
12 of 18
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
וּמִן
H4480
וּמִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
15 of 18
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
Cross References
Revelation 4:5And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.Psalms 104:4Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:Revelation 10:1And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:Revelation 18:1And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.Matthew 28:3His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:Genesis 15:17And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.Ezekiel 1:7And 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.
Historical Context
Fire held central importance in ancient Near Eastern religion and Israel's worship—the burning bush, pillar of fire, altar of burnt offering, Sinai's flames. Ezekiel's exile audience, far from Jerusalem's temple, needed assurance that God's presence wasn't confined to geographical location. The mobile throne-chariot demonstrated God's transcendent mobility—He was with them in Babylon.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the fire imagery remind us of God's consuming holiness and our need for reverence in worship?
- What comfort does God's mobile throne provide when we feel separated from traditional places of worship?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The living creatures' appearance 'like burning coals of fire' and 'like the appearance of lamps' represents the consuming holiness of God's presence. Fire throughout Scripture symbolizes divine glory, purification, and judgment (Exod. 3:2; Heb. 12:29). The fire 'going up and down among the living creatures' shows divine energy animating God's servants. Brightness and lightning suggest awesome power and swift execution of God's will. This vision overwhelms human categories, pointing to divine transcendence.