Ezekiel 1:18
As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four.
Original Language Analysis
וְגַבֹּתָ֗ם
As for their rings
H1354
וְגַבֹּתָ֗ם
As for their rings
Strong's:
H1354
Word #:
1 of 10
the back (as rounded); by analogy, the top or rim, a boss, a vault, arch of eye, bulwarks, etc
וְיִרְאָ֣ה
that they were dreadful
H3374
וְיִרְאָ֣ה
that they were dreadful
Strong's:
H3374
Word #:
4 of 10
fear (also used as infinitive); morally, reverence
וְגַבֹּתָ֗ם
As for their rings
H1354
וְגַבֹּתָ֗ם
As for their rings
Strong's:
H1354
Word #:
6 of 10
the back (as rounded); by analogy, the top or rim, a boss, a vault, arch of eye, bulwarks, etc
מְלֵאֹ֥ת
were full
H4392
מְלֵאֹ֥ת
were full
Strong's:
H4392
Word #:
7 of 10
full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness; adverbially, fully
עֵינַ֛יִם
of eyes
H5869
עֵינַ֛יִם
of eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
8 of 10
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
Cross References
Ezekiel 10:12And their whole body, and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes round about, even the wheels that they four had.Revelation 4:8And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.Revelation 4:6And 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.Isaiah 55:9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.Proverbs 15:3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.Zechariah 4:10For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
Historical Context
The vision (593 BC) assured exiles that God remained aware of their circumstances despite geographical distance from Jerusalem. The eyes represent divine omniscience penetrating even Babylonian captivity. Ancient creation myths featured blind fate or distant deities unconcerned with human affairs. Ezekiel's vision refutes this: God actively observes and governs all events. This sustained Jewish faith through persecution and exile, demonstrating that suffering doesn't equal divine abandonment or ignorance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's comprehensive knowledge comfort you in difficult circumstances?
- What difference would it make to live constantly aware of God's observant eyes?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
"As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four." The wheels full of eyes represent comprehensive divine knowledge—nothing escapes God's sight. The adjective "dreadful" (Hebrew yare, יָרֵא) means inspiring awe and fear. God's omniscience is terrifying to the guilty but comforting to the faithful. The eyes symbolize God's providential oversight: He sees all, knows all, controls all. This guards against practical deism that acknowledges God's existence but denies His active involvement in history.