Ezekiel 1:19
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.
Original Language Analysis
וּבְלֶ֙כֶת֙
H1980
וּבְלֶ֙כֶת֙
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
1 of 11
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
הַֽחַיּוֹת֙
And when the living creatures
H2416
הַֽחַיּוֹת֙
And when the living creatures
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
2 of 11
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
יֵלְכ֥וּ
H1980
יֵלְכ֥וּ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
3 of 11
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
יִנָּשְׂא֖וּ
were lifted up
H5375
יִנָּשְׂא֖וּ
were lifted up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
6 of 11
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
הַֽחַיּוֹת֙
And when the living creatures
H2416
הַֽחַיּוֹת֙
And when the living creatures
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
7 of 11
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
מֵעַ֣ל
H5921
מֵעַ֣ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 11
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Historical Context
The coordinated movement contrasts with pagan mythology's competing divine wills causing cosmic conflict. Yahweh's throne operates with perfect internal harmony—His decrees and their execution are unified. This vision came during Babylon's apparent triumph over Judah, yet demonstrates that earthly kingdoms cannot hinder God's sovereign purposes. The lifting up suggests transcendence over earthly limitations.
Questions for Reflection
- What assurance does the perfect synchronization between creatures and wheels give us regarding God's promises being fulfilled?
- How does this unified motion challenge our tendency to separate God's will from His power to accomplish it?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The synchronized movement—'when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them'—demonstrates perfect coordination between God's purposes and their execution. The creatures (representing divine will) and wheels (representing sovereign action) move in unified motion. This pictures the seamless integration of God's decrees and their fulfillment. No gap exists between divine intention and accomplishment. The lifting up of wheels with creatures shows that divine purposes transcend earthly limitations.