Ezekiel Chapter 1 · Verse 20
Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
Original Language Analysis
עַ֣ל
H5921
עַ֣ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
1 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֲשֶׁר֩
H834
אֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִֽהְיֶה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
3 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
שָּׁ֨ם
H8033
ר֥וּחַ
Whithersoever the spirit
H7307
ר֥וּחַ
Whithersoever the spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
5 of 17
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
לָלֶ֙כֶת֙
H1980
לָלֶ֙כֶת֙
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
6 of 17
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
יֵלֵ֔כוּ
H1980
יֵלֵ֔כוּ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
7 of 17
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
שָׁ֥מָּה
H8033
שָׁ֥מָּה
Strong's:
H8033
Word #:
8 of 17
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
ר֥וּחַ
Whithersoever the spirit
H7307
ר֥וּחַ
Whithersoever the spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
9 of 17
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
לָלֶ֑כֶת
H1980
לָלֶ֑כֶת
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
10 of 17
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
יִנָּשְׂאוּ֙
were lifted up
H5375
יִנָּשְׂאוּ֙
were lifted up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
12 of 17
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
לְעֻמָּתָ֔ם
over against
H5980
לְעֻמָּתָ֔ם
over against
Strong's:
H5980
Word #:
13 of 17
conjunction, i.e., society; mostly adverb or preposition (with prepositional prefix), near, beside, along with
כִּ֛י
H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
14 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
ר֥וּחַ
Whithersoever the spirit
H7307
ר֥וּחַ
Whithersoever the spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
15 of 17
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
Cross References
Historical Context
The vision (593 BC) depicted God's mobile throne moving wherever the Spirit directed. This assured exiles that God remained sovereign and active despite geographical distance from Jerusalem. The perfect coordination symbolizes heavenly worship and service operating in complete harmony with divine purposes. Early church fathers saw this as depicting the church moving in coordinated obedience to the Spirit. The imagery challenges disorganized, individualistic Christianity that ignores corporate unity under Spirit-direction.
Questions for Reflection
- How does perfect coordination with the Spirit challenge individualistic spirituality?
- What does the Spirit being in the wheels teach about internal motivation versus external compliance?
Analysis & Commentary
"Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels." The perfect coordination between cherubim and wheels demonstrates unified obedience to the Spirit. The phrase "the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels" indicates internal animation, not external compulsion. This models Spirit-led living: believers moving in harmony with God's will through internal transformation, not external coercion. The Reformed emphasis on Spirit-wrought sanctification appears—genuine obedience flows from renewed hearts.