Ezekiel Chapter 1 · Verse 22
And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.
Original Language Analysis
וּדְמ֞וּת
And the likeness
H1823
וּדְמ֞וּת
And the likeness
Strong's:
H1823
Word #:
1 of 12
resemblance; concretely, model, shape; adverbially, like
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רָאשֵׁיהֶ֖ם
over their heads
H7218
רָאשֵׁיהֶ֖ם
over their heads
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
3 of 12
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
הַחַיָּה֙
of the living creature
H2416
הַחַיָּה֙
of the living creature
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
4 of 12
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
רָקִ֔יעַ
of the firmament
H7549
רָקִ֔יעַ
of the firmament
Strong's:
H7549
Word #:
5 of 12
properly, an expanse, i.e., the firmament or (apparently) visible arch of the sky
כְּעֵ֖ין
was as the colour
H5869
כְּעֵ֖ין
was as the colour
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
6 of 12
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
הַקֶּ֣רַח
crystal
H7140
הַקֶּ֣רַח
crystal
Strong's:
H7140
Word #:
7 of 12
ice (as if bald, i.e., smooth); hence, hail; by resemblance, rock crystal
הַנּוֹרָ֑א
of the terrible
H3372
הַנּוֹרָ֑א
of the terrible
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
8 of 12
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
נָט֥וּי
stretched forth
H5186
נָט֥וּי
stretched forth
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
9 of 12
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Ezekiel 10:1Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.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.Ezekiel 1:26And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern cosmology viewed the sky as a solid dome separating earthly and heavenly waters. Ezekiel employs this phenomenological language not to endorse ancient science but to communicate theological truth about God's transcendent throne room. The vision occurred during Babylonian captivity when exiles might doubt God's power compared to Marduk and Babylonian gods. Ezekiel's vision asserts Yahweh's supremacy: His throne transcends all earthly and cosmic powers, and His glory exceeds all pagan deities.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the connection between creation and God's throne challenge naturalistic worldviews?
- What does the "terrible crystal" teach us about appropriate reverence when approaching God?
Analysis & Commentary
The "firmament" (Hebrew raqia, רָקִיעַ) above the cherubim evokes Genesis 1:6-8, connecting creation with God's throne room. The "terrible crystal" conveys awesome, fearful beauty—transparent yet solid, revealing yet separating. This imagery teaches that creation itself reflects God's throne design; the visible cosmos mirrors invisible realities. The Reformed emphasis on God's covenant lordship over creation finds expression here: earth's order derives from heaven's throne, and nature's laws flow from God's character. The terrifying beauty warns against casual familiarity with the Holy One.