Ezekiel 1:27
And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.
Original Language Analysis
רָאִ֙יתִי֙
And I saw
H7200
רָאִ֙יתִי֙
And I saw
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
1 of 20
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
כְּעֵ֣ין
as the colour
H5869
כְּעֵ֣ין
as the colour
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
2 of 20
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
כְּמַרְאֵה
and from the appearance
H4758
כְּמַרְאֵה
and from the appearance
Strong's:
H4758
Word #:
4 of 20
a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),
בֵּֽית
within
H1004
בֵּֽית
within
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
6 of 20
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
סָבִֽיב׃
round about
H5439
סָבִֽיב׃
round about
Strong's:
H5439
Word #:
8 of 20
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
כְּמַרְאֵה
and from the appearance
H4758
כְּמַרְאֵה
and from the appearance
Strong's:
H4758
Word #:
9 of 20
a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),
מָתְנָיו֙
of his loins
H4975
מָתְנָיו֙
of his loins
Strong's:
H4975
Word #:
10 of 20
properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins
וּלְמָ֑עְלָה
even upward
H4605
וּלְמָ֑עְלָה
even upward
Strong's:
H4605
Word #:
11 of 20
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
כְּמַרְאֵה
and from the appearance
H4758
כְּמַרְאֵה
and from the appearance
Strong's:
H4758
Word #:
12 of 20
a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),
מָתְנָיו֙
of his loins
H4975
מָתְנָיו֙
of his loins
Strong's:
H4975
Word #:
13 of 20
properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins
וּלְמַ֔טָּה
even downward
H4295
וּלְמַ֔טָּה
even downward
Strong's:
H4295
Word #:
14 of 20
downward, below or beneath; often adverbially with or without prefixes
רָאִ֙יתִי֙
And I saw
H7200
רָאִ֙יתִי֙
And I saw
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
15 of 20
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
כְּמַרְאֵה
and from the appearance
H4758
כְּמַרְאֵה
and from the appearance
Strong's:
H4758
Word #:
16 of 20
a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),
Cross References
Ezekiel 1:4And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.Ezekiel 8:2Then I beheld, and lo a likeness as the appearance of fire: from the appearance of his loins even downward, fire; and from his loins even upward, as the appearance of brightness, as the colour of amber.Hebrews 12:29For our God is a consuming fire.Psalms 97:2Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.Psalms 50:3Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.Deuteronomy 4:24For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.2 Thessalonians 1:8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Historical Context
Electrum, a naturally occurring gold-silver alloy, was highly prized in ancient metallurgy for its beauty and rarity. The combination of amber and fire creates a brilliant, terrible appearance beyond natural experience. Ezekiel's description attempts to communicate transcendent reality through earthly metaphors. Ancient Near Eastern divine appearances typically involved fire, but Yahweh's glory surpasses all pagan theophanies.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the fire surrounding God's appearance remind us that His holiness makes casual approach impossible?
- What does the precious metal imagery teach us about the infinite value and beauty of God's glory?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The 'colour of amber' (Hebrew: chashmal, possibly electrum—gold-silver alloy) and 'appearance of fire' surrounding the divine figure emphasizes glory and holiness. Fire throughout Scripture represents God's consuming holiness (Heb. 12:29), while amber/electrum suggests refined preciousness. The brightness 'round about' indicates God's glory radiating in all directions—nothing escapes His presence. This theophany reveals that approaching God requires reverence; His holiness consumes all impurity.