And 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.
This verse introduces the theophany with apocalyptic imagery conveying both terror and majesty. The 'whirlwind from the north' (ruach se'arah min hatsafon) carries double meaning: meteorologically, storms in Israel typically came from the north via the Mediterranean; symbolically, Babylon lay north of Judah, and judgment came from that direction. The 'great cloud' and 'fire infolding itself' (esh mitlaqqachat) describe fire folding back upon itself in continuous motion, depicting divine energy and holiness. The Hebrew phrase suggests fire catching and flashing within the cloud, creating an awesome display. The 'brightness' (nogah) and 'amber' (chashmal)—possibly electrum, a gold-silver alloy—emphasize the glory's radiance and preciousness. This theophany echoes Sinai's manifestation (Exodus 19:16-18) while surpassing it in complexity and detail, revealing that the covenant God who appeared to Moses now appears to the exiles.
Historical Context
Ezekiel's vision draws on ancient Near Eastern throne-theophany traditions while remaining distinctly Yahwistic. Mesopotamian art depicted deities with animal attendants and storm imagery, but Ezekiel's vision transcends pagan mythology by emphasizing the incomparability and transcendence of Israel's God. The exiles, surrounded by Babylonian temples with their elaborate iconography of Marduk and other deities, needed reassurance that Yahweh remained supreme. The vision's complexity and strangeness defied artistic representation, deliberately preventing idolatrous reproduction while overwhelming the imagination with divine glory.
Questions for Reflection
How does the terrifying aspect of God's glory challenge contemporary tendencies to domesticate God into a comfortable deity?
What does the 'fire infolding itself' suggest about God's inexhaustible, self-sustaining holiness?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse introduces the theophany with apocalyptic imagery conveying both terror and majesty. The 'whirlwind from the north' (ruach se'arah min hatsafon) carries double meaning: meteorologically, storms in Israel typically came from the north via the Mediterranean; symbolically, Babylon lay north of Judah, and judgment came from that direction. The 'great cloud' and 'fire infolding itself' (esh mitlaqqachat) describe fire folding back upon itself in continuous motion, depicting divine energy and holiness. The Hebrew phrase suggests fire catching and flashing within the cloud, creating an awesome display. The 'brightness' (nogah) and 'amber' (chashmal)—possibly electrum, a gold-silver alloy—emphasize the glory's radiance and preciousness. This theophany echoes Sinai's manifestation (Exodus 19:16-18) while surpassing it in complexity and detail, revealing that the covenant God who appeared to Moses now appears to the exiles.