Ezekiel 1:8
And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings.
Original Language Analysis
וִידֵ֣ו
And they had the hands
H3027
וִידֵ֣ו
And they had the hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
1 of 10
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
אָדָ֗ם
of a man
H120
אָדָ֗ם
of a man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
2 of 10
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
מִתַּ֙חַת֙
H8478
מִתַּ֙חַת֙
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
3 of 10
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
וְכַנְפֵיהֶ֖ם
and their wings
H3671
וְכַנְפֵיהֶ֖ם
and their wings
Strong's:
H3671
Word #:
4 of 10
an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna
עַ֖ל
H5921
עַ֖ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וּפְנֵיהֶ֥ם
had their faces
H6440
וּפְנֵיהֶ֥ם
had their faces
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
8 of 10
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern religious art often depicted winged beings, but typically without human-like hands. Ezekiel's vision transforms these motifs: the hands suggest personal agency unlike mechanical pagan idols. The 'four sides' motif recurs in Ezekiel's vision, representing universal scope. This vision came to exiles who needed assurance of God's sovereign presence even in Babylon.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the combination of wings (speed) and hands (skill) teach us about how God's servants should balance urgency and competence?
- How does the omnidirectional capacity of the cherubim comfort us regarding God's comprehensive care and sovereignty?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The cherubim having 'hands of a man under their wings' reveals capacity for purposeful work directed by intelligence. Hands represent agency and action; wings represent swift obedience. The combination shows heavenly beings serve God with both rapid response and skillful execution. The hands being 'on their four sides' indicates omnidirectional capability—nothing in God's service escapes their reach. This pictures the comprehensive nature of divine providence working through angelic ministry.