Ezekiel 3:13
I heard also the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels over against them, and a noise of a great rushing.
Original Language Analysis
כַּנְפֵ֣י
of the wings
H3671
כַּנְפֵ֣י
of the wings
Strong's:
H3671
Word #:
2 of 13
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
הַחַיּ֗וֹת
of the living creatures
H2416
הַחַיּ֗וֹת
of the living creatures
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
3 of 13
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
מַשִּׁיקוֹת֙
that touched
H5401
מַשִּׁיקוֹת֙
that touched
Strong's:
H5401
Word #:
4 of 13
to kiss, literally or figuratively (touch); also (as a mode of attachment), to equip with weapons
אֲחוֹתָ֔הּ
another
H269
אֲחוֹתָ֔הּ
another
Strong's:
H269
Word #:
7 of 13
a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)
לְעֻמָּתָ֑ם
over against
H5980
לְעֻמָּתָ֑ם
over against
Strong's:
H5980
Word #:
10 of 13
conjunction, i.e., society; mostly adverb or preposition (with prepositional prefix), near, beside, along with
Cross References
Ezekiel 1:24And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings.Ezekiel 10:5And the sound of the cherubims' wings was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of the Almighty God when he speaketh.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern theophanies often included overwhelming sensory experiences—Moses' burning bush crackled, Sinai thundered and smoked, Isaiah's temple shook. Ezekiel's vision continues this pattern: divine revelation overwhelms human senses, demanding total attention. The exile context meant this vision came far from Jerusalem's temple, yet manifested the same overwhelming glory.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the auditory dimension of this vision remind us that worship engages our entire being, not merely intellectual assent?
- What does creation's noise in God's presence teach us about all reality testifying to divine glory?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The 'noise of the wings of the living creatures' touching each other creates an overwhelming auditory experience accompanying the visual glory. Wings touching in worship and coordinated motion produces sound testifying to God's presence. The description emphasizes the sensory totality of encountering divine glory—not merely visual, but auditory. Creation itself makes noise in worship, setting the pattern for human praise.