As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four.
Read it in contextThe Four Wheels
Start reading at Ezekiel 1:15 (Ezekiel 1:15 to Ezekiel 1:21).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The opening vision and commission establish Ezekiel's task among the exiles and his responsibility to speak the LORD's words.
1:15Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces.
1:16The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel.
1:17When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went.
1:18As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four.
1:19And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up.
1:20Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
1:21When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Ezekiel son of Buzi, a priest and prophet among the exiles, is the named prophetic voice and traditional author. Biblical references: Ezekiel 1:1; Ezekiel 1:3. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Ezekiel 1:1–3:27): Ezekiel receives the vision and commission among the exiles; the house of Israel is the people to whom he is sent. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? The house of Israel, with Ezekiel speaking especially among the Judean exiles in Babylonia. Some visions concern people in Jerusalem or other nations rather than people physically present with him. Biblical references: Ezekiel 3:11; Ezekiel 8:1; Ezekiel 24:21. stated in the text
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? The Four Wheels. Read Ezekiel 1:15 through Ezekiel 1:21 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? The opening vision and commission establish Ezekiel's task among the exiles and his responsibility to speak the LORD's words. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The book repeatedly dates visions by years of captivity. Events pictured in a vision, the time of receiving it, and the time of later fulfillment should be distinguished. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? Ezekiel is among the exiles by the river Chebar. Visions carry him to other scenes, including Jerusalem; visionary location is not automatically ordinary physical travel. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in The Four Wheels (Ezekiel 1:15 to Ezekiel 1:21).
Start reading at Ezekiel 1:15. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The shepherd promise can be read alongside Jesus' teaching about the good shepherd. The connection should retain Ezekiel's concern for the scattered flock and the failure of Israel's shepherds. See Ezekiel 34:11, Ezekiel 34:23, John 10:11. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Take warnings about personal responsibility and corrupt leadership seriously. When interpreting symbolic acts or visions, begin with the explanations supplied within the book. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Ezekiel 1
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Ezekiel locates his ministry among the exiles and dates many visions by years of captivity. Symbolic acts and visions require attention to their stated explanations; a modern identification is not supplied merely by the presence of a symbol. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The opening vision and commission establish Ezekiel's task among the exiles and his responsibility to speak the LORD's words.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The opening vision and commission establish Ezekiel's task among the exiles and his responsibility to speak the LORD's words.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Ezekiel
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Ezekiel locates his ministry among the exiles and dates many visions by years of captivity. Symbolic acts and visions require attention to their stated explanations; a modern identification is not supplied merely by the presence of a symbol.
Connection to the wholeThe final vision describes the temple, worship, life-giving waters, and the land. Its interpretation should be distinguished from what the vision itself depicts.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.