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Text -- Ezekiel 1:24 (NET)

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Context
1:24 When they moved, I heard the sound of their wings– it was like the sound of rushing waters, or the voice of the Almighty, or the tumult of an army. When they stood still, they lowered their wings.
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: Voice | LIVING CREATURE | Ezekiel | Cherubim | Anthropomorphisms | Angel | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Keil-Delitzsch , Constable

Other
Critics Ask

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Wesley: Eze 1:24 - -- Thunder.

Thunder.

Wesley: Eze 1:24 - -- The prophet heard the voice in an articulate manner.

The prophet heard the voice in an articulate manner.

Wesley: Eze 1:24 - -- A tumultuous voice of men.

A tumultuous voice of men.

Wesley: Eze 1:24 - -- Having done their office they present themselves before God, waiting for the commands of their Lord.

Having done their office they present themselves before God, waiting for the commands of their Lord.

JFB: Eze 1:24 - -- The thunder (Psa 29:3-4).

The thunder (Psa 29:3-4).

JFB: Eze 1:24 - -- Rather, "the voice" or "sound of tumult," as in Jer 11:16. From an Arabic root, meaning the "impetuous rush of heavy rain."

Rather, "the voice" or "sound of tumult," as in Jer 11:16. From an Arabic root, meaning the "impetuous rush of heavy rain."

JFB: Eze 1:24 - -- (Isa 13:4; Dan 10:6).

Clarke: Eze 1:24 - -- The noise of their wings - When the whirlwind drove the wheels, the wind rustling among the wings was like the noise of many waters; like a waterfal...

The noise of their wings - When the whirlwind drove the wheels, the wind rustling among the wings was like the noise of many waters; like a waterfall, or waters dashing continually against the rocks, or rushing down precipices

Clarke: Eze 1:24 - -- As the voice of the Almighty - Like distant thunder; for this is termed the voice of God Psa 18:13; Exo 9:23, Exo 9:28, Exo 9:29; Exo 20:18.

As the voice of the Almighty - Like distant thunder; for this is termed the voice of God Psa 18:13; Exo 9:23, Exo 9:28, Exo 9:29; Exo 20:18.

Calvin: Eze 1:24 - -- When the Prophet says, he heard the voice of wings, it is an explanation of his former teaching, when he said that the wings followed the course of...

When the Prophet says, he heard the voice of wings, it is an explanation of his former teaching, when he said that the wings followed the course of the living creatures, and stood, unless when they were drawn by the living creatures: this he now expresses more clearly by the word voice We know that, precepts are expressed by the voice, and this is the means of human intercourse, so that he who bears sway proclaims by the voice what he wishes to be done. Since therefore what we have previously said was obscure — that the wheels were moved by the living creatures — therefore the Prophet says there was a voice in the motion of the wings He had said this before, and he now repeats that the living creatures sometimes rested and let fall their wings. When the wings were thus let fall there was no motion in the wheels; but as the wheels obey the motions of the living creatures, he says the wings were vocal; not that the wheels were endued with ears or could hear any commands. But the Prophet could not otherwise express what I have just said: viz., that heaven and earth are full of angelic motion, unless he said that in such motion there was something like a voice, as he said that whatever happens obeys God’s will. But this obedience cannot be conceived unless a voice go before it. Now therefore we see the Prophet weaving his own discourse, and by a new form of speech expressing and confirming what we formerly saw — that the wheels were mowed by the living creatures, because in the wings themselves a voice was heard, he adds, it was as it were a voice many or mighty waters We know that a great noise arises from the overflow of art impetuous river. Nothing is more terrible than its sound, for it is something like a crash which seems to threaten the breaking up of the whole earth, and this vehemence the Prophet now expresses. He adds, a voice of God It will be harsh to explain this of God himself, to whom although the phrase is often attributed, yet we know that it is done metaphorically. But there ought to be some external likeness which may show the Prophet what was not visible of itself. But that cannot suit the phrase, “the voice of God,” unless we understand it as in Psa 29:5 , concerning thunder: the voice of God shakes the cedars and the mountains, and makes the animals miscarry in the woods. Here David calls thunder the voice of God, but I know not whether this metaphor is suitable to the present place. Nor yet if we could take the word of God in another sense, could it mean anything but thunder. Others translate שדי , shedi, brave or violent, which suits tolerably well, unless a general form of speech is not sufficiently fitted to this place. For those images of things ought to be set before the mind of the Prophet that tend to raise it upwards. Besides, if he had said simply the voice of a strong or violent man, it would imply but little, so I dare not reject the meaning — thunder; and if this exposition is unsatisfactory to any one, yet the meaning will still be a loud and terrific voice, because Scripture calls cedars and mountains, cedars and mountains of God, on account of their superior excellence. (Psa 80:11; Psa 36:6.)

He says, when they walked, because there was no other motion, for he said that the wings of the animals were let fall while they stood. Then it was not necessary for earthly things to be agitated, unless when the inspiration goes forward in the living creatures, that is the angels. He adds, the voice of speech Here Ezekiel proceeds further, asserting the voice to be articulate. True, inanimate things cannot hear a voice, but as I have said, he wished to represent the obedience in the wheels to be such as if they had been taught, and God had eloquently and articulately commanded what he wished to be done; or as if the wheels had spoken intelligibly, so that the wheels might not afterwards roll round rashly, but in accordance with a received command. He says, as it were the voice of armies And the simile is to be diligently noticed, because in an army, in consequence of the multitude, one can scarcely notice another with the view of promoting union, and yet military discipline requires this. 51 Therefore, in camps there is great clamor and confusion, yet each accommodates himself to others, and so order is preserved. The Prophet therefore signifies, that although infinitely numerous events meet together, yet nothing is left without guidance, because God governs all earthly motions with much better skill than a general, though endued with singular foresight, rules his army. We see therefore what the Spirit intends by this part of the vision, when he compares the things that are carried on in the world to mighty forces; for he says that such reason was displayed among this multitude, that although their clamors are tumultuous, yet all things are mutually suited to each other. Again he says, when they stood they let down their wings This question may be asked, how can the living creatures rest when God is always at work: as also Christ says, My Father and I work even to this day? (Joh 5:17.) Since therefore the power of God is never at rest, what can the resting of the living creatures mean? for God works by angels as we have seen: if they rest, God has his periods of repose, which is absurd. But when the Prophet says they rested, he wishes to mark the variety of human events. For sometimes they are so tranquil, that we think God is taking some repose, and is completely at rest in heaven: not that he ever ceases, but because we do not perceive the agitations, which plainly show his virtue to consist in motion and in action. Therefore the Prophet here wishes only to denote variety; not that we ought to imagine God to rest at any time or his angels to repose, but because he does not always work in the same equable manner.

TSK: Eze 1:24 - -- like : Eze 43:2; Rev 1:15, Rev 19:6 as the voice : Eze 10:5; Job 37:2, Job 37:4, Job 37:5; Psa 18:13, Psa 29:3-9, Psa 68:33 as the noise : Dan 10:6; 2...

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Eze 1:24 - -- The voice of the Almighty - Thunder. The voice of speech - Rendered in Jer 11:16 "a great tumult."Some take it to describe the rushing of...

The voice of the Almighty - Thunder.

The voice of speech - Rendered in Jer 11:16 "a great tumult."Some take it to describe the rushing of a storm.

Poole: Eze 1:24 - -- And when they went so soon and as often as they, i.e. the living creatures, moved, were on their work, executing God’ s commands. I heard and ...

And when they went so soon and as often as they, i.e. the living creatures, moved, were on their work, executing God’ s commands.

I heard and attended to know what it was.

The noise of their wings: though some of God’ s judgments are executed with silence, and are in the dark, yet here is an alarm, and they may be heard.

Like the noise of great waters: when the sea rageth and swells as though it would overwhelm the earth, so when the just and dreadful judgments of God are executed, they threaten the overflowing of all.

As the voice of the Almighty thunder, called God’ s voice, Psa 29:3 . The voice of speech ; the prophet heard the voice in an articulate manner declaring the will of God, as if the wings had tongues to speak as well as power to fly.

As the noise of an host: this voice was not of friends saluting each other, or comforting, but it was the voice and noise of a host, a tumultuous voice of men, a confused noise of warlike weapons and instruments; some suppose it is meant of the army of the Chaldeans, which those winged living creatures had now fetched in to spoil the Jews, which they did with terrible outcries, as enraged, merciless adversaries use to do.

When they stood, they let down their wings having done their office, they present themselves before God, and let down their wings, not out of weariness, but out of a sense that they must never act but by commission. And now with wings let down and covering their bodies, they do humbly watch as servants for the commands of their lord.

Haydock: Eze 1:24 - -- Voice. The motion of the wings made a noise like a torrent, or thunder. --- God. Hebrew, "self-sufficient," as Septuagint, &c., render it, Greek...

Voice. The motion of the wings made a noise like a torrent, or thunder. ---

God. Hebrew, "self-sufficient," as Septuagint, &c., render it, Greek ikanou. (Calmet) ---

Protestants, "like the voice of the Almighty." (Haydock) ---

Down; or rather ceased to make such a noise, ver. 25. (Calmet)

Gill: Eze 1:24 - -- And when they went,.... In their ministrations, preaching the Gospel, and administering ordinances: I heard the noise of their wings, like the nois...

And when they went,.... In their ministrations, preaching the Gospel, and administering ordinances:

I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters: so the voice of Christ, which is no other than his Gospel preached by his ministers, is said to be as the sound of many waters, Rev 1:15; which is heard a great way off, as the Gospel ministry is, even to the ends of the earth; thither the sound of the apostles' words reached, Rom 10:18; and which, as they move with great force, yield a pleasant sound of and may denote both the energy of the word, and the delightfulness of it:

as the voice of the Almighty; the Gospel being the word of God, and not of man; which is quick and powerful, and full of majesty, and works effectually in them that believe:

the voice of speech; an articulate voice, a human one, pronounced by men, whom God employs to deliver out his mind and will:

as the noise of an host; the church being militant, to whom they minister; so that their voice, in their ministry, is sometimes reproving, convincing, confuting, contending, and disputing, as well as teaching and instructing. The Targum is,

"and the voice of their words, when they confess and bless the Lord, the living everlasting King, is as the voice of the host of angels on high:''

when they stood, they let down their wings; those two with which they flew, and with them covered their faces, or some part of their bodies, as ashamed of their own unworthiness and imperfections; or this may denote their having done their work, and finished their course.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Eze 1:24 The only other occurrence of the Hebrew word translated “tumult” is in Jer 11:16. It indicates a noise like that of the turmoil of a milit...

Geneva Bible: Eze 1:24 And when they went, I heard the noise of their ( l ) wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the ...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Eze 1:1-28 - --1 The time of Ezekiel's prophecy at Chebar.4 His vision of four cherubims;15 of the four wheels;26 and of the glory of God.

MHCC: Eze 1:15-25 - --Providence, represented by the wheels, produces changes. Sometimes one spoke of the wheel is uppermost, sometimes another; but the motion of the wheel...

Matthew Henry: Eze 1:15-25 - -- The prophet is very exact in making and recording his observations concerning this vision. And here we have, I. The notice he took of the wheels, ...

Keil-Delitzsch: Eze 1:4-28 - -- Description of the theophany seen by the spirit of the prophet. - Eze 1:4. And I saw, and, lo, a tempestuous wind came from the north, a great clou...

Keil-Delitzsch: Eze 1:22-28 - -- The throne of Jehovah. - Eze 1:22. And over the heads of the creature there appeared an expanse like the appearance of the terrible crystal, stretc...

Constable: Eze 1:1--3:27 - --I. Ezekiel's calling and commission chs. 1--3 Four elements that mark the commission narratives in the prophets ...

Constable: Eze 1:1-28 - --A. The vision of God's glory ch. 1 "In chapter 1 God has brought together in one vision the essence of a...

Constable: Eze 1:4-28 - --2. The vision proper 1:4-28 Ezekiel saw three things in this vision: living beings (vv. 4-14), w...

Constable: Eze 1:22-28 - --The expanse 1:22-28 1:22 Ezekiel also saw something like a clear expanse (Heb. raqia', firmament, Gen. 1:6; Ps. 19:1; 150:1; Dan. 12:3) of ice (Heb. q...

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Commentary -- Other

Critics Ask: Eze 1:24 EZEKIEL 1:5-28 —Is this a manifestation of UFOs and extraterrestrial intelligence? PROBLEM: Ezekiel speaks here of “living creatures” whose...

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Introduction / Outline

JFB: Ezekiel (Book Introduction) The name Ezekiel means "(whom) God will strengthen" [GESENIUS]; or, "God will prevail" [ROSENMULLER]. His father was Buzi (Eze 1:3), a priest, and he ...

JFB: Ezekiel (Outline) EZEKIEL'S VISION BY THE CHEBAR. FOUR CHERUBIM AND WHEELS. (Eze. 1:1-28) EZEKIEL'S COMMISSION. (Eze 2:1-10) EZEKIEL EATS THE ROLL. IS COMMISSIONED TO ...

TSK: Ezekiel (Book Introduction) The character of Ezekiel, as a Writer and Poet, is thus admirably drawn by the masterly hand of Bishop Lowth: " Ezekiel is much inferior to Jeremiah ...

TSK: Ezekiel 1 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Eze 1:1, The time of Ezekiel’s prophecy at Chebar; Eze 1:4, His vision of four cherubims; Eze 1:15, of the four wheels; Eze 1:26, and o...

Poole: Ezekiel (Book Introduction) BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL THE ARGUMENT EZEKIEL was by descent a priest, and by commission a prophet, and received it from heaven, as will appea...

Poole: Ezekiel 1 (Chapter Introduction) EZEKIEL CHAPTER 1 The time of Ezekiel’ s prophecy by the river Chebar, Eze 1:1-3 . His vision of four cherubims, and four wheels, Eze 1:4-25 ,...

MHCC: Ezekiel (Book Introduction) Ezekiel was one of the priests; he was carried captive to Chaldea with Jehoiachin. All his prophecies appear to have been delivered in that country, a...

MHCC: Ezekiel 1 (Chapter Introduction) (Eze 1:1-14) Ezekiel's vision of God, and of the angelic host. (Eze 1:15-25) The conduct of Divine Providence. (Eze 1:26-28) A revelation of the Son...

Matthew Henry: Ezekiel (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Book of the Prophet Ezekiel When we entered upon the writings of the prophets, which speak of the ...

Matthew Henry: Ezekiel 1 (Chapter Introduction) In this chapter we have, I. The common circumstances of the prophecy now to be delivered, the time when it was delivered (Eze 1:1), the place wher...

Constable: Ezekiel (Book Introduction) Introduction Title and Writer The title of this book comes from its writer, Ezekiel, t...

Constable: Ezekiel (Outline) Outline I. Ezekiel's calling and commission chs. 1-3 A. The vision of God's glory ch. 1 ...

Constable: Ezekiel Ezekiel Bibliography Ackroyd, Peter R. Exile and Restoration. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1968. ...

Haydock: Ezekiel (Book Introduction) THE PROPHECY OF EZECHIEL. INTRODUCTION. Ezechiel, whose name signifies the strength of God, was of the priestly race, and of the number of t...

Gill: Ezekiel (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL This book is rightly placed after Jeremiah; since Ezekiel was among the captives in Chaldea, when prophesied; whereas Jerem...

Gill: Ezekiel 1 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 1 This chapter contains a vision, which is the introduction to the prophet's call and commission to perform his office; in ...

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