Ezekiel 1:18 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 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, Ezek. 1:15-21. The glory of God appears not only in the splendour of his retinue in the upper world, but in the steadiness of his government here in this lower world. Having seen how God does according to his will in the armies of heaven, let us now see how he does according to it among the inhabitants of the earth; for there, on the earth, the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 1:18

As for their rings, they were so high, that they were dreadful ,.... The circles and circumferences of them were "high": which may denote the visibility and extensiveness of the churches of Christ, especially in the latter day; when they shall be exalted above the mountains and hills, the kingdoms and states of this world; and there shall be such numerous additions to them, that the place will be too strait for the members of them to dwell in, Isaiah 2:2 ; and "they were dreadful";... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 1:18

As for their rings - The strakes which form the rim or periphery. They were dreadful - They were exceedingly great in their diameter, so that it was tremendous to look from the part that touched the ground to that which was opposite above. Were full of eyes - Does not this refer to the appearance of nails keeping on the spokes, or strakes or bands upon the rim? read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 1:18

Verse 18 What he says about the circumferences of the wheels may seem superfluous, but he refers to the second clause of the verse, where he says, that these circumferences were full of eyes. Here, then, he now treats about their height and terrible aspect. It signifies that the wheels were large, for being round their length and breadth is equal. When he says they were lofty, he, doubtless, signifies that they inspire terror by their very appearance, as he afterwards expresses it.. The sum of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 1:1-28

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 1:4-25

The glory of the Eternal. This marvellous vision, which has correspondences with others to be found in Scripture, must be interpreted in the light of the prophet's peculiar genius and imagination, and in the light of the canons and customs of ancient and Oriental art. To find significance in every detail would be to indulge an idle curiosity; to dismiss the figures as the product of an imagination dissociated from truth would be irrational and irreverent. It is plain that Ezekiel was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 1:4-28

The providential government of God. This is acknowledged even by some of the ablest expositors to be a most difficult portion of sacred Scripture. Isaac Casaubon says that "in the whole of the Old Testament there is nothing more obscure than the beginning and the end of the Book of Ezekiel." And Calvin "acknowledges that he does not understand this vision." Yet we would humbly and reverently endeavour to set forth what appear to us to be the principal teachings of this marvellous vision.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 1:15-21

Nature's material forces are the active servants of the Church. New phenomena now appear to the prophet's ecstatic vision. Wheels of vast and appalling magnitude are seen, and seen in combination with the cherubim. Now, wheels are essential parts of man's mechanical contrivances; therefore we are compelled to regard the material earth and the encircling atmosphere as the scene of this activity. In a striking and instructive manner we perceive God working in and through material nature. We... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 1:18

As for their rings, etc. The "rings" or "felloes" of the wheels impressed the prophet's mind with a sense of awe, partly from their size, partly from their being "full of eyes." These were obviously, as again in Ezekiel 10:12 , and in the analogues of the "stone with seven eyes" in Zechariah 3:9 ; Zechariah 4:10 , and the "four beasts [ i.e. 'living creatures'] full of eyes," in Revelation 4:6 , symbols of the omniscience of God working through the forces of nature and of history.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 1:18

Rings - The felloes (circumference) of the wheels: they were both high and terrible. The “eyes” may have been no more than dazzling spots adding to their brilliancy. But it seems more likely that they had a symbolic meaning expressing either the universal fulfillment of God’s will through His creation (2 Chronicles 16:9; compare Ezekiel 10:12), or the constant and unceasing praise which His works are ever rendering to Him Revelation 4:8. The power of nature is no blind force. it is employed in... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 1:15-25

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 1:18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 1:18

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 1:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 1:1-28

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 1:4-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 1:4-28

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 1:15-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 1:18

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 1:18

Group of Brands