Ezekiel 1:8 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 1:4-14

The visions of God which Ezekiel here saw were very glorious, and had more particulars than those which other prophets saw. It is the scope and intention of these vision, 1. To possess the prophet's mind with very great, and high, and honourable thoughts of that God by whom he was commissioned and for whom he was employed. It is the likeness of the glory of the Lord that he sees (Ezek. 1:28), and hence he may infer that it is his honour to serve him, for he is one whom angels serve. He may... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 1:8

And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides ,.... "Hands of a man" denote action, according to knowledge; ministers of the Gospel are men of practice and business, as well as have the theory and knowledge of things; and they act like men in a rational way, according to the will of God revealed in the word: and these being "on their four sides", show that they have much work to do all around, on every side; in ministering the word, administering ordinances;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 1:8

They had the hands of a man under their wings - I doubt much whether the arms be not here represented as all covered with feathers, so that they had the appearance of wings, only the hand was bare; and I rather think that this is the meaning of their having "the hands of a man under their wings." read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 1:8

Verse 8 Now the Prophet says: hands were under their wings Since hands are the principal instruments of action, we know that all actions are often denoted by this word: whence hands, either pure or defiled, signify the works of men either clean or unclean. When the Prophet says that the animals were endowed with hands, he signifies that they were ready for the performance of any duty enjoined upon them: for he who is without hands lies useless, and cannot execute any work. Therefore that the... 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 1:5-14

Unseen forms of intelligent ministry. Man is only a part, though an integral part, of the active universe of God. Even inert matter is pervaded by dynamic throes, such as attraction, heat, and electricity; and every part of God's creation is executing, either intelligently or ignorantly, his supreme will. To a heathen monarch he made a startling revelation, "1 girded thee, though thou hast not known me." These cherubic forms (seen first at the gate of Eden, and again in symbol over the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 1:8

They had the hands of a man, etc . The prophet seems to describe each detail in the order in which it presented itself to him. What he next sees is that each of the four forms has two hands on each of its four sides. Nothing could supersede that symbol of activity and strength. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 1:8

Or, “They had the hands of a man under their wings on all four sides, just as they had wings and faces on all four sides.” read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 1:4-14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 1:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 1:8

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 1:8

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 1:5-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 1:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 1:8

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