2 In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Tarquinii Prisci, Jehoiachin's captivity.

R. Roman., 22.

3 The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.

4 And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.

15.-f Heb. Jehezkel. 1 Kings xviii.
chap. iii. 14, 22; viii. 1; xl. 1. Jer.
Jer. i. 14; iv. 6; vi. 1.

Ezekiel's prophesying.

A. M. 3409.

B. C. 595. OL. XLVI. 2. Anno

5 Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had "the R. Roman., 22. likeness of a man.

Tarquinii Prisci,

6 And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings..

7 And their feet were straight feet; the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they sparkled Plike the colour of burnished brass.

8 4 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they

Heb. catching itself. Rev, iv. 6, &c.- Chap. x. 8, &c. n Ver. 10; chap. x. 14, 21.0 Heb. a straight foot.-P Dan. x. 6; Rev. i. 15. Chap. x. 18, 21.

living creatures.] As the amber-coloured body was the centre of the fire, and this fire was in the centre of the cloud; so out of this amber-coloured igneous centre came the living creatures just mentioned.

e2 Kings xxiv. 12, 46; 2 Kings iii. 15; xxiii. 19; xxv. 32.after the high priest Hilkiah had found the book of the law, in the house of the sanctuary," &c. This was in the twelfth year of Josiah's reign. The thirtieth year, computed as above, comes to A. M. 3409, the fourth year from the captivity of Jeconiah, and the fifth of the reign of Zedekiah. Ezekiel was then among the captives who had been carried away with Jeconiah, and had his dwelling near the river Chebar, Chaborus, or Aboras, a river of Mesopotamia, which falls into the Euphrates a little above Thapsacus, after having run through Mesopotamia from east to west.Calmet. Fourth month] Thammuz, answering nearly to our the human figure. July.

I saw visions of God.] Emblems and symbols of the Divine Majesty. He particularly refers to those in this chapter.

Verse 2. Jehoiachin's captivity] Called also Jeconiah and Coniah; see 2 Kings xxiv. 12. He was carried away by Nebuchadnezzar; see 2 Kings xxiv. 14.

Verse 6. Every one had four faces] There were four several figures of these living creatures, and each of these figures had four distinct faces but as the face of the man was that which was presented to the prophet's view, so that he saw it more plainly than any of the others; hence it is said, ver. 5, that each of these figures had the likeness of a man; and the whole of this compound image bore a general resemblance to

Verse 7. Their feet were straight feet] There did not seem to be any flexure at the knee, nor were the legs separated in that way as to indicate progression by walking. I have before me several ancient Egyptian images of Isis, Osiris, Anubis, &c., where the legs are not separated, nor is there any bend at the knees; so that if there was any motion at all, it must have been by gliding, not progressive walking. It is a remark of Elian, that the gods are never represented as walking, but always gliding; and he gives this as

Verse 3. The hand of the Lord] I was filled with his power, and with the influence of the prophetic spirit. Verse 4. A whirlwind came out of the north] Ne-a criterion to discern common angelic appearances buchadnezzar, whose land, Babylonia, lay north of Judea. Chaldea is thus frequently denominated, by Jeremiah.

A great cloud, and a fire infolding itself] A mass of fire concentrated in a vast cloud, that the flames might be more distinctly observable, the fire never eseaping from the cloud, but issuing, and then returning in upon itself. It was in a state of powerful agitation; but always involving itself, or returning back to the centre whence it appeared to issue.

A brightness was about it] A fine tinge of light surrounded the cloud, in order to make its limits the more discernible; beyond which verge the turmoiling fire did not proceed.

The colour of amber] This was in the centre of the cloud; and this amber-coloured substance was the centre of the labouring flame. The word ηλεκτρον, which we translate amber, was used to signify a compound metal, very bright, made of gold and brass.

Verse 5. Also out of the midst thereof came-four

from those of the gods all other spiritual beings walked progressively, rising on one foot, while they stretched out the other; but the deities always glided without gradual progressive motions. And Heliodorus in his Romance of Theogines and Charicha, gives the same reason for the unite,' feet of the gods, &c., and describes the same appearances.

Like the sole of a calf's foot] Before it is stated to be a straight foot; one that did not lay down a flat horizontal sole, like that of the human foot.

And they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass.] I suppose this refers rather to the hoof of the calf's foot, than to the whole appearance of the leg. There is scarcely any thing that gives a higher lustre than highly polished or burnished brass. Our blessed Lord is represented with legs like burnished brass, Rev. i. 15.

Verse 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

The wonderful

A. M. 3409.
B, C. 595.

Anno

Ol. XLVI. 2. Tarquinii Prisci, R. Roman., 22.

four had their faces and their their appearance was like burning

wings.

r

9 Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.

A. M. 3409.

B. C. 595. Ol. XLVI. 2.

Anno

R. Roman, 22.

coals of fire, and like the ap-
pearance of lamps: it went up Tarquinii Prisci,
and down among the living crea-
tures; and the fire was bright, and out of the
fire went forth lightning.
e ran and re-

14 And the living creatures
turned fas the

lightning,

appearance of a flash of

15 Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces.

16 The 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.

17 When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went.

Rev. iv. 7. a Ver. 9; chap. x. 22.- b Ver. 20. Ver. 9, 17.- Rev.
Num. ii. iv. 5. Zech. iv. 10. Matt. xxiv. 27.- Chap. x. 9.
Chap. x. 9, 10.- Dan. x. 6.- Ver. 12.

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."

Verse 9. Their wings were joined one to another] When their wings were extended, they formed a sort of canopy level with their own heads or shoulders; and on this canopy was the throne, and the "likeness of the man" upon it, ver. 26.

They turned not when they went] The wings did not flap in flying, or move in the manner of oars, or of the hands of a man in swimming, in order to their passing through the air; as they glided in reference to their feet, so they soared in reference to their wings.

Verse 10. As for the likeness of their faces] There was but one body to each of those compound animals: but each body had four faces; the face of a man and of a lion on the right side; the face of an ox and an eagle on the left side. Many of these compound images appear in the Asiatic idols. Many are now before me : some with the head and feet of a monkey, with the body, arms, and legs of a man. Others with the head of the dog; body, arms, and legs human. Some with the head of an ape; all the rest human. Some with one head and eight arms; others with six heads or faces, with twelve arms. The head of a lion and the head of a cock often appear; and some with the head of a cock, the whole body human, and the legs terminating in snakes. All these were symbolical, and each had its own appropriate meaning. Those in the text had theirs also, could we but find it out.

substance appeared to be of flame; and among them frequent coruscations of fire, like vibrating lamps, often emitting lightning, or rather sparks of fire, as we have seen struck out of strongly ignited iron in a forge." The flames might be something like what is called warring wheels in pyrotechny. They seemed to conflict together.

Verse 14. The living creatures ran and returned] They had a circular movement; they were in rapid motion, but did not increase their distance from the spectator. So I think this should be understood.

Verse 15. One wheel upon the earth] It seems at first view there were four wheels, one for each of the living creatures; that is, the creatures were compound, so were the wheels, for there was "a wheel in the middle of a wheel." And it is generally supposed that these wheels cut each other at right angles up and down; and this is the manner in which they are generally represented; but most probably the wheel within means merely the nave in which the spokes are inserted, in reference to the ring, rim, or periphery, where these spokes terminate from the centre or nave. I do think this is what is meant by the wheel within a wheel; and I am the more inclined to this opinion, by some fine Chinese drawings now before me, where their deities are represented as walking upon wheels, the wheels themselves encompassed with fire. The wheel is simply by itself, having a projecting axis; so of these it is said, "their appearance and their work was, as it were, a wheel within a wheel." There were either two peripheries or rims with their spokes, or the nave answered for the wheel within. I have examined Whither the spirit was to go] Whither that whirl-models of what are called Ezekiel's wheels, which are wind blew, they went, being borne on by the wind, see designed to move equally in all directions: but I plainly saw that this was impossible; nor can any kind of complex wheel move in this way.

Verse 12. They went every one straight forward] Not by progressive stepping, but by gliding.

ver. 4.

Verse 13. Like burning coals of fire] The whole

chariot of God.

24 "And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings,

A. M. 3409.

B. C. 595. Ol. XLVI. 2. Anno

R. Roman., 22.

like the noise of great waters, Tarquinii Prisci, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of a host: when they stood, they let down their wings. 25 And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings.

20 Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they 26 And above the firmament that was over went, thither was their spirit to go; and the their heads was the likeness of a throne, y as wheels were lifted up over against them: P for the the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. the likeness of the throne was the likeness as 21 When those went, these went; and when the appearance of a man above upon it. those stood, these stood; and when those were 27. And I saw as the colour of amber, as the lifted up from the earth, the wheels were appearance of fire round about within it, from lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the appearance of his loins even upward, and the living creature was in the wheels. from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.

t

22 And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.

23 And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other: every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies.

Or, strakes. Chap. x. 12; Zech. iv. 10.- - Chap. x. 16, 17. o Ver. 12. Chap. x. 17.- -9 Or, of life.- - Ver. 19, 20; chap. x. 17.- Or, of life.- Chap. x. 1.- a Chap. Chap. xliii. 2; Dan. x. 6; Rev. i. 15.

x. 5.

.t

Verse 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?

Verse 19. When the living creatures went, the wheels went] The wheels were attached to the living creatures, so that, in progress, they had the same motion. Verse 20. The spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.] That is, the wheels were instinct with a vital spirit; the wheels were alive, they also were animals, or endued with animal life, as the creatures were that stood upon them. Here then is the chariot of Jehovah. There are four wheels, on each of which one of the compound animals stands; the four compound animals form the body of the chariot, their wings spread horizontally above, forming the canopy or covering of this chariot on the top of which, or upon the extended wings of the four living creatures, was the throne, on which was the appearance of a man, ver. 26. Verse 22. The colour of the terrible crystal] Like a crystal, well cut and well polished, with various faces,

28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about.

This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.

с

w Job xxxvii. 4, 5; Psa. xxix. 3, 4; lxviii. 33.—————— Chap. x. 1. Exod. xxiv. 10.- Chap. viii. 2. Rev. iv. 3; x. 1. Chap. iii. 23; viii. 4.- Chap. iii. 23; Dan. viii. 17; Acts ix. 4; Rev. i. 17.

by which rays of light were refracted, assuming either a variety of prismatic colours, or an insufferably brilliant splendour. This seems to be the meaning of the terrible crystal. Newcome translates, fearful ice. The common translation is preferable.

Verse 23. Every one had two, which covered on this side] While they employed two of their wings to form a foundation for the firmament to rest on, two other wings were let down to cover the lower part of their bodies: but this they did only when they stood, ver. 24.

Verse 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 waterfall, or waters dashing continually against the rocks, or rushing down precipices.

As the voice of the Almighty] Like distant thunder; for this is termed the voice of God, Psa. xviii. 13; Exod. ix. 23, 28, 29; xx. 18.

Verse 26. A sapphire] The pure oriental sapphire, a large well cut specimen of which is now before me, is one of the most beautiful and resplendent blues that can be conceived. I have sometimes seen the heavens assume this illustrious hue. The human form above this canopy is supposed to represent Him who, in the fulness of time, was manifested in the flesh. Verse 27. The colour of amber] There are speci

CHAPTER II.

The prophet, having been overwhelmed with the glorious vision in the preceding chapter, is here strengthened and comforted, 1, 2; and then commissioned to declare to the rebellious house of Israel the terrible judg ments that would very shortly come upon the whole land, if they repented not; with a gracious assurance to Ezekiel that God would be constantly with him while executing the duties of his office, 3-5. The prophet is also commanded to be fearless, resolute, and faithful in the discharge of it, 6-8, as he must be the messenger of very unpleasing tidings, which will expose him to great persecution, 9, 10.

4. For they are impudent 7, And thou shalt speak my children and stiff-hearted. I do words unto them, whether they Ol. XLVI. 2. Tarquinii Prisci, send thee unto them; and thou will hear, or whether they will for- Tarquinii Prisci, R. Roman., 22. shalt say unto them, Thus saith bear: for they are most rebellious. R. Roman., 22. 8. But thou, son of man, hear what I say 5 And they, whether they will hear, or unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat rebellious house,) yet shall know that there that I give thee.

kinim, vahegeh, vehi, lamentations, and a groan, and alas! Lamentations on all hands; a groan from the dying; and alas, or Wo is me! from the survivors. It was the letter that killeth, and is the ministration of Verse 8. Open thy mouth and eat that I give thee.] death. What a mercy to have that which is emphatiTake my word as thou wouldst take thy proper food; cally called To Evayyɛλov, The glad tidings, the good receive it into thy heart; ponder it there, that it may news! Christ Jesus is come into the world to save be the means of strengthening and preserving thy soul, sinners; and he wills that all men should be saved and as proper nourishment will strengthen the body, and come to the knowledge of the truth. Here are rejoicpreserve from death. And the people to whom suchings, thanksgivings, and exultation.