King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 1:13 Mean?

Ezekiel 1:13 in the King James Version says “As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.”

Ezekiel 1:13 · KJV

Context

11

Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies. stretched: or, divided above

12

And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went.

13

As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.

14

And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.

15

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

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The living creatures' appearance 'like burning coals of fire' and 'like the appearance of lamps' represents the consuming holiness of God's presence. Fire throughout Scripture symbolizes divine glory, purification, and judgment (Exod. 3:2; Heb. 12:29). The fire 'going up and down among the living creatures' shows divine energy animating God's servants. Brightness and lightning suggest awesome power and swift execution of God's will. This vision overwhelms human categories, pointing to divine transcendence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Fire held central importance in ancient Near Eastern religion and Israel's worship—the burning bush, pillar of fire, altar of burnt offering, Sinai's flames. Ezekiel's exile audience, far from Jerusalem's temple, needed assurance that God's presence wasn't confined to geographical location. The mobile throne-chariot demonstrated God's transcendent mobility—He was with them in Babylon.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the fire imagery remind us of God's consuming holiness and our need for reverence in worship?
  2. What comfort does God's mobile throne provide when we feel separated from traditional places of worship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וּדְמ֨וּת1 of 18

“As for the likeness”

H1823

resemblance; concretely, model, shape; adverbially, like

הַחַיּ֑וֹת2 of 18

“among the living creatures”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

כְּמַרְאֵ֣ה3 of 18

“and like the appearance”

H4758

a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),

כְּגַחֲלֵי4 of 18

“coals”

H1513

an ember

הָאֵ֖שׁ5 of 18

“and out of the fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

בֹּֽעֲרוֹת֙6 of 18

“was like burning”

H1197

to be(-come) brutish

כְּמַרְאֵ֣ה7 of 18

“and like the appearance”

H4758

a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),

הַלַּפִּדִ֔ים8 of 18

“of lamps”

H3940

a flambeau, lamp or flame

הִ֕יא9 of 18
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

מִתְהַלֶּ֖כֶת10 of 18

“it went up and down”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

בֵּ֣ין11 of 18
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

הַחַיּ֑וֹת12 of 18

“among the living creatures”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

וְנֹ֣גַהּ13 of 18

“was bright”

H5051

brilliancy (literally or figuratively)

הָאֵ֖שׁ14 of 18

“and out of the fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

וּמִן15 of 18
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָאֵ֖שׁ16 of 18

“and out of the fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

יוֹצֵ֥א17 of 18

“went forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

בָרָֽק׃18 of 18

“lightning”

H1300

lightning; by analogy, a gleam; concretely, a flashing sword

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 1:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 1:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 104:4Revelation 4:5Matthew 28:3Revelation 10:1Genesis 15:17Daniel 10:5-6

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