King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 1:28 Mean?

Ezekiel 1:28 in the King James Version says “As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round abou... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Ezekiel 1:28 · KJV


Context

26

And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.

27

And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The vision concludes with overwhelming glory that prostrates the prophet. The rainbow (qeshet) surrounding the throne evokes God's covenant faithfulness, recalling Noah's rainbow (Genesis 9:13-16) as a sign that God remembers His promises even in judgment. The 'brightness round about' (nogah saviv) depicts radiant glory emanating from God's presence, creating an atmosphere of unapproachable holiness. The phrase 'the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD' employs three distancing terms (appearance/likeness/glory) to indicate that this is visible manifestation, not God's essential being which no one can see and live (Exodus 33:20). Ezekiel's response—falling on his face—demonstrates proper human response to divine holiness: reverent fear, humility, and worship. This posture anticipates worship in God's presence (Revelation 4:10). Hearing 'a voice of one that spake' transitions from vision to auditory revelation, preparing for the prophet's commission in chapter 2.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ezekiel's vision occurred in a context where Israel had largely abandoned faithful worship. The rainbow's appearance reminded the exiles of God's covenant promises extending back to Noah and forward through Abraham, Moses, and David. Despite the catastrophe of exile, God's commitment to His people remained intact. The glory Ezekiel saw was the same kavod Yahweh (glory of the LORD) that filled the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-35) and Solomon's temple (1 Kings 8:10-11). Ezekiel would later witness this glory departing the temple (Ezekiel 10:18-19; 11:22-23), explaining theologically why Jerusalem fell—God's presence had withdrawn due to persistent abominations. Yet here in exile, the glory appeared to Ezekiel, demonstrating God's faithfulness beyond the temple's destruction.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the rainbow imagery assure us that God's judgment operates within the framework of His covenant faithfulness?
  2. What does Ezekiel's prostrate response teach us about the proper human posture before God's revealed glory?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
מַרְאֵ֖ה1 of 23

As 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),

הַקֶּ֡שֶׁת2 of 23

of the bow

H7198

a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris

אֲשֶׁר֩3 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יִֽהְיֶ֨ה4 of 23
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בֶעָנָ֜ן5 of 23

that is in the cloud

H6051

a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud

בְּי֣וֹם6 of 23

in the day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַגֶּ֗שֶׁם7 of 23

of rain

H1653

a shower

כֵּ֣ן8 of 23
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

מַרְאֵ֖ה9 of 23

As 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),

הַנֹּ֙גַהּ֙10 of 23

of the brightness

H5051

brilliancy (literally or figuratively)

סָבִ֔יב11 of 23

round about

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

ה֕וּא12 of 23
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

מַרְאֵ֖ה13 of 23

As 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),

דְּמ֣וּת14 of 23

of the likeness

H1823

resemblance; concretely, model, shape; adverbially, like

כְּבוֹד15 of 23

of the glory

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

יְהוָ֑ה16 of 23

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וָֽאֶרְאֶה֙17 of 23

And when I saw

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

וָאֶפֹּ֣ל18 of 23

it I fell

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

עַל19 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פָּנַ֔י20 of 23

upon my face

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

וָאֶשְׁמַ֖ע21 of 23

and I heard

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

ק֥וֹל22 of 23

a voice

H6963

a voice or sound

מְדַבֵּֽר׃23 of 23

of one that spake

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue


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 1:28 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 1:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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