Chap. II. ver. 1. — Son of man.] This expression is generally understood as applied to the Prophet, to put him in mind of his frailty and mortality, and of the infinite distance between God and man. In which sense it is supposed to be taken, when spoken of Christ in the New Testament; implying his great humility in assuming our nature, and appearing no otherwise than as an ordinary man. W. Lowth, Calmet. See the note on Dan. viii. 17.

— stand upon thy feet.] It appears from the last verse in the first chapter, that the Prophet had fallen prostrate in the Eastern manner at the manifestation of the glory of God. Abp. Newcome.

Ezekiel 1:26

26. — the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone.] God is described in Scripture as “dwelling in light, and clothing himself with it.” Exod. xxiv. 10; Rev. iv. 2, 3; Ps. civ. 2. So the throne of God here described was made up of light, resembling the colours and brightness of a sapphire. W. Lowth.

— of a man] The Representative of the invisible God, his ever blessed and only begotten Son, who at length assumed human nature. Bp. Hall, Abp. Newcome. When Moses and the elders saw the God of Israel, Exod. xxiv. 9—11, or the glory of God, they saw nothing but an inconceivably resplendent brightness, that they might not imagine the Deity represented by any image. Here the form of a man seems to prefigure the incarnation. W. Lowth. See the note on Jer. i. 4.

Ezekiel 1:27

27. — within it.] Within the colour of amber. The upper part of this appearance was of an amber colour outwardly, but more flaming inwardly. W. Lowth.

28. As the appearance of the bow: As this vision was an evident representation of the Word that was to be made flesh, whose incarnation is the foundation of God’s covenant and mercy with mankind; a rainbow, the symbol and token of mercy, was a very fit attendant upon that glorious vision, Rev. x. 1. W. Lowth.

— the glory of the Lord.] See Isa. vi. 1, 2: where this glory assumed a different appearance.

This august vision was a representation of God’s glory, which tended to convince the Prophet of the Divine appearance. It signified likewise, that God is every where present; that his knowledge and power are infinite; that He governs all things by his providence; Vol. II.

CHAP. II.