Ezekiel 1

When and where Ezekiel prophesied , ver I, c. God sheweth him a wonderful vision , of four beasts , v 4 ,5,c.of four wheels ,15. and of a throne ,wherein the Lord did manifest himself in the form of a man,as Ruler and Jugde o all the world, 26.

1. In the thirtieth year ,[some count this year from the reign of Nebochodonosor the first other wife called Nabopolassar ,the father of Nebuchadnezzar the Great who subdued Syria and Judea ,under whose dominion the prophet Ezekiel lived at the same time when the book of law was also found in the temple ,to wit ,in the eighteenth year of King Josia ,2Kin.22.8.&23.21. others have accounts]in the fourth moneth),[which for the most part agreeth with our June ,and is called by the Jews Tamuz :meaning the ecclesiastical year ,for the moneth of civil year is called Tebeth.The word moneth is here inserted from the following clause] on the fifth day of the sameth moneth when I was in the midst of them bat were carried away [to wit ,as captives to Babel .Heb .carrying away .So 2 Kings 24 .15 .Ezra 11.11 So likewise captivity for captives .see Numb .31 on ver .19 .when l was in the midst c. for when jojachin was carried away captive to Babylon with much people ,the prophet Ezekiel was among them .See below chap 33.21and 40.1] by the river Chebar ;[some understand an arme of the river Euphrates, called Chabora from Chabora certain commanders divided the Euphrates .Others , a certain river in Mesopotania ,running from mount Masius into the river Euphrates towards a city of the same name]then it came to pass (that)that the heavens were opened,[to wit ,in a super natural manner whereby the prophet being in a trance ,was indued with a new fight ,to behold without any impediment that was shewed him .Compare Revil4.1. and 19.11]and I saw vision of God .[that is ,which God shewed unto me , or wherein God by certain forms caused himself to be seen by me in the spirit So below chap .8.3 and 40.2. seer of divine visions ,Gen .15 .on ver1.concerning this vision there be divers expositions of it in the church of God amongst which that seemeth to be the fittest is here followed .]

2. On the fifth day of the same moneth ,(that was the fifth year of king Jojachin carrying away,)[if to these five years we add eleven years of Jojachins reign,3Kinbgs 23.36. the three moneth of Joahaz ,2kings 23.31. and the fourteen last years of Josias , we find the thirty years with three months whereof is spoken in former verse .)

3. The word of the Lord came expressly [Heb coming to pass came to pass] unto Ezekiel [Heb Jechezkel .this name signifieth the strength of God or strengthened by God the son of Buzi ,the Priest in the land of Chaldeans ,by the river Chebar and the hand of the Lord was there upon him [that is ability to prophesy was given him of God .see 2kings 3 on ver 15 So below chap .11.5.. The meaning is one and the same .For the spirit of God giveth the ability and the gift for the prophesie ,1Cor .12.4]

4. Then I looked and behold a whirlwind came [To wit ,not onely to up to prophet to attention but also to represent the teible power of the supreme Judge which he would put into practice against Jerusalem ,by the enemies thereof see of such similitude,Job 9.on ver 17] from the north , [to wit from whence the Jews enemies that is the Chaldeans should come compare Jerem 1.13 ,14, 15] a great cloud , understand hereby the army of the Chadeans . see Jerem .4.13 .Compare below c 30.18.and 38.9] and a fire that caught in it , or infolding itself to wit in that cloud or compassing it compare Exodus 9:24 this fire fought in the cloud fignifieth the burning of the city of Jerusalem and the temple and brightness was round about that cloud [by the brightness here is meant the glory of justice which God geteth by his punishment and judgements .psal 51.6 isa5.16] and out of the midst thereof [that is of the fire as appeareth by the end of this verse]was the colour [Heb eye ;that is colour or hue whereupon the eye hath its operation .So Levit13.55.Numb 11.7 .below vers .7.] of Hasmal ,[many understand hereby a kind of rosin called amber by the Latines Succinum .Others take it to be a kind of metal called electrum consisting of gold whereof fifth part in silver in colour like unto pale gold .Others understand the word of the purest burning copper or steel :some take it for the colour of very siery coles ; having the name some conceive from hasly cutting as under consuming & this furtheth well with burning steel and coles out of the midst of the fire .[That is thereof appearing when it lyeth and burneth in the midst of thee fire compare this vision with that which is recorded below chap 10.

5. And out of the midst thereof [to wit of the fire wherein was the colour of Hasmal] came the likeness of the four beast [by these beasts are to be understood the holy Angels because they they are called Cherubims below chap 10 vers 15,20 .Now that these four beast are said to come out of the midst of the fire this fignifieth both the brightness of their nature and the servency of their operation herewith agreeth the name seraphims , being derived from Saraph ,that is, to burn , Isa .6.2,6]and this was their shape and they had the likeness of a man .[to wit , for the most part of their body;for they had the face ,legs and hands of a man , vers 7,8 .Angels are likened unto man because they have understanding and will ,but much more perfect than men 2Sam .14.20 Psal.103.20 1Pet.1.12]

6. And everyone had four faces ;[whereof see below vers 10 so chap 10.14]likewise everyone of them had four wings .[to wit two for flie with not withstanding in this vision they lifted up towards the sirmament and in a manner covered their faces herewith; which wings signified partly their speediness in the exercuting Gods commands ,and partly teir willing and ready attendance and disposition to minister unto God their Lord and master .And two other wings they had for to cover their body therewith , which showeth both their reverence towards God ,and the invisibility of their nature and ssence unto man .in Isa6.2 and in Revel 4.8 are fix wings ascribed unto the angel to wit two more besides these four ,wherewith they cover their faces because they were before the throne of God whose brightness and majesty they were not able to endure .]

7. And their feet [That is legged or shanks]were straight feet [signifying the straightness of their work .Heb and their feet ,the foot was straight]and the soles of their feet [meaning that part of the leg that is properly called the foot] were like the soles of the calves feet [which are round and strong ,to signify the swiftness and readiness of the angels in the execution of their ministery] and sparkled [to shew that the works which God performeth by the angels are clear and glorious] like the colour of smooth copper [or polished scoured and cleansed copper ;signifying the purity of the angels compare Revel 1.15]

8. And the hands of a man [understand by these hands the works of the holy angels which they do according to Gods commands and the aptness that is in them for those works were under their wings [to wit to signifie their works are invisible and unknown to men]on their four sides ,[Heb four squares, wherby is represnted that they executed gods commands in and over all the corner of the world compare below chap 43 .16,17]and they had four faces and their wings.

9. Their wings were joyaed together [understand this wherewith they flew ;and compare below vers 11]the one to the other ;[Heb the woman to their sister ;that is to, one another .so Exodus 26:3 ,5,6 .below vers.23.and3.13.This joyning together seemeth to signifie the natural friendship and piece that is among the holy angels in the executing of their ministeries] they turned not back when they went ;[that is they departed not from the way but went on equally in it .so below vers 12 and 17] they went everyone straight on before his face .[That is, they went straight forward ,keeping an equal pace toward the place that was before their face ,and unto which they they were to come .This signifieth that the holy angels go on in the work enjoyned them by God ,without any looking back ,and without being turned aside by any impediment]

10. Now the likeness of their face was the face of a man ;[To wit before see thesignification above on vers 5observe that every beast had four face before the face of a ,man behind the face of an eagle on the right side the face of a lion and on the left the face of an ox was followeth [and they four [to wit the four beast] had the face of a lion [to wit for to signifie thereby that the angels are very strong.Of the strength of lion see Judges 14:18 Proverbs 30:30.Of the strength of the holy angels see 2Kings 19.35 Coloss.1.16.Who are also stronger than the devil because they overcome them when they encounter them ,Dan10.13 Revel 12.7 ,8,9]on the right side ;and they four had had the face of an ox [this signifieth the ministering perseverance of the holy angels in execution of the charges laid upon them by God]on the left side :they four also had the face of the face of an eagle .[To wit behind opposite to the face of a man which was before .Understand hereby the quickness and activity of angels in working]

11. Also their faces and their wings [meaning the two wings wherewith they flew ,which they lifted up as if they would flie as followeth]divided upwards [that is distinctly lifted up and stretched forth unto God that sate above the four beast on a high throne in the form of a man whereby is signified that the holy angels are active with all their minds and affection to receive and execute the commands of God .Others ,these or thus were their faces but their wings were spread upwards]every one [to wit of the beasts]had two [to wit wings joined together (the one)to the other [see above vers 9 and annotate]and two covered their bodies [see above the annotate on vers 6]

12. And they went everyone straight on before his face [see above on vers 9] whether the spirit was to go [meaning the spirit and the power of God which worketh from the Father by the Son ,Zach 4.6 and whereby these beasts were moved and governed .Compare below chap 2 on vers 14 and 8 .3 and 11.19,5 and 43..5] they went they turned not back as ,they went [see above on vers 9]

13. As for the likeness of the beasts their form aws like burning cole of fire [which not only shewed unto to the prophet that here some divine things was done and that these beasts were no mean ordinary beasts but where angels of God ;moreover signifying the burning of Gods wrath whereof these angels where to be speedy and terrible executioners .Compare Psalms 18:9 and 140vers10 where burning coles signifie Gods judgments like the form of torches :Compare Daniel 10:6]that fire went continually between those beasts :or caused itself to go & c That is went steadfastly on by darting out perpetually new flames of fire :whereby maybe understood the perpetual motion of the angels for to execute Gods wrath as likewise the constant purpose of God ready to punish the wickedness of the Jews ]and the fire had a brightness [signifying the purity of Gods justice which plainly appeareth in his judgments]and out of the fire came forth lightning [understand hereby partly the dreadful terours that fall upon man by Gods just judgments, partly the uncomprehensible speediness which the angels use in executing those judgments .compare Matth 24.27.]

14. Now the beast ran ,and returned as the shape of lightning .[To wit , not by withdrawing themselves from any work begun out of weariness but by presenting themselves again before God when their work is finished being ready again to receive new commands .Of the former they cleared above vers 9, and 12 and this latter is here ascribed unto them .]

15. When I beheld those beasts ,behold there was a wheel upon the earth [which wheel 9according to the opinion of some signified the world which is here upon the earth subject to many changes like a running wheel wherein often times the upper part cometh below and the lowermost cometh above .see below chap 10.13]by those beasts [understand that every beast had a wheel so that there where four wheels see below vers 16 and chap 10.9,12]according to the four faces that is sides or corners wherewith they look towards the four corners of the world .For every wheel was double ,being one wheel in another joined together overthwart ,so that so that those two wheels fastened together had the form of a bullet or ball and four sides whereupon they might be rolled and moved by the Angels to the four corners of the earth sometimes to one and sometimes to another quarter ]there of [To wit of the wheel or of every one of the beast .]

16. The fashion of the wheels and their workmanship or work that is form and fashion so this word is taken 1 Kings 7:17,19,26,33 .So likewise here in the sequel was like unto the color of beryl[see cant 5 on vers 14] and they four had one manner of resemblance .[whereby is signified that the world is everywhere like unto itself to wit unstable and transitory some apply resemblance to the beast moreover their shape and their workmanship was as it where a wheel in the middle of a wheel .[see the former vers on the words four faces .The signification hereof is though the world by Gods ordering be very wisely governed yet many things in it everywhere [when so ever it pleaseth God in his just judgment]are both in general and in particular as suddenly confound and turned upside down which he knoweth very well how to redress to his own glory and to the salvation of his people .]

17. When they went upon their four sides [To wit either to their fore part where the face of a man was or to the hinder part where the eagles face flood or to the right sidewhich had the face of a lion or to the left side , where the oxes face stood so that in going there awsno turning back as followeth according to the face of the beast or Cherub the same is also said above of the beast nvers 9,and 12]they turned not back when they went[see above on vers 9]

18. And their wings [Heb bicks meaning the rands or the iron-work of every wheel which are the outermost and highest part thereof ;signifying the highest and ,greatest and fearful things of the world; and all these are under the power of God ,and are governed by him by the ministry of his Angels as followeth]they were so high that they were so dreadful ;[Heb and they bad height and they had dreadfulness ;that is they were so high as they were dreadful or cause fear]and their wings where full of eyes round about those four wheels these eyes point us to the providence of God ,who beholdeth and governeth all things upon the face of the earth compare 2Chron 16.9.Job 34:21 Psal33.18.Jerem16.17.Zach3.9 and 4.10

19. Now when the beasts went the wheels went by them :and when the four beast where lift up from the earth the wheels were lift up .[This signifieth unto us that the alteration that happen in this world are governed by God by the ministry of his holy Angels the ordering whereof though it be for the most prt incomprehensible that is just and righteous]

20. Whither so ever the spirit was to go ,[see above vers 12 and the annotate.]they to wit the wheels went withersoever the spirit was to go [he repeateth the same again to make the matter more plain and certain]and the wheels where lifted up over against them;[to wit the beast with whose lifting up the wheels where also lifted up among them] for the spirit of the beast [Heb of the beast the singular number for the plural. so below vers 21, and 22] was in the wheels .[The meaning is that the wheels where moved and driven namely by the spirit of God others a spirit of light was in the wheels.]

21. When those [To wit the beast]went these [to wit heels so in the sequel went and when those stood that is were no more moved nor went forward .Understand withal that the angels having finished their work do quietly wait for other charges that God may lay upon them]they stood and when those were lifted up over against them [see above in the end of the 20 verse]for the spirit [see above on verse 12] of the beast [Heb of the beast as vers 20] was in the wheels .

22. And upon the heads of the beast [Heb of the beast as before was the likeness of a firmament ,what the firmament or expansion which was created of God in the beginning properly is may be seen Genes 1 on vers6 now here is spoken of the likeness of firmament which was shewed unto the prophet in this vision and consequently was not a thing on its own and essence perpetually remained but was only a shape and appearance thereof like the color [Heb eye see above on v 4]of the dreadful chrystal spread forth ever their heads above [or of dreadful ice ,& c. for the word Kerach is for the molt part taken for the ice but it is here by expositors rendered chrystals as the same is also like unto ice conglealed and hardned into a stone very clear bright o transparent so that the form or fashion of this firmament was like unto transparent ice of such clear brightness that was terrible thing to behold for which cause it is here also called dreadful or terrible .This firmament was above over the heads of the beasts or Angels intimating that the Lord could through it conveniently see all that was under it ,and that the Angels could be in some sort behold his majesty that was above it .]

23. And under that firmament were their wings straight up ,[that is listed upwards see above on vers .6.and compare above vers 11] the one toward the other :[Heb. The woman toward her sister see above on vers .9.]and everyone had two [understand this of the other two wings which everyone had two[the repetition of one or more words is done according to the manner and custome of speaking used by the Hebrews when they make any division see genes .7. on vers .2.]which covered them thitherward .[that, is whereof the other wing covered the hinder side or part of their bodies .]

24. And when they went I heard the noise like noise of many waters ,as the voice almighty ,[understand withal when he spoketh below chap .10 vers 5 .some understand it of the ratling or rumbling of the thunder see Psal 29.3 .]as the voice of a cry ,as the noise of an host :[this various sound signifieth partly an holy acclamation and thanksgiving of the Angels ;and partly ,that the judgement of God which he executeth upon the wicked by the ministry of his Angels are most dreadful and terrible so that everyone hath cause to be amazed threat]when they stood ,[see above on vers 21] then they let down their wings

25. And there came a voice [to wit whereby the prophet was summed up to attend ,and to receive the commands of God with reverence and obedience .Compare Exod.19.16. Revel .1.10 .] from above the firmament which was over their heads ;[to wit ,the heads of the four beasts]when they stood and let down their wings

26. And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne ,[This signifid a royal Majesty and power of a supreme judge Genes 41.40. 1 Kings 1:13 and 7.7 Proverbs 20:8.] as the form of a Saphir -stone :[whose colour is skie-colour shining with golden pearls see Job 28on vers 16 it signified an heavenly throne full of majesty and glory compare Exodus 24:10]and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the form of a man [which was the representation of the majesty of Gpd .compare Isa .6 on v 1.Some apply it especially to the majesty of our Lord Jesus Christ and God and man in unity of person the only mediator of all believes and the judge of all men ; who below chap 8.6 calleth his temple sanctuary and here vers 28.is called the Lord]being above upon it [to wit as an everlasting King and supreme judge :2sam .7.13. Psal 45.7. matth25.31 Luke1.32,33. Job .5. 22,27 Acts 10:42 and 17.31 .]

27. And I aw as the colour of Hasmal ,[Namely round about him that fate above the firmament on the throne .f Hasmal see above on vers4]as the form fire[whereby was signified the eternal Godhead who is called consuming fire Duet 4.24 see the annotate there]round about within it [that is round about within the color of Hasmal so that it seemed that he that fate on the throne was compassed with burning Hasmal from his lions upwards unto his head and downward into his feet ;as followeth]from the form of his lions and upward and from the form of his lion and upward ,and from the form of his lions and downward I saw as it it were the form of fire and brightness round about upon him .[which signifieth that God dwelleth in a light which man can approach unto ,1 Tim .6.16 and yet not withstanding remaineth still a light of comfort and salvation to all those that are his ,that is ,to true believers ,Psal .27.1 Issa60.20 Mich.7.8]

28. As the form of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of a great shower of rain ,so was the form of brightness round about :[the likeness of the rain-bow served to set out and magnifie the majesty of him that fate upon the throne ,and the reverent of the owe of the prophet toward the same .Thereby many be also understood a token of mercy and favor ,which God in punishing would shew unto true penitents] This was the form of the likeness of the glory of the Lord ,[to wit ,whereby God manifested himself into this vision :whereof see also below ,chap3.23 and 8.4 and 9.3,c Exod .6.7 Levit .9 on vers 6 Numb .14 on vers10 So then hereby is to understood Gods glorious presence and consequently he himself]and when I saw it I fell upon my face .[to wit being astonished by that dreadful manifestation of the divine majesty and be able to honor the same with adoration compare Genes .17 on vers 3 .]