THE THIRTIETH YEAR] The reference of the number is uncertain. Suggested explanations are, (1) that Ezekiel's age is meant; (2) that the reckoning is from some recent era, such as Josiah's reformation (621 b.c.), or the independence of Babylon under Nabopolassar (625 b.c., taking thirty as a round nu... [ Continue Reading ]
§ 1. EZEKIEL'S CALL AND CONSECRATION AS A PROPHET (EZEKIEL 1-3) Date, June-July, 592 b.c. Ezekiel's call and consecration to his prophetic work took place by means of a vision of God's glory (Ezekiel 1), and of a divine commission, or rather series of commissions, conveyed partly in speech and par... [ Continue Reading ]
KING JEHOIACHIN'S CAPTIVITY] the first captivity, 597 b.c.: see Intro. THE fifth year] 592 b.c.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WORD OF THE Lord CAME] the usual formula for prophetic inspiration. CHALDEANS] Babylonians. THE HAND OF THE Lord WAS.. UPON him] producing the trance in which he saw the vision.... [ Continue Reading ]
AMBER] RM 'electrum,' an alloy of gold and silver.... [ Continue Reading ]
FEET] rather, 'limbs.' STRAIGHT] kneeless, unjointed. The living creatures did not move by walking. LIKE.. A CALF'S FOOT] not projecting in one direction as a human foot does.... [ Continue Reading ]
STRETCHED UPWARD] RV 'separate above.'... [ Continue Reading ]
One wheel.. with his four FACES] RV 'one wheel.. for each of the four faces thereof,' four wheels in all.... [ Continue Reading ]
A WHEEL IN THE MIDDLE OF (RV 'within') A WHEEL] an obscure expression. One explanation is that every wheel had another joined to it at right angles, so that the compound wheel would appear thus from above, and could revolve backwards and forwards on one rim, and from side to side on the other. Anot... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY TURNED NOT WHEN THEY WENT] as in Ezekiel 1:9; Ezekiel 1:12. The wheels of course revolved, but, like the living creatures, they could move in different directions without changing front.... [ Continue Reading ]
RINGS] RM 'felloes.' 20, 21. LIVING CREATURE] The group of four is spoken of as one.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE VOICE OF THE ALMIGHTY] the voice of Jehovah is a common OT. expression for thunder. VOICE OF SPEECH] RV 'noise of tumult.'. The articulate voice, as distinguished from the sound of the wheels, is not mentioned till afterwards.... [ Continue Reading ]
A SAPPHIRE STONE] see the very similar vision of God's glory in Exodus 24:10.... [ Continue Reading ]