Ezekiel 1:1
"Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God."

Commentary

Matthew Henry Concise

📖

Summary

It is a mercy to have the word of God brought to us, and a duty to attend to it diligently, when we are in affliction. The voice of God

came in the fulness of light and power, by the Holy Spirit.

Reflection

We may learn profitable lessons from subjects we cannot fully enter into or understand. But let us attend to the things which relate to our peace and duty, and 2062

leave secret things to the Lord, to whom alone they belong.\

📚Read Complete Commentary

It is a mercy to have the word of God brought to us, and a duty to attend to it diligently, when we are in affliction. The voice of God came in the fulness of light and power, by the Holy Spirit. These visions seem to have been sent to possess the prophet's mind with great and high thoughts of God. To strike terror upon sinners. To speak comfort to those that feared God, and humbled themselves. In Ezekiel 1:4-14, is the first part of the vision, which represents God as

attended and served by a vast company of angels, who are all his messengers, his ministers, doing his commandments. This vision would impress the mind with solemn awe and fear of the Divine displeasure, yet raise expectations of blessings. The fire is surrounded with a glory. Though we cannot by searching find out God to perfection, yet we see the brightness round about it. The likeness of the living creatures came out of the midst of the fire; angels derive their being and power from God. They have the understanding of a man, and far more. A lion excels in strength and boldness. An ox excels in diligence and patience, and unwearied discharge of the work he has to do. An eagle excels in quickness and piercing sight, and in soaring high; and the angels, who excel man in all these respects, put on these appearances. The angels have wings; and whatever business God sends them upon, they lose no time. They stood straight, and firm, and steady. They had not only wings for motion, but hands for action. Many persons are quick, who are not active; they hurry about, but do nothing to purpose; they have wings, but no hands. But wherever the angels' wings carried them, they carried hands with them, to be doing what duty required. Whatever service they went about, they went every one straight forward. When we go straight, we go forward; when we serve God with one heart, we perform work. They turned not when they went. They made no mistakes; and their work needed not to be gone over again. They turned not from their business to trifle with any thing. They went whithersoever the Spirit of God would have them go. The prophet saw these living creatures by their own light, for their appearance was like burning coals of fire; they are seraphim, or "burners;" denoting the ardour of their love to God, and fervent zeal in his service. We may learn profitable lessons from subjects we cannot fully enter into or understand. But let us attend to the things which relate to our peace and duty, and 2062 leave secret things to the Lord, to whom alone they belong.\

Source: Matthew Henry Concise (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (17 words)

H1961 הָיָה
Definition:

1+;וְהָיָהconsecutiveGenesis 4:14+; 3 feminine singularהָֽיְתָהGenesis 1:2+;הָיָ֑תָהIsaiah 14:243t.;וְהָֽיְתָהconsecutiveGenesis 9:13+;והית2Kings 9:37 Kt (Qrוְהָֽיְתָה); 2 masculine singularהָיִיתָDeu 1+;וְהָיָהconsecutiveGenesis 4:14+; 3 feminine singularהָֽיְתָהGenesis 1:2+;הָיָ֑תָהIsaiah 14:243t.;וְהָֽיְתָהconsecutiveGenesis 9:13+;והית2Kings 9:37 Kt (Qrוְהָֽיְתָה); 2 masculine singularהָיִיתָDeu

Possible Meanings:
  • fall out (semantic_range)
  • come to pass (semantic_range)
  • become (semantic_range)
  • be (semantic_range)
  • Fall out (semantic_range)
H7970 שְׁלוֹשִׁים
Definition:

174noun indeclinablethirty; —1before singular noun:אַמָּהGenesis 6:153t., +, withבָּאַמָּהExodus 26:83t.;שָׁנָה2 Samuel 5:412t. (age of paternity, of Levitical or royal duty, etc.),אִישׁJudges 14:193t 174noun indeclinablethirty; —1before singular noun:אַמָּהGenesis 6:153t., +, withבָּאַמָּהExodus 26:83t.;שָׁנָה2 Samuel 5:412t. (age of paternity, of Levitical or royal duty, etc.),אִישׁJudges 14:193t

H8141 שָׁנֶה
Definition:

10+; constructשְׁנַתGenesis 41:50+; suffixשְׁנָתוֺEzekiel 46:13+,שְׁנָתָהּLeviticus 14:102t.; dualשְׁנָתַיִםAmos 1:1+,תָ֑יִם-1 Kings 15:25+; pluralשָׁנִיםExodus 21:2+, constructשְׁנֵיGenesis 23:124t., 10+; constructשְׁנַתGenesis 41:50+; suffixשְׁנָתוֺEzekiel 46:13+,שְׁנָתָהּLeviticus 14:102t.; dualשְׁנָתַיִםAmos 1:1+,תָ֑יִם-1 Kings 15:25+; pluralשָׁנִיםExodus 21:2+, constructשְׁנֵיGenesis 23:124t.,

Possible Meanings:
  • year (semantic_range)
H7243 רְבִיעִי
Definition:

1429t.,רְבִעִי1 Chronicles 24:8;1 Chronicles 26:11; pluralרְבִיעִים2 Kings 15:12,רְבִעִים2 Kings 10:30;feminineabsoluteרְבִיעִית1 Kings 6:13t.,רְבִיעִתLeviticus 19:29,רְבִעִית1 Kings 6:37; 6t. +1 King 1429t.,רְבִעִי1 Chronicles 24:8;1 Chronicles 26:11; pluralרְבִיעִים2 Kings 15:12,רְבִעִים2 Kings 10:30;feminineabsoluteרְבִיעִית1 Kings 6:13t.,רְבִיעִתLeviticus 19:29,רְבִעִית1 Kings 6:37; 6t. +1 King

Possible Meanings:
  • fourth (semantic_range)
H2568 חָמֵשׁ
Definition:

694t. +Ezekiel 40:30(strike outᵐ5BHi-Sm Co; Co strike out also inEzekiel 40:25;Ezekiel 40:29;Ezekiel 40:33;Ezekiel 40:36) +Ezekiel 45:3Kt (where readfemininewith Qr); constructחֲמֵשׁGenesis 5:1067t. + 694t. +Ezekiel 40:30(strike outᵐ5BHi-Sm Co; Co strike out also inEzekiel 40:25;Ezekiel 40:29;Ezekiel 40:33;Ezekiel 40:36) +Ezekiel 45:3Kt (where readfemininewith Qr); constructחֲמֵשׁGenesis 5:1067t. +

Possible Meanings:
  • army (semantic_range)
  • five parts (semantic_range)
  • be firm strong (semantic_range)
  • be courageous (semantic_range)
H2320 חֹדֶשׁ
Definition:

11(feminineᵑ0Genesis 38:24butmasculineSam Di)(newness), new moon, month(on formation compare LgBN 144; on usage, names, etc., Muss-ArnJBL 1892, 72 ff., 160 ff.) —׳חabsoluteGenesis 7:11+; construct (ra 11(feminineᵑ0Genesis 38:24butmasculineSam Di)(newness), new moon, month(on formation compare LgBN 144; on usage, names, etc., Muss-ArnJBL 1892, 72 ff., 160 ff.) —׳חabsoluteGenesis 7:11+; construct (ra

H0589 אֲנַי
Definition:

17;Genesis 9:9,12 + often Following a participle as its subject (to express mostly either a true present or the futurum instans [immanent future])Genesis 18:17הַמְכַסֶּה אֲנִיAmos I hidingfrom Abraham 17;Genesis 9:9,12 + often Following a participle as its subject (to express mostly either a true present or the futurum instans [immanent future])Genesis 18:17הַמְכַסֶּה אֲנִיAmos I hidingfrom Abraham

Possible Meanings:
  • ships (semantic_range)
  • fleet (semantic_range)
H8432 תָּוֶךְ
Definition:

10+; constructתּוֺךְGenesis 1:6+;תּוֺכִי,תּוֺכוֺ, etc., 2 feminine singularתּוֺכֵּ֫ כִיPsalm 116:19;Psalm 135:9,תּוֺכֹהEzekiel 48:15,21,תּוֺכֲכֶםGenesis 23:9+,תּוֺכָ֫הְנָהEzekiel 16:53(Ges§ 91f); —mid 10+; constructתּוֺךְGenesis 1:6+;תּוֺכִי,תּוֺכוֺ, etc., 2 feminine singularתּוֺכֵּ֫ כִיPsalm 116:19;Psalm 135:9,תּוֺכֹהEzekiel 48:15,21,תּוֺכֲכֶםGenesis 23:9+,תּוֺכָ֫הְנָהEzekiel 16:53(Ges§ 91f); —mid

Possible Meanings:
  • midst (semantic_range)
H1473 גּוֹלָה
Definition:

638t.,גֹּלָהIsaiah 49:21;1 Chronicles 5:22;Esther 2:6;Nahum 3:10; —1collectiveexiles,Esther 2:6;Jeremiah 29:1;Ezekiel 1:1;Ezekiel 3:11,15;Ezekiel 11:24,25;Nahum 3:10;כלהֿגולהJeremiah 28:6;Jeremiah 29: 638t.,גֹּלָהIsaiah 49:21;1 Chronicles 5:22;Esther 2:6;Nahum 3:10; —1collectiveexiles,Esther 2:6;Jeremiah 29:1;Ezekiel 1:1;Ezekiel 3:11,15;Ezekiel 11:24,25;Nahum 3:10;כלהֿגולהJeremiah 28:6;Jeremiah 29:

H5921 עַל
Definition:

“The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the “The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the

Possible Meanings:
  • upon (semantic_range)
  • on account of (semantic_range)
  • to (semantic_range)
H5104 נָהָר
Definition:

10stream, river; — absolute׳נGenesis 2:10+; constructנְהַרDeuteronomy 1:7+; pluralנְהָרִיםIsaiah 18:274t., constructנַהֲרֵיIsaiah 18:12t; but oftenerנְהָר(וֺ)תIsaiah 19:623t.; constructנַהֲרוֺת2 Kings 10stream, river; — absolute׳נGenesis 2:10+; constructנְהַרDeuteronomy 1:7+; pluralנְהָרִיםIsaiah 18:274t., constructנַהֲרֵיIsaiah 18:12t; but oftenerנְהָר(וֺ)תIsaiah 19:623t.; constructנַהֲרוֺת2 Kings

H3529 כְּבָר
Definition:

1,3;Ezekiel 3:15,23;Ezekiel 10:15,20,22;Ezekiel 43:3(compare SmEzekiel 1:1DelPar. 47 f., 184).II.כבר(√ of following; ?to intertwine, net; Late Hebrewכָּבַרsiftis denominative fromכְּבָרָה).Topical Lex 1,3;Ezekiel 3:15,23;Ezekiel 10:15,20,22;Ezekiel 43:3(compare SmEzekiel 1:1DelPar. 47 f., 184).II.כבר(√ of following; ?to intertwine, net; Late Hebrewכָּבַרsiftis denominative fromכְּבָרָה).Topical Lex

H6605 פָתַח
Definition:

A primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve -- appear, break forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-)grave(-n), loose (self), (be, be set) op A primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve -- appear, break forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-)grave(-n), loose (self), (be, be set) op

Possible Meanings:
  • opened (semantic_range)
  • were opened (semantic_range)
H8064 שָׁמַיִם
Definition:

28only pluralשָׁמַ֫יִם421(Sta§324 a)heavens, sky(Late Hebrewid.; Assyrianšamûpluralšamê, šamûtu, alsošamâmu, compare Phoenicianשמם; SabeanסמהHomChr 46, 124; ArabicEthiopicAramaicשְׁמַיָּא; Palmyrene, 28only pluralשָׁמַ֫יִם421(Sta§324 a)heavens, sky(Late Hebrewid.; Assyrianšamûpluralšamê, šamûtu, alsošamâmu, compare Phoenicianשמם; SabeanסמהHomChr 46, 124; ArabicEthiopicAramaicשְׁמַיָּא; Palmyrene,

H7200 רָאָה
Definition:

7, compareריחspectacleDeuteronomy 1:12; Sabeanראיsee, expectDHMZMG xxix (1875), 506,599; Arabicsee, so Ethiopicᵑ7רֵו,רֵיוָאhumanappearance, features, etc. (compare Hebrewרְָאִי2)); —Qal1141Perfect3mas 7, compareריחspectacleDeuteronomy 1:12; Sabeanראיsee, expectDHMZMG xxix (1875), 506,599; Arabicsee, so Ethiopicᵑ7רֵו,רֵיוָאhumanappearance, features, etc. (compare Hebrewרְָאִי2)); —Qal1141Perfect3mas

Possible Meanings:
  • vision (semantic_range)
H4759 מַרְאָה
Definition:

Feminine ofmar'eh; a vision; also (causatively) a mirror -- looking glass, vision.see HEBREWmar'ehBrown-Driver-BriggsI.מַרְאָהnoun femininevision, as means of revelation:׳מabsoluteNumbers 12:6(E),1 Sa Feminine ofmar'eh; a vision; also (causatively) a mirror -- looking glass, vision.see HEBREWmar'ehBrown-Driver-BriggsI.מַרְאָהnoun femininevision, as means of revelation:׳מabsoluteNumbers 12:6(E),1 Sa

Possible Meanings:
  • sight (semantic_range)
  • appearance (semantic_range)
  • sight (semantic_range)
  • phenomenon (semantic_range)
H0430 אֱלהִים
Definition:

33; on number of occurrences ofאֵל,אֱלוֺהַּ,אֱלֹהִיםcompare also Nesl. c,)1pluralin number.a.rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power 33; on number of occurrences ofאֵל,אֱלוֺהַּ,אֱלֹהִיםcompare also Nesl. c,)1pluralin number.a.rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power

Possible Meanings:
  • divine ones (semantic_range)
  • angels (semantic_range)
  • gods (semantic_range)

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