Ezekiel 1:22-25

D. The Platform 1:22-25

TRANSLATION

(22) And over the heads of the living creatures was something like a platform, gleaming terribly like ice, stretched forth over their heads above. (23) And under the platform their wings were straight one to another. Each one had two wings covering his body on either side.[94] (24) And I heard the sound of their wings like the sound of great waters, as the sound of the Almighty as they went, the sound of noise like the sound of an encampment. When they stood still they let down their wings. (25) And from above the platform which was over their head came a voice when they stood and let their wings down.

[94] Literally, Each one had two covering on this side and each one had two covering on that side, their bodies.

COMMENTS

Over the heads[95] of the creatures was what appeared to be a platform (raqia-').[96] It is not certain how this platform was supported, whether by the wings of the cherubim or by some other means.[97] The platform was gleaming like terrible ice (qerach). The ice was terrible in the sense of being awesome because of its glittering brightness (Ezekiel 1:22). In this dazzling platform the glories of heaven are symbolized. In Revelation 4:6 this platform becomes a sea of glass. Many commentators feel that this expanse (KJV, firmament) was dome-shaped. But there is really no proof of this in the word itself, nor in the context here. The entire persons of the living creatures including their outstretched wings were under the platform. Each creature had one pair of wings stretched straight out, and another pair modestly covering their bodies (Ezekiel 1:23).

[95] KJV has upon the heads, but the RSV, ASV, and NASB rendering over is to be preferred.

[96] Wrongly translated firmament in KJV. The Hebrew word suggests a thin, flat area, perhaps of hammered metal. In Genesis 1:6 and elsewhere the word is used of the expanse of the heavens.

[97] Ellison (EMM, p. 24) feels it is better to regard the wings of the cherubim as forming a protective square around the throne. Cf. Revelation 4:6.

The audio portion of the vision is referred to in Ezekiel 1:24-25. The four pairs of outstretched wings vibrated powerfully as the throne chariot moved. Three similes are employed to try to depict the awesome sound produced by the theophonic chariot. The noise was like that produced (1) by great (or many) wafers; (2) by the voice of the Almighty, i.e., rolling thunder,[98] and (3) by an army on the move. When the movement of the chariot ceased, the living creatures lowered their wings (Ezekiel 1:24) and consequently the dreadful noise ceased.

[98] Cf. Job 37:4-5; Psalms 29:3; Psalms 29:5; Revelation 10:3.

The movement of the throne-chariot was directed by a voice which came from above the platform. This voice must be that of God.[99] No words are attributed to Him at this point, but the author here prepares the way for the later words of that One who was enthroned above the living creatures (Ezekiel 1:25).

[99] Currey (DC, p. 22) thinks the reference is to the voices which were praising God above the tumult in Ezekiel 3:12.