ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Ezekiel 1

Ezek. 1:1–3:27 Inaugural Vision. The story of Ezekiel’s call as a prophet is the most complex of all the “prophetic call stories” in the OT. It is also one of the most carefully structured. Ezekiel has a vision of the glory of God (1:1–28). He receives his prophetic commission through swallowing a scroll that God offers him (2:1–3:11). Doing so strengthens him and trains him in obedience. After the glory of God withdraws (3:12–15), Ezekiel is appointed to be a “watchman” (3:16–21). Then he has another encounter with God’s glory (3:22–27).

Ezek. 1:1 The mention of the Chebar canal means that Ezekiel was near Nippur. He is not in the city of Babylon itself (see map). Visions of God links this vision (1:4–3:15) with 8:3 and 40:2.

Ezek. 1:2 Probably the “thirtieth year” of v. 1 should be linked with the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin (593 b.c.). Jehoiachin’s exile is the reference point for dates throughout the book.

Ezek. 1:4 A stormy wind announces the Lord’s approach, as in Job 38:1. The north is associated with God’s home (see Ps. 48:2), and in Jeremiah it indicates the source of divine judgment (Jer. 1:13–15). The phrase as it were shows that Ezekiel is struggling for the right words to describe the vision.

Ezek. 1:9 Their wings touched recalls the description of the cherubim in the Most Holy Place in Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 6:27). The four-sided form of the creatures ensures that they can do the impossible: go straight forward, in any direction, but without turning.

Ezek. 1:10 The creatures’ shape was mainly human, but each had four faces. Many suggestions have been made to explain their symbolism. Certainly each creature is majestic in its realm, whether among the wild (lion) and domestic (ox) animals, or in the air (eagle).

Ezek. 1:12 The term spirit can refer either to God’s spirit or to wind. Given v. 20, it seems likely that this is a reference to a “spirit” distinct from that of the living creatures (see esv footnote).

Ezek. 1:22–23 The term expanse appears four times in the immediate context (vv. 22–23, 25–26). Compare Gen. 1:6–8, 14–20, where it is used nine times. There the expanse forms the dome of the sky. Here it is a horizontal layer above the wings of the creatures. The rest of the vision is beyond the expanse (Ezek. 1:26–28).

Ezek. 1:28 bow . . . on the day of rain. Given the threatening message that follows, the bow is likely a symbolic reference to the Lord sending arrows of lightning (see Ps. 7:12–13; Hab. 3:9). The glory of the Lord is his demonstrated presence with his people. It was visible as a bright light in the wilderness (Ex. 16:7) and accessible through the sanctuary (Ex. 40:34–35). In Ezekiel the term appears in Ezek. 1:28; 3:12; 23; 8:4; 9:3; 10:4; 18–19; 11:22–23; 43:2–5; 44:4. This glory will leave the impure temple (chs. 9–11) and then will return to the restored temple (43:2–5).