Ezekiel 1:4

I looked. Here begins a description of what passed before the prophet’s astonished gaze. The vision concerning the four living creatures, the four wheels, the firmament, and the throne has been considered the most obscure of all the OT visions. It is true that certain features appear strikingly unusual, but this ought not to deter us from seeking an understanding of that which God has seen fit first to present and further to have recorded and preserved in His Sacred Word. Much can be understood, and perhaps nearly all, of what God intended to teach through this vision.

Out of the north. North was the direction from which the Assyrian and Chaldean conquerors were accustomed to descend upon Jerusalem (see on Jer. 1:14). It has been suggested that this may have been the reason why the whirlwind, which brought with it the cloud concealing the divine presence and the bow of promise, was presented as coming from that direction. Above the cruel monarchs of Assyria and Babylon the God of mercy and truth was enthroned (5T 752). Ezekiel was filled with gloomy forebodings over the desolations of his land, and needed reassurance.

A great cloud. Doubtless a symbol of the divine presence (see Ex. 19:9-16; Ps. 50:3).

Infolding itself. The clause may literally be translated, “and a fire taking hold of itself.” The form of the Hebrew verb here used suggests the fire gathering itself up in fresh outbursts of flame.

Amber. Heb. chashmal, a word occurring only here, in v. 27, and in ch. 8:2. The derivation is uncertain and any translation is merely conjectural. The RSV renders it “gleaming bronze.” The LXX reads, elektron, “electrum,” an alloy of silver and gold.

This polished metal, glowing in the light of the revolving flames, added to the dazzling brightness and splendor of the scene.