Ezekiel 1:11
New International Version
Such were their faces. They each had two wings spreading out upward, each wing touching that of the creature on either side; and each had two other wings covering its body.

New Living Translation
Each had two pairs of outstretched wings—one pair stretched out to touch the wings of the living beings on either side of it, and the other pair covered its body.

English Standard Version
Such were their faces. And their wings were spread out above. Each creature had two wings, each of which touched the wing of another, while two covered their bodies.

Berean Standard Bible
Such were their faces. Their wings were spread upward; each had two wings touching the wings of the creature on either side, and two wings covering its body.

King James Bible
Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.

New King James Version
Thus were their faces. Their wings stretched upward; two wings of each one touched one another, and two covered their bodies.

New American Standard Bible
Such were their faces. Their wings were spread out above; each had two touching another being, and two covering their bodies.

NASB 1995
Such were their faces. Their wings were spread out above; each had two touching another being, and two covering their bodies.

NASB 1977
Such were their faces. Their wings were spread out above; each had two touching another being, and two covering their bodies.

Legacy Standard Bible
And such were their faces. Their wings were spread out above; each had two touching another being, and two covering their bodies.

Amplified Bible
Such were their faces. Their wings were stretched out upward; two [wings] of each one were touching another [the wings of the beings on either side of it], and [the remaining] two [wings of each being] were covering their bodies.

Christian Standard Bible
That is what their faces were like. Their wings were spread upward; each had two wings touching that of another and two wings covering its body.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
That is what their faces were like. Their wings were spread upward; each had two wings touching that of another and two wings covering its body.

American Standard Version
And their faces and their wings were separate above; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.

Contemporary English Version
Two wings of each creature were spread out and touched the wings of the creatures on either side. The other two wings of each creature were folded against its body.

English Revised Version
And their faces and their wings were separate above; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
That is what their faces looked like. Their wings were spread out, pointing upward. Each creature had two wings with which they touched each other. The other two wings covered their bodies.

Good News Translation
Two wings of each creature were raised so that they touched the tips of the wings of the creatures next to it, and their other two wings were folded against their bodies.

International Standard Version
That's what their faces were like. Their wings spread out above and around them, one pair overlapping another, with one pair covering themselves.

Majority Standard Bible
Such were their faces. Their wings were spread upward; each had two wings touching the wings of the creature on either side, and two wings covering its body.

NET Bible
Their wings were spread out above them; each had two wings touching the wings of one of the other beings on either side and two wings covering their bodies.

New Heart English Bible
Such were their faces. Their wings were spread out above. Two wings of each one touched another, and two covered their bodies.

Webster's Bible Translation
Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.

World English Bible
Such were their faces. Their wings were spread out above. Two wings of each one touched another, and two covered their bodies.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And their faces and their wings dividing from above, of each [are] two joining together, and two are covering their bodies.

Young's Literal Translation
And their faces and their wings are separate from above, to each are two joining together, and two are covering their bodies.

Smith's Literal Translation
And their faces: and their wings spread out from above; to each of the two being joined each, and two covering their bodies.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And their faces, and their wings were stretched upward: two wings of every one were joined, and two covered their bodies:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Their faces and their wings were extended above: two wings of each one were joined together, and two covered their bodies.

New American Bible
Such were their faces. Their wings were spread out above. On each one, two wings touched one another, and the other two wings covered the body.

New Revised Standard Version
such were their faces. Their wings were spread out above; each creature had two wings, each of which touched the wing of another, while two covered their bodies.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And their faces and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of each creature were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And their faces and their wings were extending from above; two joined one to the other, and two covered their bodies
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thus were their faces; and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the four had their wings spread out above; each one had two joined to one another, and two covered their bodies.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Four Living Creatures
10The form of their faces was that of a man, and each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, the face of an ox on the left side, and also the face of an eagle. 11Such were their faces. Their wings were spread upward; each had two wings touching the wings of the creature on either side, and two wings covering its body. 12Each creature went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they moved.…

Cross References
Isaiah 6:2
Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.

Revelation 4:7-8
The first living creature was like a lion, the second like a calf, the third had a face like a man, and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. / And each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around and within. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

Exodus 25:20
And the cherubim are to have wings that spread upward, overshadowing the mercy seat. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the mercy seat.

Revelation 4:6
And before the throne was something like a sea of glass, as clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, covered with eyes in front and back.

Revelation 4:10
the twenty-four elders fall down before the One seated on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying:

Isaiah 6:6
Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar.

Revelation 5:8
When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

Revelation 5:14
And the four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

1 Kings 6:27
And he placed the cherubim inside the innermost room of the temple. Since their wings were spread out, the wing of the first cherub touched one wall, while the wing of the second cherub touched the other wall, and in the middle of the room their wingtips touched.

Revelation 7:11
And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. And they fell facedown before the throne and worshiped God,

Revelation 19:4
And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne, saying: “Amen, Hallelujah!”

1 Kings 8:7
For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its poles.

Exodus 37:9
And the cherubim had wings that spread upward, overshadowing the mercy seat. The cherubim faced each other, looking toward the mercy seat.

Revelation 4:4
Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and on these thrones sat twenty-four elders dressed in white, with golden crowns on their heads.

Revelation 4:9
And whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the One seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever,


Treasury of Scripture

Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.

and their

Ezekiel 10:16,19
And when the cherubims went, the wheels went by them: and when the cherubims lifted up their wings to mount up from the earth, the same wheels also turned not from beside them…

stretched upward.

Ezekiel 1:23
And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other: every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies.

Isaiah 6:2
Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

Jump to Previous
Bodies Body Covered Covering Creature Either Faces Joined Joining Separate Side Spread Stretched Together Touched Touching Upward Wing Wings
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Bodies Body Covered Covering Creature Either Faces Joined Joining Separate Side Spread Stretched Together Touched Touching Upward Wing Wings
Ezekiel 1
1. The time of Ezekiel's prophecy at Chebar.
4. His vision of four cherubim;
15. of the four wheels;
26. and of the glory of God.














Their faces were turned
In Ezekiel 1:11, the phrase "Their faces were turned" refers to the four living creatures described in the prophet's vision. The Hebrew word for "faces" is "פָּנִים" (panim), which often signifies presence or countenance. In the context of Ezekiel's vision, it suggests a readiness and attentiveness to God's commands. The turning of their faces indicates their ability to move in any direction without turning their bodies, symbolizing the omnipresence and omniscience of God. This reflects the creatures' role as divine messengers, always prepared to execute God's will.

upward
The direction "upward" signifies a heavenly orientation, pointing towards God. In biblical symbolism, upward movement often represents a connection to the divine, aspiration, and worship. The creatures' faces being turned upward suggests their constant focus on God, highlighting their role as beings who serve and glorify Him. This upward orientation serves as a reminder for believers to keep their focus on God, seeking His guidance and presence in all aspects of life.

each had two wings
The phrase "each had two wings" emphasizes the creatures' supernatural nature. Wings in biblical literature often symbolize swiftness, protection, and divine presence. The Hebrew word for wings, "כָּנָף" (kanaph), can also imply covering or shelter. The presence of wings on these creatures indicates their role as protectors and messengers of God, able to swiftly carry out His commands. For believers, this imagery serves as a reminder of God's protection and the assurance that His messengers are always ready to act on His behalf.

covering their bodies
The phrase "covering their bodies" suggests modesty and reverence. In the ancient Near Eastern context, covering oneself was a sign of respect and humility, especially in the presence of the divine. The creatures' wings covering their bodies indicate their awareness of God's holiness and their own position as created beings. This act of covering can inspire believers to approach God with humility and reverence, recognizing His holiness and our need for His grace.

and each had two wings
Reiterating "and each had two wings" underscores the completeness and symmetry of the creatures. The repetition emphasizes their readiness and ability to serve God fully. In biblical numerology, the number two often signifies witness and testimony. The duality of the wings may symbolize the creatures' role in bearing witness to God's glory and executing His will. For Christians, this serves as a call to be witnesses of God's love and truth in the world, living lives that reflect His glory.

flying
The action of "flying" conveys movement, freedom, and the ability to transcend earthly limitations. In the biblical context, flying often represents the swift execution of God's will and the ability to rise above earthly concerns. The creatures' ability to fly signifies their readiness to serve God and their freedom to move according to His direction. For believers, this imagery can inspire a sense of spiritual freedom and the call to rise above worldly distractions, focusing on fulfilling God's purposes with eagerness and joy.

(11) Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward.--Rather, and their wings and their faces were separated above. The word never has the sense of stretched, but always that of separated or divided, as given in the margin. Each cherub was essentially one creature, and yet (not Janus-like, with four faces upon one head) their heads and their wings were separated above, and when they were in flight the two lifted wings touched on either side the wing of the next cherub, while two were used to veil their bodies. There is much of emphatic repetition throughout the description.

Verse 11. - Thus were their faces: and, etc.; better, with Revised Version, and their faces and their wings were separate above; i.e. were stretched upward, touching the neighbouring wings at the tip, and so "joined," while the other two covered the bodies and were never stretched (comp. Isaiah 6:2).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Such were their faces.
וּפְנֵיהֶ֕ם (ū·p̄ə·nê·hem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6440: The face

Their wings
וְכַנְפֵיהֶ֥ם (wə·ḵan·p̄ê·hem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3671: An edge, extremity, a wing, a flap, a quarter, a pinnacle

were spread
פְּרֻד֖וֹת (pə·ru·ḏō·wṯ)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine plural
Strong's 6504: To break through, spread, separate

upward;
מִלְמָ֑עְלָה (mil·mā·‘ə·lāh)
Preposition-m, Preposition-l | Adverb | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4605: The upper part, with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top

each [had]
לְאִ֗ישׁ (lə·’îš)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

two [wings]
שְׁ֚תַּיִם (ta·yim)
Number - fd
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

touching
חֹבְר֣וֹת (ḥō·ḇə·rō·wṯ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 2266: To unite, be joined, to tie a magic knot or spell, to charm

the wings of the creature on either side,
אִ֔ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

and two
וּשְׁתַּ֣יִם (ū·šə·ta·yim)
Conjunctive waw | Number - fd
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

wings covering
מְכַסּ֔וֹת (mə·ḵas·sō·wṯ)
Verb - Piel - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 3680: To plump, fill up hollows, to cover

its
אֵ֖ת (’êṯ)
Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

body.
גְּוִיֹתֵיהֶֽנָה׃‪‬ (gə·wi·yō·ṯê·he·nāh)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person feminine plural
Strong's 1472: A body, corpse


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 1:11 Their faces and their wings were separate (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 1:10
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