Ezekiel 1:12
New International Version
Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they went.

New Living Translation
They went in whatever direction the spirit chose, and they moved straight forward in any direction without turning around.

English Standard Version
And each went straight forward. Wherever the spirit would go, they went, without turning as they went.

Berean Standard Bible
Each creature went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they moved.

King James Bible
And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went.

New King James Version
And each one went straight forward; they went wherever the spirit wanted to go, and they did not turn when they went.

New American Standard Bible
And each went straight forward; wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go, without turning as they went.

NASB 1995
And each went straight forward; wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go, without turning as they went.

NASB 1977
And each went straight forward; wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go, without turning as they went.

Legacy Standard Bible
And each went straight forward; wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go, without turning as they went.

Amplified Bible
And each went straight forward; wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go, without turning as they went.

Christian Standard Bible
Each creature went straight ahead. Wherever the Spirit wanted to go, they went without turning as they moved.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Each creature went straight ahead. Wherever the Spirit wanted to go, they went without turning as they moved.

American Standard Version
And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; they turned not when they went.

Contemporary English Version
The four living creatures went wherever the Spirit led them, and they moved together without turning their bodies, because each creature faced straight ahead.

English Revised Version
And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; they turned not when they went.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Each of the creatures went straight ahead. They went wherever their spirit wanted to go, and they didn't turn as they moved.

Good News Translation
Each creature faced all four directions, and so the group could go wherever they wished, without having to turn.

International Standard Version
Each moved in straight directions. Wherever they decided to go, they went without turning themselves.

Majority Standard Bible
Each creature went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they moved.

NET Bible
Each moved straight ahead--wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they went.

New Heart English Bible
Each one went straight forward: where the spirit would go, they went; they didn't turn when they went.

Webster's Bible Translation
And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went.

World English Bible
Each one went straight forward. Where the spirit was to go, they went. They didn’t turn when they went.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And they each go straight forward, to where the Spirit is to go, they go, they do not turn around in their going.

Young's Literal Translation
And each straight forward they go, whither the spirit is to go, they go, they turn not round in their going.

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will go each over against his face; to where the spirit will be there to go, they will go; they will not turn in their going.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And every one of them went straight forward: whither the impulse of the spirit was to go, thither they went: and they turned not when they went.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And each one of them advanced before his face. Wherever the impetus of the spirit was to go, there they went. And they did not turn as they advanced.

New American Bible
Each went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they went; they did not change direction when they moved.

New Revised Standard Version
Each moved straight ahead; wherever the spirit would go, they went, without turning as they went.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they went every one straight forward; wherever the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they were going on forward to the place that The Spirit was going, and they were not turning around
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And they went every one straight forward; whither the spirit was to go, they went; they turned not when they went.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And each one went straight forward: wherever the spirit was going they went, and turned not back.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Four Living Creatures
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. 13In the midst of the living creatures was the appearance of glowing coals of fire, or of torches. Fire moved back and forth between the living creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it.…

Cross References
Revelation 4:6-8
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. / 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!”

Revelation 1:14-16
The hair of His head was white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like a blazing fire. / His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters. / He held in His right hand seven stars, and a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.

Isaiah 6:2-3
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. / And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.”

Daniel 7:9-10
As I continued to watch, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. / A river of fire was flowing, coming out from His presence. Thousands upon thousands attended Him, and myriads upon myriads stood before Him. The court was convened, and the books were opened.

Revelation 19:11-14
Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war. / He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows. / He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God. ...

Revelation 5:6-8
Then I saw a Lamb who appeared to have been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. / And He came and took the scroll from the right hand of the One seated on the throne. / 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 14:4
These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they are virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They have been redeemed from among men as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.

Revelation 15:7
Then one of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever.

Revelation 6:1-8
Then I watched as the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!” / So I looked and saw a white horse, and its rider held a bow. And he was given a crown, and he rode out to overcome and conquer. / And when the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” ...

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 8:2-5
And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and they were given seven trumpets. / Then another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. / And the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, rose up before God from the hand of the angel. ...

Revelation 10:1-3
Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head. His face was like the sun, and his legs were like pillars of fire. / He held in his hand a small scroll, which lay open. He placed his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land. / Then he cried out in a loud voice like the roar of a lion. And when he cried out, the seven thunders sounded their voices.

Revelation 11:15-19
Then the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and loud voices called out in heaven: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.” / And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, / saying: “We give thanks to You, O Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign. ...

Revelation 12:7-9
Then a war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. / But the dragon was not strong enough, and no longer was any place found in heaven for him and his angels. / And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Revelation 13:1-4
Then I saw a beast with ten horns and seven heads rising out of the sea. There were ten royal crowns on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. / The beast I saw was like a leopard, with the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. / One of the heads of the beast appeared to have been mortally wounded. But the mortal wound was healed, and the whole world marveled and followed the beast. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And they went every one straight forward: where the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went.

they went every

Ezekiel 1:9,17
Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward…

Ezekiel 10:22
And the likeness of their faces was the same faces which I saw by the river of Chebar, their appearances and themselves: they went every one straight forward.

whither

Ezekiel 1:20,21
Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels…

Hebrews 1:14
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

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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.














Each creature went straight ahead
The phrase "Each creature went straight ahead" emphasizes the unwavering determination and purpose of the living creatures described in Ezekiel's vision. The Hebrew word for "straight" is "yashar," which conveys a sense of uprightness and directness. This suggests that the creatures, often interpreted as cherubim, are guided by divine will, moving with a singular focus that reflects God's perfect order and purpose. In a historical context, this imagery would resonate with the Israelites, who were called to follow God's path without deviation, much like the creatures in the vision.

Wherever the spirit would go, they would go
The phrase "Wherever the spirit would go, they would go" highlights the creatures' complete submission to the Spirit's guidance. The Hebrew word for "spirit" is "ruach," which can mean breath, wind, or spirit, indicating a dynamic and life-giving force. This reflects the biblical theme of being led by the Spirit of God, as seen throughout Scripture. The creatures' movement according to the Spirit's direction serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of yielding to God's guidance in our lives, trusting that His Spirit leads us in paths of righteousness.

without turning as they moved
The phrase "without turning as they moved" underscores the creatures' steadfastness and consistency. The Hebrew root "panah" means to turn or face, and its negation here suggests an unwavering commitment to their course. This imagery can be seen as a metaphor for faithfulness and constancy in one's spiritual journey. In the broader biblical narrative, it calls believers to remain steadfast in their faith, not swayed by external circumstances or distractions, but focused on fulfilling God's will with integrity and perseverance.

(12) Whither the spirit was to go.--The one informing spirit which animated all the living creatures alike, and in accordance with which all their movements were ordered.

Verse 12. - Whither the spirit was to go, etc. The description passes on to the originating force of the movement of the mysterious forms. The Hebrew noun may mean "breath," "wind," or "spirit," the meanings often overlapping one another. Here the higher meaning is probably the true one. The "Spirit" (as in Genesis 1:1; Genesis 6:3; Psalm 104:30; Psalm 139:7; Isaiah 40:7, 13; and in Ezekiel himself, passim) is the Divine Source of life in all its forms, especially in its highest form, moral, intellectual, spiritual. It is this which gave unity and harmony to the movements of the "living creatures," as it gives a life, harmony, and unity to all the manifold manifestations of the might of God of which they were the symbols. (On "they turned not," see note on ver. 9.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Each
וְאִ֛ישׁ (wə·’îš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

[creature] went
יֵלֵ֑כוּ (yê·lê·ḵū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

straight ahead.
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Wherever
אֶ֣ל (’el)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the spirit
הָר֤וּחַ (hā·rū·aḥ)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

would go,
לָלֶ֙כֶת֙ (lā·le·ḵeṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

they would go,
יֵלֵ֔כוּ (yê·lê·ḵū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

without
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

turning
יִסַּ֖בּוּ (yis·sab·bū)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5437: To turn about, go around, surround

as they moved.
בְּלֶכְתָּֽן׃ (bə·leḵ·tān)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 1:12 Each one went straight forward: where (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 1:11
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