Ezekiel 1:17
New International Version
As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the creatures faced; the wheels did not change direction as the creatures went.

New Living Translation
The beings could move in any of the four directions they faced, without turning as they moved.

English Standard Version
When they went, they went in any of their four directions without turning as they went.

Berean Standard Bible
As they moved, they went in any of the four directions, without pivoting as they moved.

King James Bible
When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went.

New King James Version
When they moved, they went toward any one of four directions; they did not turn aside when they went.

New American Standard Bible
Whenever they moved, they moved in any of their four directions without turning as they moved.

NASB 1995
Whenever they moved, they moved in any of their four directions without turning as they moved.

NASB 1977
Whenever they moved, they moved in any of their four directions, without turning as they moved.

Legacy Standard Bible
Whenever they went, they went in any of their four directions without turning as they went.

Amplified Bible
Whenever they moved, they went in any [one] of their four directions without turning as they moved.

Christian Standard Bible
When they moved, they went in any of the four directions, without turning as they moved.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When they moved, they went in any of the four directions, without pivoting as they moved.

American Standard Version
When they went, they went in their four directions: they turned not when they went.

Contemporary English Version
so that they could move in any direction without turning.

English Revised Version
When they went, they went upon their four sides: they turned not when they went.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Whenever they moved, they moved in any of the four directions without turning as they moved.

Good News Translation
so that the wheels could move in any of the four directions.

International Standard Version
Whenever the four moved, no matter which of four directions, they moved without turning around.

Majority Standard Bible
As they moved, they went in any of the four directions, without pivoting as they moved.

NET Bible
When they moved they would go in any of the four directions they faced without turning as they moved.

New Heart English Bible
When they went, they went in their four directions: they didn't turn when they went.

Webster's Bible Translation
When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they returned not when they went.

World English Bible
When they went, they went in their four directions. They didn’t turn when they went.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
On their four sides, in their going they go, they do not turn around in their going.

Young's Literal Translation
On their four sides, in their going they go, they turn not round in their going.

Smith's Literal Translation
In their going they will go upon their four sides: they will not turn in their going.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
When they went, they went by their four parts: and they turned not when they went.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Going forth, they went by means of their four parts. And they did not turn as they went.

New American Bible
When they moved, they went in any of the four directions without veering as they moved.

New Revised Standard Version
When they moved, they moved in any of the four directions without veering as they moved.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When they went, they went upon four sides; and they turned not when they went; and wherever the first one turned to go, the other went after it, and turned not.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
On their four sides they were going on, and were not turning around, and to the place that their head was turning, to go after it they were going on and they were not turning
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
When they went, they went toward their four sides; they turned not when they went.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
They went on their four sides: they turned not as they went;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Four Wheels
16The workmanship of the wheels looked like the gleam of beryl, and all four had the same likeness. Their workmanship looked like a wheel within a wheel. 17As they moved, they went in any of the four directions, without pivoting as they moved. 18Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around.…

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!”

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 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 6:1-4
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple. / 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.” ...

Revelation 10:1
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.

Zechariah 6:1-8
And again I lifted up my eyes and saw four chariots coming out from between two mountains—mountains of bronze. / The first chariot had red horses, the second black horses, / the third white horses, and the fourth dappled horses—all of them strong. ...

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. ...

Daniel 10:5-6
I lifted up my eyes, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. / His body was like beryl, his face like the brilliance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of polished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.

Revelation 5:6
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.

Isaiah 28:16
So this is what the Lord GOD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.

Revelation 21:19-21
The foundations of the city walls were adorned with every kind of precious stone: The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, / the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. / And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, with each gate consisting of a single pearl. The main street of the city was pure gold, as clear as glass.

Daniel 8:15-17
While I, Daniel, was watching the vision and trying to understand it, there stood before me one having the appearance of a man. / And I heard the voice of a man calling from between the banks of the Ulai: “Gabriel, explain the vision to this man.” / As he came near to where I stood, I was terrified and fell facedown. “Son of man,” he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.”

Revelation 15:2
And I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, beside which stood those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name. They were holding harps from God,

Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.

Revelation 11:19
Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.


Treasury of Scripture

When they went, they went on their four sides: and they turned not when they went.

and

Ezekiel 1:9,12
Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward…

Ezekiel 10:1-11:25
Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne…

Isaiah 55:11
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

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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.














As they moved
The phrase "as they moved" indicates the dynamic and active nature of the vision Ezekiel is witnessing. The Hebrew root for "moved" is "halak," which often signifies walking or going. This movement suggests purpose and direction, reflecting God's active involvement in the world. The vision of the living creatures moving emphasizes the divine presence that is not static but continually working in the lives of His people. Historically, this movement can be seen as a representation of God's guidance and sovereignty over the affairs of nations and individuals.

they went
The repetition of movement with "they went" underscores the intentionality and determination of the living creatures. The Hebrew word "yalak" is used here, which also means to go or proceed. This reinforces the idea of divine mission and the unstoppable nature of God's will. In a broader scriptural context, this can be seen as a reminder of the Great Commission, where believers are called to go and make disciples, moving with purpose and divine backing.

in any of the four directions
This phrase highlights the omnidirectional capability of the living creatures, symbolizing God's omnipresence and omnipotence. The number four often represents universality in the Bible, as seen in the four corners of the earth. This suggests that God's reach and authority extend to all creation, leaving no place untouched by His presence. Archaeologically, the four directions could also relate to the cardinal points, emphasizing the completeness of God's dominion.

without turning
The phrase "without turning" signifies unwavering focus and determination. The Hebrew word "panah" means to turn or face, and its negation here suggests a steadfastness in purpose. This can be inspirational for believers, encouraging them to remain focused on their spiritual journey without being distracted by worldly concerns. Scripturally, it echoes the call to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, as mentioned in Hebrews 12:2.

as they moved
The repetition of "as they moved" at the end of the verse reinforces the continuous and purposeful action of the living creatures. It serves as a bookend to the verse, emphasizing the relentless and consistent nature of God's work. This can inspire believers to remain diligent and persistent in their faith, trusting that God is always at work, even when His movements are not immediately visible. Historically, this reflects the enduring nature of God's promises and His faithfulness throughout generations.

(17) Upon their four sides--i.e., forwards or backwards upon the one wheel, and to the right or the left upon the other. Four directions are considered throughout the vision as representing all directions, just as elsewhere the four winds represent all winds, and the four corners of the earth the whole earth.

Verse 17. - When they went, etc. The meaning seems to be that the relative position of the wheels and the living creatures was not altered by motion. On "they turned not," see note on ver. 9. All suggests the idea of orderly and harmonious working.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
As they moved,
בְּלֶכְתָּ֣ם (bə·leḵ·tām)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

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

in
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

any of the four
אַרְבַּ֥עַת (’ar·ba·‘aṯ)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 702: Four

directions,
רִבְעֵיהֶ֖ן (riḇ·‘ê·hen)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine plural
Strong's 7253: Fourth part, four sides

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

pivoting
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 1:17 When they went they went in their (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 1:16
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