Ezekiel 1:27 From what seemed to be His waist up, I saw a gleam like amber, with what looked like fire within it all around. And from what seemed to be His waist down, I saw what looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded Him.

◄ Ezekiel 1:27 ►

New International Version
I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him.

New Living Translation
From what appeared to be his waist up, he looked like gleaming amber, flickering like a fire. And from his waist down, he looked like a burning flame, shining with splendor.

English Standard Version
And upward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were gleaming metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed all around. And downward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him.

Berean Standard Bible
From what seemed to be His waist up, I saw a gleam like amber, with what looked like fire within it all around. And from what seemed to be His waist down, I saw what looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded Him.

King James Bible
And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.

New King James Version
Also from the appearance of His waist and upward I saw, as it were, the color of amber with the appearance of fire all around within it; and from the appearance of His waist and downward I saw, as it were, the appearance of fire with brightness all around.

New American Standard Bible
Then I noticed from the appearance of His waist and upward something like gleaming metal that looked like fire all around within it, and from the appearance of His waist and downward I saw something like fire; and there was a radiance around Him.

NASB 1995
Then I noticed from the appearance of His loins and upward something like glowing metal that looked like fire all around within it, and from the appearance of His loins and downward I saw something like fire; and there was a radiance around Him.

NASB 1977
Then I noticed from the appearance of His loins and upward something like glowing metal that looked like fire all around within it, and from the appearance of His loins and downward I saw something like fire; and there was a radiance around Him.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then I saw from the appearance of His loins and upward something like the gleam of glowing metal with the appearance of fire all around within it, and from the appearance of His loins and downward I saw something with the appearance of fire; and there was a radiance all around Him.

Amplified Bible
Now upward, from that which appeared to be His waist, I saw something like glowing metal that looked like it was filled with fire all around it; and downward, from that which appeared to be His waist, I saw something like fire; and there was a brightness and a remarkable radiance [like a halo] around Him.

Christian Standard Bible
From what seemed to be his waist up, I saw a gleam like amber, with what looked like fire enclosing it all around. From what seemed to be his waist down, I also saw what looked like fire. There was a brilliant light all around him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
From what seemed to be His waist up, I saw a gleam like amber, with what looked like fire enclosing it all around. From what seemed to be His waist down, I also saw what looked like fire. There was a brilliant light all around Him.

American Standard Version
And I saw as it were glowing metal, as the appearance of fire within it round about, from the appearance of his loins and upward; and from the appearance of his loins and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness round about him.

Contemporary English Version
From the waist up, it was glowing like metal in a hot furnace, and from the waist down it looked like the flames of a fire. The figure was surrounded by a bright light,

English Revised Version
And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire within it round about, from the appearance of his loins and upward; and from the appearance of his loins and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness round about him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then I saw what he looked like from the waist up. He looked like glowing bronze with fire all around it. From the waist down, he looked like fire. A bright light surrounded him.

Good News Translation
The figure seemed to be shining like bronze in the middle of a fire. It shone all over with a bright light

International Standard Version
I noticed that from what appeared to look like his waist upward there was something that looked like metal that glowed as if it were immersed in fire. Below this there was something resembling fire, with a radiant light surrounding him.

Majority Standard Bible
From what seemed to be His waist up, I saw a gleam like amber, with what looked like fire within it all around. And from what seemed to be His waist down, I saw what looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded Him.

NET Bible
I saw an amber glow like a fire enclosed all around from his waist up. From his waist down I saw something that looked like fire. There was a brilliant light around it,

New Heart English Bible
I saw as it were glowing metal, as the appearance of fire within it all around, from the appearance of his waist and upward; and from the appearance of his waist and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him.

Webster's Bible Translation
And I saw as the color of amber, as the appearance of fire around within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness on all sides.

World English Bible
I saw as it were glowing metal, as the appearance of fire within it all around, from the appearance of his waist and upward; and from the appearance of his waist and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And I see as the color of electrum, as the appearance of fire all around within it, from the appearance of His loins and upward; and from the appearance of His loins and downward, I have seen as the appearance of fire, and brightness [is] all around Him.

Young's Literal Translation
And I see as the colour of copper, as the appearance of fire within it round about, from the appearance of his loins and upward, and from the appearance of his loins and downward, I have seen as the appearance of fire, and brightness is to it round about.

Smith's Literal Translation
And I shall see as the appearance of burnished brass, as the appearance of fire within to it round about, from the appearance of his loins and above, and from the appearance of his loins to below, I saw as the appearance of fire, and a shining to it round about.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And I saw as it were the resemblance of amber as the appearance of fire within it round about: from his loins and upward, and from his loins downward, I saw as it were the resemblance of fire shining round about.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I saw something with the appearance of amber, with the likeness of fire within it and all around it. And from his waist and upward, and from his waist downward, I saw something with the appearance of fire shining all around.

New American Bible
And I saw something like polished metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed on all sides, from what looked like the waist up; and from what looked like the waist down, I saw something like the appearance of fire and brilliant light surrounding him.

New Revised Standard Version
Upward from what appeared like the loins I saw something like gleaming amber, something that looked like fire enclosed all around; and downward from what looked like the loins I saw something that looked like fire, and there was a splendor all around.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And I saw as it were the appearance of God, and the appearance of fire within it round about from his loins and upward; and from his loins and downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire shining round about.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I saw like the appearance of God and like the appearance of fire from within a circle to him. From the appearance of his waist and above and from his waist and below, I saw as the appearance of fire and it shone around him

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And I saw as the colour of electrum, as the appearance of fire round about enclosing it, from the appearance of his loins and upward; and from the appearance of his loins and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness round about him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And I saw as it were the resemblance of amber from the appearance of the loins and upwards, and from the appearance of the loins and under I saw an appearance of fire, and the brightness thereof round about.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Divine Glory
…26Above the expanse over their heads was the likeness of a throne with the appearance of sapphire, and on the throne high above was a figure like that of a man. 27From what seemed to be His waist up, I saw a gleam like amber, with what looked like fire within it all around. And from what seemed to be His waist down, I saw what looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded Him. 28The appearance of the brilliant light all around Him was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Revelation 1:14-15
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.

Daniel 10:6
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 4:3
The One seated there looked like jasper and carnelian, and a rainbow that gleamed like an emerald encircled the throne.

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.

Revelation 1:16
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.

Revelation 19:12
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.

Exodus 24:17
And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountaintop in the eyes of the Israelites.

Revelation 21:23
And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp.

Revelation 22:5
There will be no more night in the city, and they will have no need for the light of a lamp or of the sun. For the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever.

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 1:13
and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe, with a golden sash around His chest.

Revelation 1:10
On the Lord’s day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,

Revelation 4:5
From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder. Before the throne burned seven torches of fire. These are the seven spirits of God.

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.

Revelation 14:2
And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of many waters and the loud rumbling of thunder. And the sound I heard was like harpists strumming their harps.

Treasury of Scripture

And I saw as the color of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.

as the colour

Ezekiel 1:4
And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.

Ezekiel 8:2
Then I beheld, and lo a likeness as the appearance of fire: from the appearance of his loins even downward, fire; and from his loins even upward, as the appearance of brightness, as the colour of amber.

the appearance of fire

Deuteronomy 4:24
For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.

Psalm 50:3
Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.

Psalm 97:2
Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.

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Amber Appearance Body Bright Brightness Brilliant Bronze Color Colour Coloured Downward Electrum Enclosed Enclosing Fire Full Gleaming Glowing Loins Metal Middle Noticed Radiance Round Seemed Shining Sides Something Surrounded Upward Waist Within

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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.

Berean Study Bible

From what appeared to be His waist up
This phrase introduces a vision of divine majesty and glory. The "waist" signifies the central part of the body, often associated with strength and stability. In Hebrew, the word for waist can also imply the loins, a place of power and procreation. This imagery suggests a divine being of immense strength and authority, emphasizing the centrality of God's power in the universe.

I saw a gleam like amber
The term "amber" in Hebrew is "ḥašmal," which is a unique word appearing only in Ezekiel. It is often translated as "electrum," a natural alloy of gold and silver, known for its bright, gleaming appearance. This gleam signifies purity, holiness, and the unapproachable light of God's presence. Historically, amber was highly valued and associated with divine and royal splendor, underscoring the majesty of the vision.

with what looked like fire within it all around
Fire in biblical symbolism often represents God's presence, purity, and judgment. The fire "within it all around" suggests an all-consuming holiness and a purifying presence. In the context of Ezekiel's vision, this fire indicates the intense and overwhelming nature of encountering the divine, a theme consistent throughout Scripture where God's presence is often accompanied by fire (e.g., the burning bush in Exodus 3).

And from what appeared to be His waist down
Reiterating the focus on the waist, this phrase transitions to the lower part of the vision. The repetition emphasizes the completeness of the divine figure, from top to bottom, symbolizing totality and perfection. It suggests that God's presence is not limited or partial but encompasses all aspects of existence.

I saw something like fire
Again, the imagery of fire is used, reinforcing the idea of divine purity and judgment. The repetition of fire from the waist down suggests that God's holiness and power are pervasive and all-encompassing. It also implies movement and energy, characteristics often associated with the divine in biblical literature.

and brilliant light surrounded Him
Light is a common biblical metaphor for truth, revelation, and the presence of God. The "brilliant light" surrounding the figure indicates the glory and majesty of God, a light that dispels darkness and reveals truth. In the Hebrew context, light is often associated with life and salvation, pointing to the life-giving and redemptive nature of God's presence.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(27) As the colour of amber.--See on the same expression Ezekiel 1:4. Literally, as an eye of bright metal. The rest of the verse is simply an attempt, by various repetitions, to convey an idea of the exceeding brightness and glory of the vision, yet also with the notions of purity and holiness, of power and activity always associated with fire. (Comp. Exodus 24:17; Daniel 7:9; Revelation 1:14-15; Revelation 4:5.)

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 27. - As the colour of amber. The "amber" (see note on ver. 4) represents the purity and glory of the Divine nature - the truth that "God is light" in his eternal essence. The "fire" which, here as ever, represents the wrath of God against evil, is round about within it, i.e. is less absolutely identified with the Divine will, of which it is yet an almost constant manifestation. It is, in the language of the older logicians, an inseparable accident rather than part of its essential nature.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

From what seemed
כְּמַרְאֵה־ (kə·mar·’êh-)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4758: Sight, appearance, vision

to be His waist
מָתְנָ֖יו (mā·ṯə·nāw)
Noun - mdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4975: The waist, small of the back, the loins

up,
וּלְמָ֑עְלָה (ū·lə·mā·‘ə·lāh)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Adverb | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4605: The upper part, with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top

I saw
וָאֵ֣רֶא ׀ (wā·’ê·re)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7200: To see

a gleam
כְּעֵ֣ין (kə·‘ên)
Preposition-k | Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

like amber,
חַשְׁמַ֗ל (ḥaš·mal)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2830: Bronze, polished spectrum metal

with what looked
מִמַּרְאֵ֥ה (mim·mar·’êh)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4758: Sight, appearance, vision

like fire
אֵ֤שׁ (’êš)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 784: A fire

within
בֵּֽית־ (bêṯ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

it
לָהּ֙ (lāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

all around.
סָבִ֔יב (sā·ḇîḇ)
Adverb
Strong's 5439: A circle, neighbour, environs, around

And from what seemed
וּמִמַּרְאֵ֤ה (ū·mim·mar·’êh)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4758: Sight, appearance, vision

to be His waist
מָתְנָיו֙ (mā·ṯə·nāw)
Noun - mdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4975: The waist, small of the back, the loins

down,
וּלְמַ֔טָּה (ū·lə·maṭ·ṭāh)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Adverb
Strong's 4295: Downward, below, beneath

I saw
רָאִ֙יתִי֙ (rā·’î·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7200: To see

what looked
כְּמַרְאֵה־ (kə·mar·’êh-)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4758: Sight, appearance, vision

like fire;
אֵ֔שׁ (’êš)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 784: A fire

and brilliant light
וְנֹ֥גַֽהּ (wə·nō·ḡah)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5051: Brilliancy

surrounded Him.
סָבִֽיב׃ (sā·ḇîḇ)
Adverb
Strong's 5439: A circle, neighbour, environs, around

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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 1:27 I saw as it were glowing metal (Ezek. Eze Ezk)