Ezekiel 1:22

22 And over the heads of the living beings there was the form of an arch, looking like ice, stretched out over their heads on high.

Ezekiel 1:22 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 1:22

And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living
creature
This was not a real firmament, but the likeness of one; it was like the firmament which God created on the second day, which divided between the waters above and below, and which he called Heaven; and is no other than the airy and starry heavens. Its name is in Hebrew (eyqr) , "an expanse"; from its being stretched out as a curtain, and a tent to dwell in; and a "firmament" from its firmness and continuance; and therefore called the firmament of his power, ( Genesis 1:8 ) ( Isaiah 40:22 ) ( Psalms 150:1 ) ; and this visionary one was "over the heads of the living creatures"; which shows that they could not be angels, for those have their habitation in the third heaven, above the firmament; much less in hieroglyphic of the trinity of Persons, who are the three that bear record in heaven, and are not under the firmament; but ministers of the Gospel, who are on earth, and are subject to Christ, whose throne is above the firmament, ( Ezekiel 1:26 ) ; and who receive their commission and gifts from him, and are accountable to him. This firmament [was] as the colony of the tenable crystal;
crystal is a very white, transparent, precious stone, resembling ice, from whence it has its name; hence Pliny ^F20 thought it was no other than ice vehemently frozen; and here it is called "terrible", because exceeding clear and bright, so that there was no looking upon it, without the eyes being dazzled with the glory of it. The sky is called a molten looking glass, in which the glory of God, and his handiwork, may be seen, ( Job 37:18 ) ( Psalms 19:1 ) ; and as the throne of Christ was over this crystal firmament, it shows that, though he is in heaven, he sees all that is done on earth, and in his churches, and by his ministers; and the saints also see him by faith, and through the glass of the Gospel: it is only a crystal firmament that is between them, stretched forth over their heads above;
that is, over the heads of the living creatures, as before; said to be stretched out, in allusion to its name, an expanse, as before observed.

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FOOTNOTES:

F20 Nat. Hit. l. 37. c. 2.

Ezekiel 1:22 In-Context

20 Wherever the spirit was to go they went; and the wheels were lifted up by their side: for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels.

21 When these went on, the others went; and when these came to rest, the others came to rest; and when these were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up by their side: for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels.

22 And over the heads of the living beings there was the form of an arch, looking like ice, stretched out over their heads on high.

23 Under the arch their wings were straight, one stretched out to another: every one had two wings covering their bodies on this side and two covering their bodies on that side.

24 And when they went, the sound of their wings was like the sound of great waters to my ears, like the voice of the Ruler of all, a sound like the rushing of an army: when they came to rest they let down their wings.