Ezekiel 1:17

17 When they went, they went upon ^[a] their four sides; they turned not when they went.

Ezekiel 1:17 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 1:17

When they went, they went upon their four sides
On either of their crossing rings, as they were directed by the living creatures, at whose side they stood: [and] they returned not when they went;
they had no need to turn about when they were to go east, west, north, or south, as wheels usually do; but they turned upon the crossing ring, which was towards either of the four points. This denotes the perseverance of the churches, and the true members thereof, in faith and practice; they do not turn back, nor look back, but go right on, walking in the fear of the Lord, and in all his, ways and ordinances.

Ezekiel 1:17 In-Context

15 And I looked at the living creatures, and behold, one wheel upon the earth beside the living creatures, toward their four faces.

16 The appearance of the wheels and their work was as the look of a chrysolite; and they four had one likeness; and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel.

17 When they went, they went upon their four sides; they turned not when they went.

18 As for their rims, they were high and dreadful; and they four had their rims full of eyes round about.

19 And when the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or 'toward.'