Ezekiel 1:23

23 And under the heaven their wings were straight, one toward the other: each one had two, and another two which covered their bodies.

Ezekiel 1:23 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 1:23

And under the firmament [were] their wings straight, the one
toward the other
A further account is here given of the wings of the living creatures, which were under the firmament: two of their wings were stretched straight upwards towards the firmament, and joined each other; (See Gill on Ezekiel 1:9); everyone had two, which covered on this side;
besides the two that were carried straight upright towards heaven, they had other two, which covered their back and belly: and everyone had two, which covered on that side, their bodies;
that is, on each side of their bodies; so that there were in all six wings, as in Isaiah's vision, and in that of the Revelation of John: as their wings in general denote the swiftness and readiness of Gospel ministers to do the work of Christ, for which they exact help and assistance from above, signified by two being stretched straight upwards; see ( Ezekiel 1:11 ) ; so covering the several parts of their bodies with the rest shows their modesty and humility, as being ashamed of themselves and their services, when performed in the best manor; it being altogether owing to the grace of God they are what they are, have and do; they themselves being the chief of sinners, and the least of saints, in their own account.

Ezekiel 1:23 In-Context

21 When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up after them: for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

22 And over the heads of each living creature there appeared a heaven like a marvellous crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.

23 And under the heaven their wings were straight, one toward the other: each one had two, and another two which covered their bodies.

24 And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of many waters, as the voice of the Almighty, when they went; the voice of the word, as the voice of an army. When they stood, they let down their wings.

25 And there was heard a voice from the heaven that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings.