Ezekiel 1:20

20 1Wherever the spirit wanted to go, they went, and the wheels rose along with them, 2for the spirit of the living creatures[a] was in the wheels.

Ezekiel 1:20 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 1:20

Whithersoever the spirit was to go they went
That is, the Spirit of God; wherever that leads and directs, whether in the paths of faith or duty, they follow; they walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit; he guides their feet in the way of peace, and into all truth; and leads them in a right way to the land of uprightness: thither [was their] spirit to go;
their spirits or souls being regenerated by the spirit of God, are moved and actuated by him, and readily go where that directs: and the wheels were lifted up over against them;
that is, over against the living creatures; being by their sides going where they go, and being lifted up when they are: for the spirit of the living creature [was] in the wheels;
the same Spirit of God, which is a spirit of life, a quickening spirit, and a free spirit; which gives motion and liberty in religious exercises; that which is in the ministers of the Gospel is in the churches of God; there is but one Spirit, and ministers and members are actuated and influenced by it; see ( Ephesians 4:4 Ephesians 4:5 ) .

Ezekiel 1:20 In-Context

18 And their rims were tall and awesome, and the rims of all four were full of eyes all around.
19 And when the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living creatures rose from the earth, the wheels rose.
20 Wherever the spirit wanted to go, they went, and the wheels rose along with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.
21 When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those rose from the earth, the wheels rose along with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.
22 Over the heads of the living creatures there was the likeness of an expanse, shining like awe-inspiring crystal, spread out above their heads.

Cross References 2

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or the spirit of life; also verse 21
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.