Ezekiel 1:13

13 And the likeness of the beasts, and the beholding of them, was as of burning coals of fire, and as the beholding of lamps. This was the sight running about in the midst of [the] beasts, the shining of fire, and the lightning going out of the fire. (And the likeness of the creatures, and their appearance, was like burning coals of fire, or like the appearance of lamps. This was the sight running about in the midst of the creatures, the shining of the fire, and the lightning going out of the fire.)

Ezekiel 1:13 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 1:13

As for the likeness of the living creatures
That is, of their bodies; for their faces, feet, hands, and wings are described before: their appearance [was] like burning coals of fire:
because of their ministerial gifts; the gifts of the Spirit are compared to fire, and like coals of fire are to be stirred up, and not covered or quenched; ( Acts 2:3 ) ( 2 Timothy 1:6 ) ( 1 Thessalonians 5:19 ) ; and because of their clear shining light in the truths of the Gospel; and because of their ardent love to Christ, and the souls of men; the coals whereof give a most vehement flame, which all the waters of reproach and persecution cannot quench, ( Song of Solomon 8:6 Song of Solomon 8:7 ) ; and because of their burning zeal for the glory of God, and the interest of the Redeemer; hence they are called "seraphim", fiery or burning ( Isaiah 6:2 ) ; [and] like the appearance of lamps:
so the ministers of the Gospel are compared to lamps, which hold forth the light of the Gospel to the sons of men; they are the lights or lamps of the world, and some of them are bright burning and shining ones, as John was, ( Matthew 5:14 ) ( John 5:35 ) ; it went up and down among the living creatures;
that is, fire went up and down among them; so the Targum,

``and fire inflamed was among the creatures;''

by which may be meant the word of God, comparable to fire, ( Jeremiah 20:9 ) ( 23:29 ) ; common to all the ministers of the Gospel, by which their minds are enlightened, and their hearts are warmed and filled with zeal, and by which they are the means of enlightening and warming others: and the fire was bright;
and clear, as the word of God is: and out of the fire went forth lightning;
by means of the ministry of the word, the kingdom and interest of Christ spread like lightning in the world, from east to west; so the coming of the son of man in his kingdom and power is compared to lightning, ( Matthew 24:27 ) ; it denotes the quick, penetrating, and enlightening power and efficacy of the word.

Ezekiel 1:13 In-Context

11 And the faces of those and (the) wings of those were stretched forth above. Two wings of each were joined together, and twain covered the bodies of those. (And their wings were stretched forth above. Two wings of each touched the wings of its neighbours, and two wings covered their bodies.)

12 And each of those went before his face. Where (ever) the fierceness of the wind was, thither those went, and turned not again, when they went. (And each of them went straight ahead. Wherever the fierceness of the wind was, they went there, and they did not turn, from where they went.)

13 And the likeness of the beasts, and the beholding of them, was as of burning coals of fire, and as the beholding of lamps. This was the sight running about in the midst of [the] beasts, the shining of fire, and the lightning going out of the fire. (And the likeness of the creatures, and their appearance, was like burning coals of fire, or like the appearance of lamps. This was the sight running about in the midst of the creatures, the shining of the fire, and the lightning going out of the fire.)

14 And the beasts went, and turned again, at the likeness of lightning shining. (And the creatures went forth, and returned, in the form of a shining of lightning.)

15 And when I beheld the beasts, one wheel, having four faces, appeared on the earth, beside the beasts. (And when I looked at the creatures, a wheel appeared on the ground, beside each of those creatures with four faces.)