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Ezekiel 1:12

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 1:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; they turned not when they went.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; they turned not when they went.
Ezekiel 1:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.
10As for the likeness of their faces, they had the face of a man; and they four had the face of a lion on the right side; and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four had also the face of an eagle.
11And their faces and their wings were separate above; two [wings] of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.
12And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; they turned not when they went.
13As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches: [the fire] went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.
14And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
15Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold, one wheel upon the earth beside the living creatures, for each of the four faces thereof.
← Ezekiel 1:11Ezekiel 1:13 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And they went everyone straight forward, &c.] Or, “over against his face”f40; for, which way soever they went, whether forward or backward, or on either side, they had a face to go before them, to direct the way, and steer their course; so the ministers of the Gospel have a face to go by and follow after, the word of God, to look to and direct them, which way soever they go, or whatsoever service they are called unto; whither the spirit was to go they went; which may be meant of their own spirit, will, and inclination; so the Targum, “to the place where it was their good pleasure to go they went;” so Jarchi and Kimchi; but this is not always the case, (see <441606>Acts 16:6-9); rather the…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The same idea as in Eze 1:9. The repetition is because we men are so hard to be brought to acknowledge the wisdom of God's doings; they seem tortuous and confused to us, but they are all tending steadily to one aim. the spirit--the secret impulse whereby God moves His angels to the end designed. They do not turn back or aside till they have fulfilled the office assigned them.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The “chariot,” though composed of distinct parts, was to be considered as a whole. There was one spirit expressive of one conscious life pervading the whole, and guiding the motions of the whole in perfect harmony. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Straight - Which way soever they went, each living creature had one face looking straight forward. The spirit - The will, command, and breathing of the Spirit of God, both gave and guided their motions. Was to go - Going is attributed here to the Spirit of God, by allusion, for he who is in every place cannot properly be said to go from or to any place. Turned not - They looked not back, they turned not out of the way, they gave not over, 'till they had compleated their course. Ezekiel 1:13”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“they went every: Eze 1:9, Eze 1:17, Eze 10:22 whither: Eze 1:20, Eze 1:21; Heb 1:14 Ezekiel 1:13”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification