BibleWord.ai› Bible› Ezekiel› Chapter 1› Verse 14

Ezekiel 1:14

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 1:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
Ezekiel 1:14 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
16The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto a beryl: and they four had one likeness; and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel within a wheel.
17When they went, they went in their four directions: they turned not when they went.
← Ezekiel 1:13Ezekiel 1:15 →
← Full Chapter 1 Ezekiel Overview

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 the living creatures ran, &c.] Did their work with great readiness and swiftness; so, especially in the latter day, ministers of the Gospel shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased, (<271204>Daniel 12:4); and returned; for though before it is said, “they turned not when they went”, they kept straight on till they had done their work; but when they have done it, then they return, and give an account of it to him that has sent them: and their running and returning are said to be, as the appearance of a flash of lightning; very sudden and swift.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“ran and returned--Incessant, restless motion indicates the plenitude of life in these cherubim; so in Rev 4:8, "they rest not day or night" (Zac 4:10). flash of lightning--rather, as distinct from "lightning" (Eze 1:13), "the meteor flash," or sheet lightning [FAIRBAIRN].”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Ran - They ran into the lower world, to do what was to be done there: and when they had done, returned as a flash of lightning, to the upper world, to the vision of God. Thus we should be in the affairs of this world: though we run into them we must not repose in them, but our souls must presently return like lightning, to God, their rest and center. Ezekiel 1:15”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Psa 147:15; Dan 9:21; Zac 2:3, Zac 2:4, Zac 4:10; Mat 24:27, Mat 24:31; Mar 13:27 Ezekiel 1:15”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Ezekiel 1 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification