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Ezekiel 1:21

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 1:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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 beside them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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 beside them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
Ezekiel 1:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18As for their rims, they were high and dreadful; and they four had their rims full of eyes round about.
19And when the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up.
20Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went; thither was the spirit to go: and the wheels were lifted up beside them; for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
21When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up beside them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
22And over the head of the living creature there was the likeness of a firmament, like the terrible crystal to look upon, stretched forth over their heads above.
23And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other: every one had two which covered on this side, and every one had two which covered on that side, their bodies.
24And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings like the noise of great waters, like the voice of the Almighty, a noise of tumult like the noise of a host: when they stood, they let down their wings.
← Ezekiel 1:20Ezekiel 1:22 →
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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
“When those went, [these] went; and when those stood, [these] stood, &c.] When ministers are active and lively, then the churches are; but when they are indolent, dull, and inactive, then the churches are so likewise: and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them; (see Gill on “<260119>Ezekiel 1:19”); for the spirit of the living creature [was] in the wheels; or, “the spirit of life”, as in (<260120>Ezekiel 1:20); (see <661111>Revelation 11:11).”
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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
“over against--rather, "along with" [HENDERSON]; or, "beside" [FAIRBAIRN].”
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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
“For - The same wisdom, power, and holiness of God, the same will and counsel of his, that guides and governs the angels, does by them order and dispose all the motions of the creatures in this lower world. Ezekiel 1:22”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“When those went: Eze 1:19, Eze 1:20, Eze 10:17 of the living creature: or, of life, Rom 8:2 Ezekiel 1:22”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification