Ezekiel 1:8

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 1:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings [thus]:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings [thus]:
Ezekiel 1:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings [thus]:

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 had] the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides, &c.] “Hands of a man” denote action, according to knowledge; ministers of the Gospel are men of practice and business, as well as have the theory and knowledge of things; and they act like men in a rational way, according to the will of God revealed in the word: and these being “on their four sides”, show that they have much work to do all around, on every side; in ministering the word, administering ordinances; visiting their people; giving counsel, caution, comfort, exhortation, instruction, &c. and that they have many hands to do, it with, much grace and strength from above; and they have need of all the hands they…”
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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 hands of each were the hands of a man. The hand is the symbol of active power, guided by skilfulness (Psa 78:72). under their wings--signifying their operations are hidden from our too curious prying; and as the "wings" signify something more than human, namely, the secret prompting of God, it is also implied that they are moved by it and not by their own power, so that they do nothing at random, but all with divine wisdom. they four had . . . faces and . . . wings--He returns to what he had stated already in Eze 1:6; this gives a reason why they had hands on their four sides, namely, because they had faces and wings on the four sides. They moved whithersoever they would, not by active…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Or, “They had the hands of a man under their wings on all four sides, just as they had wings and faces on all four sides.” 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
“Under - Their power and manner of exerting it is secret and invisible. Sides - On each side of the chariot one of these living creatures flood, and so on each side hands were ready to act as they were moved. They four - It is doubled to confirm the truth and certainty of the thing. Ezekiel 1:9”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Eze 8:3, Eze 10:2, Eze 10:7, Eze 10:8, Eze 10:18, Eze 10:21; Isa 6:6 Ezekiel 1:9”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification