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Ezekiel 1:9

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 1:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.
Ezekiel 1:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6And every one had four faces, and every one of them had four wings.
7And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf`s foot; and they sparkled like burnished brass.
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]:
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.
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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
“Their wings [were] joined one to another, &c.] “A woman to her sister”f37, in the Hebrew; denoting the concord, harmony, and agreement of Gospel ministers, and their affection to one another; they preach the same Gospel; administer the same ordinances; do the same work of the Lord; have the same zeal for the glory of God; the same love for Christ, and affection for the souls of men; are of the same mind and judgment, and help each other in the service of the Lord; and especially so it will be in the latter day glory, when the watchmen shall see eye to eye, (<235208>Isaiah 52:8); they turned not when they went; they went everyone straight forward; they go not into the path of error and…”
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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
“they--had no occasion to turn themselves round when changing their direction, for they had a face (Eze 1:6) looking to each of the four quarters of heaven. They made no mistakes; and their work needed not be gone over again. Their wings were joined above in pairs (see Eze 1:11).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Two of the wings were in the act of flying, so stretched out that the extremity of each touched a wing of a neighboring living creature, similarly stretched out. This was only when they were in motion. See Ezekiel 1:24. They went every one straight forward - The four together formed a square, and never altered their relative position. From each side two faces looked straight out, one at each corner - and so all moved together toward any of the four quarters, toward which each one had one of its four faces directed; in whatsoever direction the whole moved the four might be said all to go “straight forward.” 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
“Their wings - The wings of the two cherubim which went foremost, and the wings of the two hindermost, were joined together when they moved. Went - This explains the former words, assuring us, that every one of those living creatures are ready, and unwearied in doing the pleasure of their Creator. Ezekiel 1:10”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“joined: Eze 1:11; Ch2 3:11, Ch2 3:12; Co1 1:10 they turned: Eze 1:12, Eze 10:11, Eze 10:22; Pro 4:25-27; Luk 9:51, Luk 9:62 Ezekiel 1:10”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification