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Ezekiel 10:11

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 10:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “When they went, they went in their four directions: they turned not as they went, but to the place whither the head looked they followed it; they turned not as they went.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

When they went, they went in their four directions: they turned not as they went, but to the place whither the head looked they followed it; they turned not as they went.
Ezekiel 10:11 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 10

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8And there appeared in the cherubim the form of a man`s hand under their wings.
9And I looked, and behold, four wheels beside the cherubim, one wheel beside one cherub, and another wheel beside another cherub; and the appearance of the wheels was like unto a beryl stone.
10And as for their appearance, they four had one likeness, as if a wheel have been within a wheel.
11When they went, they went in their four directions: they turned not as they went, but to the place whither the head looked they followed it; they turned not as they went.
12And their whole body, and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes round about, [even] the wheels that they four had.
13As for the wheels, they were called in my hearing, the whirling [wheels].
14And every one had four faces: the first face was the face of the cherub, and the second face was the face of a man, and the third face the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.
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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 they went, they went upon their four sides, &c.] Which four sides they had, by being made in the transverse way before mentioned; just as the New Jerusalem church state is said to be foursquare, (<662116>Revelation 21:16); and this may denote the uniformity of Gospel churches in every state and condition, prosperous and adverse; and the constancy of their walk, conduct, and conversation: they turned not as they went: neither to the right hand or the left, but went on in the path of faith and duty, keeping close to the word of God, and keeping up a conversation, discipline, and worship, according to it: but to the place where the head looked they, followed it; meaning either the rulers,…”
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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
“(See on Eze 1:17). turned not--without accomplishing their course (Isa 55:11) [GROTIUS]. Rather, "they moved straight on without turning" (so Eze 1:9). Having a face towards each of the four quarters, they needed not to turn around when changing their direction. whither . . . head looked--that is, "whither the head" of the animal cherub-form, belonging to and directing each wheel, "looked," thither the wheel "followed." The wheels were not guided by some external adventitious impetus, but by some secret divine impulse of the cherubim themselves.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The head - Either “the leading wheel which the others followed,” or more probably, the head of a cherub (one for all), the description passing from the wheels to the cherubim Ezekiel 10:12. 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
“When - The wheels moved by the cherubim, or that spirit of life, which moved the living creatures. They went - They were so framed, that they could move on all four sides without the difficulty and delay of turning. Head - Of the living creatures. Ezekiel 10:12”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“they went upon: Eze 10:22, Eze 1:17 whither: Eze 1:20; Mat 8:8-10 Ezekiel 10:12”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification