Ezekiel 10:14

“And everyone had four faces, &c.] That is, everyone of the wheels, for of these the words are continued; and which agrees with (<260115>Ezekiel 1:15); the first face [was] the face of a cherub; this being in the room of the ox’s face, (<260110>Ezekiel 1:10), shows that the face of an ox and a cherub are the same; and that the living creatures have the general name of cherubim, from the face of an ox; and are so called from brk, which in the Syriac and Chaldee languages signifies to “plough”, that creature being made use of in such service: and the second face [was] the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle; how these are applicable to Gospel…”

“cherub--but in Eze 1:10 it is an ox. The chief of the four cherubic forms was not the ox, but man. Therefore "cherub" cannot be synonymous with "ox." Probably Ezekiel, standing in front of one of the cherubim (namely, that which handed the coals to the man in linen), saw of him, not merely the ox-form, but the whole fourfold form, and therefore calls him simply "cherub"; whereas of the other three, having only a side view, he specifies the form of each which met his eye [FAIRBAIRN]. As to the likelihood of the lower animals sharing in "the restoration of all things," see Isa 11:6; Isa 65:25; Rom 8:20-21; this accords with the animal forms combined with the human to typify redeemed man.”

“The first face ... - The face of the first was the face of the cherub, and the face of the second was the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion and the fourth the face of an eagle. Of the four faces of each cherub, the seer names only one - the face looking in the direction in which that cherub leads the motion of the chariot. The face of the cherub which presented itself to the seer was that of “an ox.” When he looking northward first saw the chariot the “ox-face” was on the left side Ezekiel 1:10. This would make the ox-face look eastward, and it is not unlikely that the man might approach the chariot from the southeastern part of the inner court. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Every one - Of the living creatures, Eze 1:6. Ezekiel 10:17”

“every: Eze 10:21, Eze 1:6-10; Kg1 7:29, Kg1 7:36; Rev 4:7 the face of a cherub: In Eze 1:10, instead of "the face of a cherub," it is "the face of an ox:" hence a cherub was in the likeness of an ox, at least as to its head. The extraordinary shape of these angelic beings, which appeared to the prophet in vision, is manifestly symbolical; for it is not to be supposed that these heavenly beings are really thus formed. The four faces, wings, and the arms of a man, denote the sublime qualities of these immediate ministers of the Deity; qualities entirely essential to fill up the extent of their duty. The face of a man denotes their intelligence; of a lion, their intrepid courage; of an ox,…”