Ezekiel 8:2

“And then one beheld, and lo a likeness as the appearance of fire, &c.] The Septuagint and Arabic versions render it, “behold the likeness of a man”; reading çya, “a man”, for ça, “fire”; but without supposing such a reading, for which there is no foundation, this likeness may very well be understood of the likeness of a man; since mention is made of his joins in the next clause, and of his hand in (<260803>Ezekiel 8:3); and the description agrees with the appearance of a man in (<260126>Ezekiel 1:26,27); it was usual for the Son of God, who doubtless is here meant, to appear in a human form; and so Junius and Tremellius supply the words, “and lo a likeness “of a man”, as in the appearance of…”

“likeness--understand, "of a man," that is, of Messiah, the Angel of the covenant, in the person of whom alone God manifests Himself (Eze 1:26; Joh 1:18). The "fire," from "His loins downward," betokens the vengeance of God kindled against the wicked Jews, while searching and purifying the remnant to be spared. The "brightness . . . upward" betokens His unapproachable majesty (Ti1 6:16). For Hebrew, eesh, "fire," the Septuagint, &c., read ish, "a man." colour of amber--the glitter of chasmal [FAIRBAIRN], (see on Eze 1:4, "polished brass").”

“The appearance of fire - In margin reference, seen as the appearance of a man enthroned upon the cherubim. Here He stands apart from the throne revealing Himself to His servant. Compare Daniel 3:25 note. Amber - See the margin reference note. return to 'Top of Page'”

“A likeness - Of a man; the man whom he had seen upon the throne. Fire - This fire might denote the wrath of God against Jerusalem. Ezekiel 8:3”

“8:2-3 While the leaders were gathered, Ezekiel saw in a vision what appeared to be a man. The description is similar to the description in 1:26-27. This time, however, Ezekiel was lifted . . . up into the sky and transported . . . to Jerusalem. • appeared to be . . . looked like . . . seemed to be: What Ezekiel saw defied human description (see study note on 1:4-28).”

“I beheld: Eze 1:4, Eze 1:26, Eze 1:27; Dan 7:9, Dan 7:10; Rev 1:14, Rev 1:15 amber: Amber is a hard, inflammable, bituminous substance, of a beautiful yellow colour, very transparent, and susceptible of an exquisite polish. When rubbed it is highly endowed with electricity; a name which the moderns have formed from its Greek name ηλεκτρον. But, as amber becomes dim as soon as it feels the fire, and is speedily consumed, it is probable that the original chashmal which Bochart derives from the Chaldee nechash copper, and melala gold, was a mixed metal, similar to that which the Greeks called ηλεκτρον, electrum, as the LXX and Vulgate render, from its resemblance to amber in colour. Ezekiel 8:3”