Ezekiel 1:4-9
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
4 As I watched, a great stormwind came from the North,[a] a large cloud with flashing fire, a bright glow all around it, and something like polished metal gleamed at the center of the fire.(A) 5 From within it figures in the likeness of four living creatures[b] appeared. This is what they looked like:(B) 6 They were in human form, but each had four faces and four wings,(C) 7 and their legs were straight, the soles of their feet like the hooves of a bull, gleaming like polished brass.(D) 8 Human hands were under their wings, and the wings of one touched those of another.(E) 9 Their faces and their wings looked out on all their four sides; they did not turn when they moved, but each went straight ahead.(F)
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- 1:4 The North: Zaphon, the traditional abode of the gods; see notes on Jb 37:22; Ps 48:3; Is 14:13–15.
- 1:5 Four living creatures: identified as cherubim in 10:1–2, 20. Known from Assyrian religion as minor guardian deities of palaces and temples, the cherubim were usually portrayed in gigantic sculpture with the bodies of bulls or lions, wings like an eagle and a human head. In the Jerusalem Temple, the Lord was enthroned above in the holy of holies (Is 6:1–2).
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