The Vision by the Chobar
Ezekiel 1
Ezekiel the priest, in captivity by the river Chobar, sees the heavens opened and beholds a vision of God: a storm out of the north bringing four winged living creatures with four faces each, moving beside wheels full of eyes, beneath a crystal firmament and a throne with a fiery, glorious likeness above it. He identifies this whole vision as the appearance of the glory of the Lord.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonIN the thirtieth year, and fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, when I was among the captives by the river Chobar, the heavens were opened and I saw the visions of God.
BrentonNow it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, that I was in the midst of the captivity by the river of Chobar; and the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
GreekΚΑΙ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ τριακοστῷ ἔτει ἐν τῷ τετάρτῳ μηνὶ πέμπτῃ τοῦ μηνὸς, καὶ ἐγὼ ἤμην ἐν μέσῳ τῆς αἰχμαλωσίας ἐπὶ τοῦ ποταμοῦ τοῦ Χοβάρ· καὶ ἠνοίχθησαν οἱ οὐρανοὶ, καὶ ἴδον ὁράσεις Θεοῦ.
KJVNow it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
JPSNow it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river Chebar that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
2
ThomsonOn the fifth of that month (this was the fifth year of the captivity of king Jechonias)
BrentonOn the fifth day of the month; this was the fifth year of the captivity of king Joakim.
GreekΠέμπτῃ τοῦ μηνός· τοῦτο τὸ ἔτος τὸ πέμπτον τῆς αἰχμαλωσίας τοῦ βασιλέως Ἰωακείμ·
KJVIn the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity,
JPSIn the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity,
3
Thomsonthe word of the Lord came to Ezekiel son of Buzi the priest, in the land of the Chaldeans, by the river Chobar. And the hand of the Lord was upon me,
BrentonAnd the word of the Lord came to Jezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans, by the river of Chobar; and the hand of the Lord was upon me.
GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο λόγος Κυρίου πρὸς Ἰεζεκιὴλ υἱὸν Βουζεὶ, τὸν ἱερέα, ἐν γῇ Χαλδαίων, ἐπὶ τοῦ ποταμοῦ τοῦ Χοβάρ· καὶ ἐγένετο ἐπʼ ἐμὲ χεὶρ Κυρίου.
KJVThe word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.
JPSthe word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.
4
Thomsonand I looked, and lo! a whirlwind came from the north, and with it a great cloud surrounded with a splendour of flashing fire; and in the midst thereof, an appearance like that of amber in the middle of the fire, and a splendour in it.
BrentonAnd I looked, and, behold, a sweeping wind came from the north, and a great cloud on it, and there was brightness round about it, and gleaming fire, and in the midst of it as it were the appearance of amber in the midst of the fire, and brightness in it.
GreekΚαὶ ἴδον, καὶ ἰδοὺ πνεῦμα ἐξαῖρον ἤρχετο ἀπὸ Βοῤῥᾶ, καὶ νεφέλη μεγάλη ἐν αὐτῷ, καὶ φέγγος κύκλῳ αὐτοῦ καὶ πῦρ ἐξαστράπτον· καὶ ἐν τῷ μέσῳ αὐτοῦ ὡς ὅρασις ἠλέκτρου ἐν μέσῳ τοῦ πυρὸς, καὶ φέγγος ἐν αὐτῷ.
KJVAnd I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.
JPSAnd I looked, and, behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, a great cloud, with a fire flashing up, so that a brightness was round about it; and out of the midst thereof as the colour of electrum, out of the midst of the fire.
5
ThomsonAnd in the middle, a resemblance like that of four living beings. And this was the appearance of them: They had a resemblance of a man in them.
BrentonAnd in the midst as it were the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; the likeness of a man was upon them.
GreekΚαὶ ἐν τῷ μέσῳ ὡς ὁμοίωμα τεσσάρων ζῴων· καὶ αὕτη ἡ ὅρασις αὐτῶν· ὁμοίωμα ἀνθρώπου ἐπʼ αὐτοῖς.
KJVAlso out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.
JPSAnd out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man.
6
ThomsonAnd each had four faces, and each had four wings; and their legs were straight
BrentonAnd each one had four faces, and each one had four wings.
GreekΚαὶ τέσσαρα πρόσωπα τῷ ἑνὶ, καὶ τέσσαρες πτέρυγες τῷ ἑνί.
KJVAnd every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.
JPSAnd every one had four faces, and every one of them had four wings.
7
Thomsonand their feet winged, and sparking like sparkling brass. And their wings had a quick motion.
BrentonAnd their legs were straight; and their feet were winged, and there were sparks, like gleaming brass, and their wings were light.
GreekΚαὶ τὰ σκέλη αὐτῶν ὀρθὰ, καὶ πτερωτοὶ οἱ πόδες αὐτῶν, καὶ σπινθῆρες, ὡς ἐξαστράπτων χαλκός· καὶ ἐλαφραὶ αἱ πτέρυγες αὐτῶν.
KJVAnd their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass.
JPSAnd their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot; and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass.
8
ThomsonAnd underneath their wings on their four sides was a man’s hand.
BrentonAnd the hand of a man was under their wings on their four sides.
GreekΚαὶ χεὶρ ἀνθρώπου ὑποκάτωθεν τῶν πτερύγων αὐτῶν ἐπὶ τὰ τέσσαρα μέρη αὐτῶν.
KJVAnd they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings.
JPSAnd they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and as for the faces and wings of them four,
9
ThomsonAnd the faces of the four turned not when they went. They marched forward each having a face on every side.
BrentonAnd the faces of them four turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.
GreekΚαὶ τὰ πρόσωπα αὐτῶν τῶν τεσσάρων οὐκ ἐπεστρέφοντο ἐν τῷ βαδίζειν αὐτά· ἕκαστον ἀπέναντι τοῦ προσώπου αὐτῶν ἐπορεύοντο.
KJVTheir wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.
JPStheir wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.
10
ThomsonAnd with regard to the similitude of their faces, the four had the face of a man with the face of a lion, on the right; and on the left the four had the face of a bullock, and the four had a face of an eagle.
BrentonAnd the likeness of their faces was the face of a man, and the face of a lion on the right to the four; and the face of a calf on the left to the four; and the face of an eagle to the four.
GreekΚαὶ ὁμοίωσις τῶν προσώπων αὐτῶν, πρόσωπον ἀνθρώπου, καὶ πρόσωπον τοῦ λέοντος ἐκ δεξιῶν τοῖς τέσσαρσι, καὶ πρόσωπον μόσχου ἐξ ἀριστερῶν τοῖς τέσσαρσι, καὶ πρόσωπον ἀετοῦ τοῖς τέσσαρσι.
KJVAs for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.
JPSAs 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.
11
Thomson—
BrentonAnd the four had their wings spread out above; each one had two joined to one another, and two covered their bodies.
GreekΚαὶ αἱ πτέρυγες αὐτῶν ἐκτεταμέναι ἄνωθεν τοῖς τέσσαρσιν, ἑκατέρῳ δύο συνεζευγμέναι πρὸς ἀλλήλας, καὶ δύο ἐπεκάλυπτον ἐπάνω τοῦ σώματος αὐτῶν.
KJVThus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.
JPSThus were their faces; and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.
12
ThomsonAnd they moved on, each straight forward, which way soever the wind was moving, they moved on, and turned not.
BrentonAnd each one went straight forward: wherever the spirit was going they went, and turned not back.
GreekΚαὶ ἑκάτερον κατὰ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ἐπορεύετο· οὗ ἂν ἦν τὸ πνεῦμα πορευόμενον ἐπορεύοντο, καὶ οὐκ ἐπέστρεφον.
KJVAnd they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went.
JPSAnd they went every one straight forward; whither the spirit was to go, they went; they turned not when they went.
13
ThomsonAnd in the midst of the four living beings, was an appearance like that of glowing coals of fire, resembling lamps whirling round between the
BrentonAnd in the midst of the living creatures there was an appearance as of burning coals of fire, as an appearance of lamps turning among the living creatures; and the brightness of fire, and out of the fire came forth lightning.
GreekΚαὶ ἐν μέσῳ τῶν ζώων ὅρασις ὡς ἀνθράκων πυρὸς καιομένων, ὡς ὄψις λαμπάδων συστρεφομένων ἀναμέσον τῶν ζώων, καὶ φέγγος τοῦ πυρὸς, καὶ ἐκ τοῦ πυρὸς ἐξεπορεύετο ἀστραπή.
KJVAs for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.
JPSAs for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like coals of fire, burning like the appearance of torches; it flashed up and down among the living creatures; and there was brightness to the fire, and out of the fire went forth lightning.
15
ThomsonAnd lo! I beheld on the ground, close to the four living beings a wheel, one to each of the four.
BrentonAnd I looked, and, behold, the four had each one wheel on the ground near the living creatures.
GreekΚαὶ ἴδον, καὶ ἰδοὺ τροχὸς εἷς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἐχόμενος τῶν ζώων τοῖς τέσσαρσι.
KJVNow as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces.
JPSNow as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel at the bottom hard by the living creatures, at the four faces thereof.
16
ThomsonAnd the appearance of the wheels was like the appearance of a beryl. And the four had one and the same likeness. And their workmanship was as if there were a wheel within a wheel.
BrentonAnd the appearance of the wheels was as the appearance of beryl: and the four had one likeness: and their work was as it were a wheel in a wheel.
GreekΚαὶ τὸ εἶδος τῶν τροχῶν ὡς εἶδος θαρσείς· καὶ ὁμοίωμα ἓν τοῖς τέσσαρσι· καὶ τὸ ἔργον αὐτῶν ἦν καθὼς ἂν εἴη τροχὸς ἐν τροχῷ.
KJVThe appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel.
JPSThe appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl; and they four had one likeness; and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel within a wheel.
17
Thomson—
BrentonThey went on their four sides: they turned not as they went;
GreekἘπὶ τὰ τέσσαρα μέρη αὐτῶν ἐπορεύοντο· οὐκ ἐπέστρεφον ἐν τῷ πορεύεσθαι αὐτὰ,
KJVWhen they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went.
JPSWhen they went, they went toward their four sides; they turned not when they went.
18
Thomsonnor did their felloes when they were elevated. And I beheld, and their felloes were full of eyes, all around the four.
Brentonneither did their backs turn: and they were high: and I beheld them, and the backs of them four were full of eyes round about.
Greekοὐδʼ οἱ νῶτοι αὐτῶν· καὶ ὕψος ἦν αὐτοῖς· καὶ ἴδον αὐτὰ, καὶ οἱ νῶτοι αὐτῶν πλήρεις ὀφθαλμῶν κυκλόθεν τοῖς τέσσαρσι.
KJVAs for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four.
JPSAs for their rings, they were high and they were dreadful; and they four had their rings full of eyes round about.
19
ThomsonAnd when the living beings moved on, the wheels moved on close by them.
BrentonAnd when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures lifted themselves off the earth, the wheels were lifted off.
GreekΚαὶ ἐν τῷ πορεύεσθαι τὰ ζῶα, ἐπορεύοντο οἱ τροχοὶ ἐχόμενοι αὐτῶν· καὶ ἐν τῷ ἐξαίρειν τὰ ζῶα ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς, ἐξῄροντο οἱ τροχοί.
KJVAnd when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up.
JPSAnd when the living creatures went, the wheels went hard by them; and when the living creatures were lifted up from the bottom, the wheels were lifted up.
20
ThomsonAnd when the living beings mounted up from the earth, the wheels mounted up. Wherever the cloud was, there was the wind for their movement; the wheels moved on and were carried aloft with them. Because there was a breath of life in the wheels, when the living beings moved on, the wheels moved on:
BrentonWherever the cloud happened to be, there was the spirit ready to go: the wheels went and were lifted up with them; because the spirit of life was in the wheels.
GreekΟὗ ἂν ἦν ἡ νεφέλη, ἐκεῖ τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, ἐπορεύοντο οἱ τροχοὶ καὶ ἐξῄροντο σὺν αὐτοῖς, διότι πνεῦμα ζωῆς ἐν τοῖς τροχοῖς.
KJVWhithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
JPSWhithersoever the spirit was to go, as the spirit was to go thither, so they went; and the wheels were lifted up beside them; for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
21
Thomsonwhen those stood still, these stood still: and when those mounted up from the earth, these mounted up with them, because there was a breath of life in the wheels.
BrentonWhen those went, the wheels went; and when those stood, the wheels stood; and when those lifted themselves off the earth, they were lifted off with them: for the spirit of life was in the wheels.
GreekἘν τῷ πορεύεσθαι αὐτὰ ἐπορεύοντο, καὶ ἐν τῷ ἑστάναι αὐτὰ εἱστήκεισαν· καὶ ἐν τῷ ἐξαίρειν αὐτὰ ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς, ἐξῄροντο σὺν αὐτοῖς, ὅτι πνεῦμα ζωῆς ἦν ἐν τοῖς τροχοῖς.
KJVWhen those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
JPSWhen those went, these went, and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up beside them; for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
22
ThomsonAnd over the head of the living beings, there was a likeness resembling a firmament, like the appearance of crystal over their wings, which were expanded above them.
BrentonAnd the likeness over the heads of the living creatures was as a firmament, as the appearance of crystal, spread out over their wings above.
GreekΚαὶ ὁμοίωμα ὑπὲρ κεφαλῆς αὐτῶς τῶν ζώων ὡσεὶ στερέωμα, ὡς ὅρασις κρυστάλλου, ἐκτεταμένον ἐπὶ τῶν πτερύγων αὐτῶν ἐπάνωθεν.
KJVAnd the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.
JPSAnd over the heads of the living creatures there was the likeness of a firmament, like the colour of the terrible ice, stretched forth over their heads above.
23
ThomsonAnd their wings which were expanded below the firmament, flapped one against another, while every one had a pair that covered their bodies.
BrentonAnd their wings were spread out under the firmament, reaching one to the other; two wings to each, covering their bodies.
GreekΚαὶ ὑποκάτωθεν τοῦ στερεώματος αἱ πτέρυγες αὐτῶν ἐκτεταμέναι, πτερυσσόμεναι ἑτέρα τῇ ἑτέρᾳ, ἑκάστῳ δύο ἐπικαλύπτουσαι τὰ σώματα αὐτῶν.
KJVAnd under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other: every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies.
JPSAnd under the firmament were their wings conformable the one to the other; this one of them had two which covered, and that one of them had two which covered, their bodies.
24
ThomsonAnd when they moved on I heard the sound of their wings like the sound of much water: but when they stopped, their wings were still.
BrentonAnd I heard the sound of their wings when they went, as the sound of much water: and when they stood, their wings were let down.
GreekΚαὶ ἤκουον τὴν φωνὴν τῶν πτερύγων αὐτῶν ἐν τῷ πορεύεσθαι αὐτὰ, ὡς φωνὴν ὕδατος πολλοῦ· καὶ ἐν τῷ ἑστάναι αὐτὰ, κατέπαυον αἱ πτέρυγες αὐτῶν.
KJVAnd when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings.
JPSAnd when they went, I heard the noise of their wings like the noise of great waters, like the voice of the Almighty, a noise of tumult like the noise of a host; when they stood, they let down their wings.
25
ThomsonAnd lo! a voice from above the firmament!
BrentonAnd lo! a voice from above the firmament
GreekΚαὶ ἰδοὺ φωνὴ ὑπεράνωθεν τοῦ στερεώματος τοῦ ὄντος ὑπὲρ κεφαλῆς αὐτῶν,
KJVAnd there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings.
JPSFor, when there was a voice above the firmament that was over their heads, as they stood, they let down their wings.
26
ThomsonThis being over their heads, there was an appearance like that of a sapphire stone and a resemblance of a throne upon it. And upon the resemblance of the throne a resemblance like the appearance of a man above.
Brentonthat was over their head, there was as the appearance of a sapphire stone, and the likeness of a throne upon it: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as an appearance of a man above.
Greekὡς ὅρασις λίθου σαπφείρου, ὁμοίωμα θρόνου ἐπʼ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐπὶ τοὺ ὁμοιώματος του θρόνου ὁμοίωμα ὡς εἶδος ἀνθρώπου ἄνωθεν.
KJVAnd above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.
JPSAnd above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone; and upon the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man upon it above.
27
ThomsonAnd I saw a resemblance of amber from the appearance of the loins and upwards; and from the appearance of the loins and downwards, I saw an appearance of fire: and the splendour thereof round about
BrentonAnd I saw as it were the resemblance of amber from the appearance of the loins and upwards, and from the appearance of the loins and under I saw an appearance of fire, and the brightness thereof round about.
GreekΚαὶ ἴδον ὡς ὄψιν ἠλέκτρου ἀπὸ ὁράσεως ὀσφύος καὶ ἐπάνω, καὶ ἀπὸ ὁράσεως ὀσφύος καὶ ἕως κάτω ἴδον ὅρασιν πυρὸς, καὶ τὸ φέγγος αὐτοῦ κύκλῳ,
KJVAnd I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.
JPSAnd I saw as the colour of electrum, as the appearance of fire round about enclosing it, from the appearance of his loins and upward; and from the appearance of his loins and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness round about him.
28
Thomsonwas like the bow which is in the clouds in a showery day. Such was the state of the splendour round about.
BrentonAs the appearance of the bow when it is in the cloud in days of rain, so was the form of the brightness round about.
Greekὡς ὅρασις τόξου ὅταν ᾖ ἐν τῇ νεφέλῃ ἐν ἡμέραις ὑετοῦ, οὕτως ἡ στάσις τοῦ φέγγους κυκλόθεν.
KJVAs the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.
JPSAs the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spoke.