Ezekiel 1:18

18 Their rims were tall and awesome, for the rims of all four were full of eyes all around.

Ezekiel 1:18 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 1:18

As for their rings, they were so high, that they were
dreadful
The circles and circumferences of them were "high": which may denote the visibility and extensiveness of the churches of Christ, especially in the latter day; when they shall be exalted above the mountains and hills, the kingdoms and states of this world; and there shall be such numerous additions to them, that the place will be too strait for the members of them to dwell in, ( Isaiah 2:2 ) ( 49:20 ) ; and "they were dreadful"; terrible, as the churches of Christ will be to their enemies to look at, when they shall be in their exalted state, ( Revelation 11:12 Revelation 11:13 ) ; or the words may be rendered, "and they had fear" F19; there was fear and reverence in them; the fear of God, and a reverential affection for him; they were waiting on him, and attending his worship with great reverence and godly fear: and their rings [were] full of eyes round about them four;
everyone of the four wheels, and each of their four semicircles, were full of eyes; expressive of the knowledge of the Gospel, and the truths of it, in church members; their continual looking to Christ for fresh supplies of grace and strength; and their constant watchfulness over each other.


FOOTNOTES:

F19 (Mhl haryw) "et timor illis erat", Cocceius; "et timor ipis", Starckius; "and they were reverent", so Dr. Lightfoot, Prospect of the Temple c. 38. p. 2055.

Ezekiel 1:18 In-Context

16 As for the appearance of the wheels and their construction: their appearance was like the gleaming of beryl; and the four had the same form, their construction being something like a wheel within a wheel.
17 When they moved, they moved in any of the four directions without veering as they moved.
18 Their rims were tall and awesome, for the rims of all four were full of eyes all around.
19 When the living creatures moved, the wheels moved beside them; and when the living creatures rose from the earth, the wheels rose.
20 Wherever the spirit would go, they went, and the wheels rose along with them; for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.