The spirit of the living beings was in the wheels. So wherever the spirit went, the wheels and the living beings also went.
Parallel translations
- WEB Wherever the spirit was to go, they went; there was the spirit to go: and the wheels were lifted up beside them; for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
- KJV Whithersoever 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.
- BSB Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, and the wheels would rise alongside them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.
- NKJV Wherever the spirit wanted to go, they went, because there the spirit went; and the wheels were lifted together with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.
- NASB Wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go in that direction. And the wheels rose just as they did; for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The creatures and wheels go wherever the spirit leads, for the spirit of life is in the wheels. God's animating purpose governs the whole vision.
Overview
The repeated emphasis on 'the spirit' shows that an animating, divine will directs every movement. The wheels are not mere machines but are caught up in the living purpose of God. This stresses that creation moves at the impulse of the Creator's Spirit. It points to the God who gives life and direction to all He has made.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- Ezek 1:12Each one went straight forward: where the spirit was to go, they went; they didn’t turn when they went.
- Ezek 10:17When they stood, these stood; and when they mounted up, these mounted up with them: for the spirit of the living creature was in them.
- 1 Cor 14:32The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets,
- Zech 6:1–8Again I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and behold, four chariots came out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The promise of one Shepherd-King David, a new heart and new Spirit, and the river of life flowing from the temple all stream toward Christ, the good Shepherd who gives the Spirit.
How Ezekiel 1:20 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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