Spread out above the heads of the living creatures was the likeness of an awesome expanse, gleaming like crystal.
Parallel translations
- WEB Over the head of the living creature there was the likeness of an expanse, like the awesome crystal to look on, stretched out over their heads above.
- KJV And 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.
- NKJV The likeness of the firmament above the heads of the living creatures was like the color of an awesome crystal, stretched out over their heads.
- NASB Now over the heads of the living beings there was something like an expanse, like the awesome gleam of crystal, spread out over their heads.
- NLT Spread out above them was a surface like the sky, glittering like crystal.
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
Above the creatures stretches an awesome crystal-like expanse. It forms a shining platform beneath God's throne.
Overview
The shining expanse recalls the firmament of Genesis 1 and the pavement under God's feet in Exodus 24:10. It separates the throne above from the creatures below, marking sacred space. Its crystalline brilliance conveys purity and transcendent glory. The structure builds reverently toward the unveiling of God's throne and His likeness.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- Ezek 10:1And I looked and saw above the expanse, above the heads of the cherubim, the likeness of a throne of sapphire.
- Ezek 1:26Above the expanse over their heads was the likeness of a throne with the appearance of sapphire, and on the throne high above was a figure like that of a man.
- Rev 4:6And before the throne was something like a sea of glass, as clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, covered with eyes in front and back.
- Rev 21:11shining with the glory of God. Its radiance was like a most precious jewel, like a jasper, as clear as crystal.
- Exod 24:10and they saw the God of Israel. Under His feet was a work like a pavement made of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself.
- Rev 4:3The One seated there looked like jasper and carnelian, and a rainbow that gleamed like an emerald encircled the throne.
- Job 37:22Out of the north He comes in golden splendor; awesome majesty surrounds Him.
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 1:22 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.