Then I looked and saw a figure like that of a man. From His waist down His appearance was like fire, and from His waist up He was as bright as the gleam of amber. Then I lookedThis phrase indicates a moment of divine revelation. Ezekiel, a prophet during the Babylonian exile, is granted a vision. The Hebrew root for "looked" is "ra'ah," which implies not just seeing with the eyes but perceiving with understanding. This suggests that Ezekiel is not merely observing but is being given insight into spiritual realities. and saw a figure like that of a man
The "figure like that of a man" is a theophany, a visible manifestation of God. In Hebrew, the word for "figure" is "tabnith," which can mean a form or likeness. This indicates that while the figure resembles a man, it is not merely human. This aligns with other biblical theophanies where God appears in a form that humans can comprehend, yet remains distinct in His divine nature. From what appeared to be His waist down, He was like fire
Fire in biblical symbolism often represents God's holiness, purity, and judgment. The Hebrew word for "fire" is "esh," which conveys both the consuming and purifying aspects of God's presence. This imagery suggests that the lower part of the figure is indicative of God's purifying judgment, a theme consistent with the context of Ezekiel's prophecies against idolatry and sin. and from His waist up, He was as bright as the gleam of amber
The term "amber" is translated from the Hebrew word "chashmal," which is a unique term in the Bible, often associated with a glowing, radiant substance. This brightness signifies the glory and majesty of God. The "waist up" being bright as amber suggests the divine nature and the glory of God, emphasizing His transcendence and the awe-inspiring nature of His presence. Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet and priest during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is the recipient of divine visions and messages, tasked with conveying God's words to the Israelites. 2. The FigureThis figure is often interpreted as a theophany, a visible manifestation of God, or possibly an angelic being. The description of fire and brightness suggests divine presence and glory. 3. The VisionThis event is part of a larger vision where Ezekiel is shown the abominations being committed in the temple in Jerusalem, highlighting the spiritual corruption of the people. Teaching Points The Holiness of GodThe imagery of fire and brightness in the vision underscores God's holiness and purity. Believers are called to recognize and revere the holiness of God in their lives. Divine Judgment and PresenceThe vision serves as a reminder of God's omnipresence and His awareness of human actions. It calls believers to live righteously, knowing that God sees all. Spiritual DiscernmentEzekiel's vision challenges believers to seek spiritual discernment, understanding the spiritual realities behind physical appearances and actions. Repentance and RenewalThe context of the vision, revealing the abominations in the temple, calls for repentance and a return to true worship. Believers are encouraged to examine their own lives for areas needing spiritual renewal. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the description of the figure in Ezekiel 8:2 enhance our understanding of God's nature and character? 2. In what ways can the imagery of fire and brightness in this vision inspire a deeper reverence for God's holiness in our daily lives? 3. How does this vision of divine presence and judgment challenge us to live with integrity and accountability before God? 4. What parallels can we draw between Ezekiel's vision and other biblical accounts of divine appearances, and how do these inform our understanding of God's interaction with humanity? 5. How can we apply the call to spiritual discernment and repentance from Ezekiel's vision to our personal and communal faith practices today? Connections to Other Scriptures Revelation 1:14-15The description of the figure in Ezekiel 8:2 is reminiscent of the vision of Christ in Revelation, where He is described with similar imagery of fire and brightness, symbolizing purity and divine judgment. Daniel 10:6Daniel's vision of a man with a body like beryl and eyes like flaming torches parallels Ezekiel's vision, emphasizing the majesty and power of divine messengers. Exodus 24:17The appearance of the glory of the Lord as a consuming fire on Mount Sinai connects to the imagery of fire in Ezekiel's vision, representing God's holiness and presence. People Ezekiel, Jaazaniah, ShaphanPlaces JerusalemTopics Amber, Appearance, Appeared, Beheld, Behold, Below, Body, Brass, Bright, Brightness, Bronze, Color, Colour, Copper, Downward, Electrum, Fire, Form, Gleaming, Glowing, Likeness, Loins, Metal, Middle, Shining, Sort, Upward, WaistDictionary of Bible Themes Ezekiel 8:2 8326 purity, moral and spiritual Ezekiel 8:1-3 1457 trance Library Chambers of Imagery
'Then said He unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery!'--EZEKIEL viii. 12. This is part of a vision which came to the prophet in his captivity. He is carried away in imagination from his home amongst the exiles in the East to the Temple of Jerusalem. There he sees in one dreadful series representations of all the forms of idolatry to which the handful that were left in the land were cleaving. There meets …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureA Message from the Crowned Christ
(Revelation, Chapters ii and iii) "The glory of love is brightest when the glory of self is dim, And they have the most compelled me who most have pointed to Him. They have held me, stirred me, swayed me,--I have hung on their every word, Till I fain would arise and follow, not them, not them,--but their Lord!"[64] Patmos Spells Patience. Patience is strength at its strongest, using all its strength in holding back from doing something. Patience is love at flood pleading with strength to hold steady …
by S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation The Synagogue at Nazareth - Synagogue-Worship and Arrangements.
The stay in Cana, though we have no means of determining its length, was probably of only short duration. Perhaps the Sabbath of the same week already found Jesus in the Synagogue of Nazareth. We will not seek irreverently to lift the veil of sacred silence, which here, as elsewhere, the Gospel-narratives have laid over the Sanctuary of His inner Life. That silence is itself theopneustic, of Divine breathing and inspiration; it is more eloquent than any eloquence, a guarantee of the truthfulness …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah What the Ruler's Discrimination Should be Between Correction and Connivance, Between Fervour and Gentleness.
It should be known too that the vices of subjects ought sometimes to be prudently connived at, but indicated in that they are connived at; that things, even though openly known, ought sometimes to be seasonably tolerated, but sometimes, though hidden, be closely investigated; that they ought sometimes to be gently reproved, but sometimes vehemently censured. For, indeed, some things, as we have said, ought to be prudently connived at, but indicated in that they are connived at, so that, when the …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Of the Necessity of Divine Influences to Produce Regeneration in the Soul.
Titus iii. 5, 6. Titus iii. 5, 6. Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. IF my business were to explain and illustrate this scripture at large, it would yield an ample field for accurate criticism and useful discourse, and more especially would lead us into a variety of practical remarks, on which it would be pleasant …
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
WHEREIN ITS GOODLY LIGHT, WALLS, GATES, ANGELS, AND THE MANNER OF THEIR STANDING, ARE EXPOUNDED: ALSO HER LENGTH AND BREADTH, TOGETHER WITH THE GOLDEN MEASURING-REED EXPLAINED: AND THE GLORY OF ALL UNFOLDED. AS ALSO THE NUMEROUSNESS OF ITS INHABITANTS; AND WHAT THE TREE AND WATER OF LIFE ARE, BY WHICH THEY ARE SUSTAINED. 'Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.'-Psalm 87:3 'And the name of the city from that day shall be, THE LORD IS THERE.'-Ezekiel 48:35 London: Printed in the year 1665 …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The Seventh Commandment
Thou shalt not commit adultery.' Exod 20: 14. God is a pure, holy spirit, and has an infinite antipathy against all uncleanness. In this commandment he has entered his caution against it; non moechaberis, Thou shalt not commit adultery.' The sum of this commandment is, The preservations of corporal purity. We must take heed of running on the rock of uncleanness, and so making shipwreck of our chastity. In this commandment there is something tacitly implied, and something expressly forbidden. 1. The …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Ezekiel
To a modern taste, Ezekiel does not appeal anything like so powerfully as Isaiah or Jeremiah. He has neither the majesty of the one nor the tenderness and passion of the other. There is much in him that is fantastic, and much that is ritualistic. His imaginations border sometimes on the grotesque and sometimes on the mechanical. Yet he is a historical figure of the first importance; it was very largely from him that Judaism received the ecclesiastical impulse by which for centuries it was powerfully …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ezekiel 8:2 NIVEzekiel 8:2 NLTEzekiel 8:2 ESVEzekiel 8:2 NASBEzekiel 8:2 KJV
Ezekiel 8:2 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
