And when they went, I heard the sound of their wings like the sound of many waters, like the sound of the Almighty, a sound of tumult like the sound of an army. When they stood still, they let down their wings.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse describes the sound of these heavenly beings not just as "noise," but as a "voice" – like the sound of powerful waters, thunder, or a vast army, yet also like "speech." This emphasizes that their incredible, awe-inspiring movements are directed by an intelligent, communicative will, not just random power.
And when they went, I heard the sound of their wings like the sound of many waters, like the sound of the Almighty, a sound of tumult like the sound of an army. When they stood still, they let down their wings.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Ezekiel has just described four incredible living creatures with wheels that moved with them, all driven by an unseen power. This verse focuses on the overwhelming sound produced by these beings when they move – a roaring like immense waters, the mighty thunder of God, and the clamor of a vast army – highlighting the awe-inspiring power behind their motion. When they stop, the sound ceases as their wings are lowered, signaling a pause in their divine activity and obedience.
Ezekiel describes the sound of these heavenly beings not just as noise, but as a symphony of immense power. What does this incredible sound tell us about God's presence and His work?
Ezekiel uses a series of powerful comparisons to describe the sound of the living creatures' wings: 'like the sound of many waters, like the sound of the Almighty, a sound of tumult like the sound of an army.' These aren't just random sounds; they are meant to convey the overwhelming majesty and power of God.
The Power of Many Waters
Think of the roar of a massive waterfall or waves crashing on a shore. This 'sound of many waters' speaks to an immense, unstoppable force. It suggests God's presence is not quiet or timid, but a dynamic, powerful reality.
The Voice of the Almighty
Comparing the sound to 'the voice of the Almighty' points directly to God Himself. This is often associated with thunder – a sound that commands awe and signals divine power. It’s a reminder that these beings are directly connected to God’s supreme authority.
Tumult and Army
The descriptions 'sound of tumult' and 'sound of an army' evoke a sense of overwhelming, organized power. While 'tumult' might sound chaotic, in this context, it's likely the immense, awe-inspiring sound of a perfectly ordered, vast heavenly host. It speaks to God’s complete control and the sheer scale of His divine operations.
Ask a follow-up
The movement of these celestial beings is directly tied to their actions. What does their switching between motion and stillness reveal about divine will and our response?
The verse contrasts the 'going' of the living creatures with their 'standing still.' This isn't just random movement; it's a picture of perfect obedience to a higher command.
Motion Follows Command
'When they went, I heard the noise of their wings...' This links their powerful sound and movement to their action. When they are engaged in their divine task, the sound is immense. But this motion isn't self-initiated.
Stillness Reveals Rest
'...when they stood still, they let down their wings.' This stillness is significant. It implies a pause, a moment of cessation of activity, perhaps even a posture of reverence or readiness to receive further instruction. It’s not an idle rest, but an active waiting upon God’s command. This demonstrates that even in their 'standing still,' they are completely aligned with God's will.
Understand the original words
Shaddai · Hebrew Noun
The singular, personal, and supreme God of Israel, often used to emphasize His omnipotence, sovereignty, and covenant-keeping nature.
Ezekiel's vision of God's majestic, thundering chariot-throne occurs during the devastating final destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple. The overwhelming sounds he describes reflect the terrifying divine power that, while seeming to bring judgment, also signifies the unstoppable movement of God's plan, even amidst utter devastation.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon conquers Judah and deports a portion of the population, including members of the royal family and skilled individuals. This event marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
c. 597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
Following a revolt, Nebuchadnezzar deports more Judeans, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel himself. This marks a significant escalation of Babylonian control and the exile deepens.
c. 586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Babylonian forces under Nebuchadnezzar destroy Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, the center of Jewish worship. This catastrophic event marks the nadir of Jewish national and religious life.
c. 586 BC - 538 BC
Babylonian Exile Continues
The majority of the remaining Judean population is exiled to Babylon. During this period, they live in communities within the Babylonian empire, maintaining their religious identity in a foreign land.
539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers the Babylonian Empire. This shift in power eventually leads to the decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland.
538 BC
Return of Exiles Begins
Cyrus issues a decree permitting the Jewish exiles to return to Judah and rebuild the Temple. This marks the beginning of the end of the Babylonian exile.
This passage describes Jesus' voice as sounding like the roar of rushing waters, echoing the immense, powerful, and overwhelming sound associated with the divine presence seen in Ezekiel's vision.
Psalm 29:3The 'voice of the LORD' is depicted as powerful and majestic, likened to thunder over the waters, which directly parallels Ezekiel's description of the wings' sound as like 'many waters' and 'the voice of the Almighty'.
Ezekiel 10:5This later passage in Ezekiel reiterates the connection between the cherubim's movements and the sound of God's voice, directly linking the sound of their wings to 'the voice of God Almighty,' reinforcing the divine nature of the sound.
Isaiah 17:12The 'noise of a great multitude' or 'roar of many waters' is used here to describe an invading army, illustrating how the immense, tumultuous sound of the cherubim's wings conveyed a sense of overwhelming power and divine force, much like a vast army.
clarkeEzekiel 1:24: "And 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."
The noise of their wings - When the whirlwind drove the wheels, the wind rustling among the wings was like the noise of many waters; like a waterfall, or waters dashing continually against the rocks, or rushing down precipices. As the voice of the Almighty - Like distant thund…
calvinEzekiel 1:24: "And 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."
And 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.
Et audivi vocem alarum ipsorum sicuti vocem aquarum magnarum v…
The verse describes the sound of these heavenly beings not just as "noise," but as a "voice" – like the sound of powerful waters, thunder, or a vast army, yet also like "speech." This emphasizes that their incredible, awe-inspiring movements are directed by an intelligent, communicative will, not just random power.
Ezekiel has just described four incredible living creatures with wheels that moved with them, all driven by an unseen power. This verse focuses on the overwhelming sound produced by these beings when they move – a roaring like immense waters, the mighty thunder of God, and the clamor of a vast army – highlighting the awe-inspiring power behind their motion. When they stop, the sound ceases as their wings are lowered, signaling a pause in their divine activity and obedience.
Ezekiel has just described four incredible living creatures with wheels that moved with them, all driven by an unseen power. This verse focuses on the overwhelming sound produced by these beings when they move – a roaring like immense waters, the mighty thunder of God, and the clamor of a vast army – highlighting the awe-inspiring power behind their motion. When they stop, the sound ceases as their wings are lowered, signaling a pause in their divine activity and obedience.
"And when they went, I heard the sound of their wings like the sound of many waters, like the sound of the Almighty, a sound of tumult like the sound of an army. When they stood still, they let down their wings." — The verse describes the sound of these heavenly beings not just as "noise," but as a "voice" – like the sound of powerful waters, thunder, or a vast army, yet also like "speech." This emphasizes that…
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Last reviewed October 2026