Ezekiel 1:24-25
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The incredible sound of the living creatures' wings isn't just about sheer volume; it signifies the overwhelming power and organized chaos of God's presence and command. Notice how the descriptions shift from natural forces like "many waters" to divine "Almighty" and then to human-like "speech" and "army," revealing the multifaceted, yet unified, way God operates through His creation.
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. And there came a voice from above the expanse over their heads. When they stood still, they let down their wings.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Ezekiel is in the midst of an overwhelming vision of God's majestic and terrifying presence, encountering four living creatures that move with the whirring wheels beside them. This verse describes the thunderous sound made by their wings as they move, a sound compared to rushing waters, the Almighty's voice like thunder, and the clamor of a great army, indicating the immense power and divine purpose behind their motion. When the creatures stop, their wings are lowered, signaling a pause in their dynamic movement and a readiness to receive God's next command.
Ezekiel hears an overwhelming sound accompanying the divine movement. What does this sonic landscape tell us about God's presence and power?
The sounds Ezekiel hears are incredibly powerful and multi-layered.
The Roar of Waters
Compared to "the noise of great waters," this evokes a sense of immense, unstoppable force, like a mighty river or crashing waves. It speaks to the sheer volume and overwhelming nature of divine action.
The Voice of the Almighty
This sound is like the voice of God himself, often associated with thunder. It’s a sound that commands awe and signifies divine authority and power, reminding us that God’s presence is not quiet or passive.
The Tumult of an Army
Finally, the sound is like an "army" or "host." This suggests organized, directed power, a vast multitude moving with purpose. It points to the active, intentional, and perhaps even overwhelming way God carries out His plans.
The creatures' posture changes drastically when they stop moving. What does this simple action reveal about obedience and readiness in God's service?
The vision highlights a dynamic of movement and stillness, action and repose, all under divine direction.
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The Action of Going
When the living creatures move, their wings make a tremendous sound – a sign of their active ministry and the powerful forces at play. This signifies God's work moving forward in the world.
The Stillness of Waiting
But when they stop, they "let down their wings." This isn't just a pause; it's a posture of readiness and attentiveness. It’s the divine servants bringing their activity to a halt to receive further instruction, showing complete submission to God's will. It implies that even in stillness, they are actively listening and waiting for His next command.
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 receives this vision of God's majestic and awe-inspiring chariot-throne while in exile in Babylon, a stark contrast to the devastated land and people he left behind. The immense power and divine presence described serve as a profound reminder that God's presence and sovereignty extend even into their captivity.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Empire Dominance
The Assyrian Empire, a major power in the Near East, exerted significant influence and control over the region, including Judah.
626 BC
Nebuchadnezzar Becomes King of Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II ascended the throne, marking the beginning of the Neo-Babylonian Empire's rise to power and its eventual conquest of Judah.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar's forces besieged Jerusalem, leading to the first major deportation of Judean elites, including Daniel, to Babylon. This event marked the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
597 BC— this verse
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar deported more Judeans, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon. This event directly precedes Ezekiel's prophetic ministry.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar's final siege resulted in the complete destruction of Jerusalem and Solomon's Temple, marking the end of the Kingdom of Judah and deepening the exile.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian Empire, under Cyrus, conquered Babylon, paving the way for the eventual return of the Jewish exiles to Judah.
This passage also describes a sound like 'the roar of a great waterfall' or 'the sound of mighty thunder,' echoing Ezekiel's description of immense, powerful divine sound.
Psalm 29:3-4The voice of the Lord is compared to thunder and great waters, mirroring Ezekiel's use of these powerful natural sounds to convey the overwhelming majesty and authority of God's presence.
Ezekiel 10:5This later passage in Ezekiel reiterates the 'sound of the wings of the living creatures' being heard as far as the outer court, and links it directly to the glory of God, reinforcing the divine nature of the sound.
Acts 2:2The coming of the Holy Spirit is described as a 'sound from heaven like a mighty rushing wind,' a powerful, pervasive sound that signifies God's active presence and work, similar to the overwhelming sound of the cherubim's wings.
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 incredible sound of the living creatures' wings isn't just about sheer volume; it signifies the overwhelming power and organized chaos of God's presence and command. Notice how the descriptions shift from natural forces like "many waters" to divine "Almighty" and then to human-like "speech" and "army," revealing the multifaceted, yet unified, way God operates through His creation.
Ezekiel is in the midst of an overwhelming vision of God's majestic and terrifying presence, encountering four living creatures that move with the whirring wheels beside them. This verse describes the thunderous sound made by their wings as they move, a sound compared to rushing waters, the Almighty's voice like thunder, and the clamor of a great army, indicating the immense power and divine purpose behind their motion. When the creatures stop, their wings are lowered, signaling a pause in their dynamic movement and a readiness to receive God's next command.
Ezekiel is in the midst of an overwhelming vision of God's majestic and terrifying presence, encountering four living creatures that move with the whirring wheels beside them. This verse describes the thunderous sound made by their wings as they move, a sound compared to rushing waters, the Almighty's voice like thunder, and the clamor of a great army, indicating the immense power and divine purpose behind their motion. When the creatures stop, their wings are lowered, signaling a pause in their dynamic movement and a readiness to receive God's next command.
"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. And there came a voice from…" — The incredible sound of the living creatures' wings isn't just about sheer volume; it signifies the overwhelming power and organized chaos of God's presence and command. Notice how the descriptions s…
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Last reviewed October 2026
