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.

EZEKIEL 1:24KJV
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Ezekiel 1:24 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 1:24 mean?

Ezekiel 1:24 describes the overwhelming sound made by the wings of the living creatures in Ezekiel’s vision, comparing it to the roar of rushing waters, the voice of God, and the noise of a large army. When the creatures stopped moving, they lowered their wings and the noise ceased.

In this scene, the prophet Ezekiel is witnessing a vision by the Kebar River, where he sees four extraordinary living beings as part of a larger vision of God’s glory. The verse uses powerful comparisons to help the reader imagine the intensity and awe-inspiring nature of the sound, emphasizing the majesty and might of what Ezekiel is seeing and hearing.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 1:24

  • The word for "noise" (קוֹל, qol) appears several times in this verse, and can mean "voice," "sound," or "noise." Its repetition highlights the intensity and variety of the sounds Ezekiel hears.
  • "Great waters" uses מַיִם רַבִּים (mayim rabbim), meaning "many" or "great waters," which often describes the sound of a powerful, unstoppable force in the Hebrew Bible.
  • "Almighty" is שַׁדַּי (Shaddai), a name for God that emphasizes His overwhelming power and might; the sound is compared to the very voice of God.
  • "Host" (מַחֲנֶה, machaneh) means "army" or "camp," so the noise is also likened to the sound of a large group of people or soldiers, adding to the sense of awe and power.

Why Ezekiel 1:24 matters

  • This verse helps the reader sense the overwhelming, almost terrifying majesty of God’s presence as experienced by Ezekiel, not just visually but through sound.
  • The comparisons to rushing water, God’s voice, and an army show that what Ezekiel is witnessing is beyond ordinary human experience, setting the stage for the seriousness of his prophetic calling.
  • The detail that the creatures lower their wings and the noise stops when they stand still suggests order and reverence in the presence of God, not chaos or confusion.

Where else these words appear

“speech” Hebrew H1999 · used in 2 verses

  • Jeremiah 11:16 The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.

“down” Hebrew H7503 · used in 45 verses

  • Exodus 4:26 So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.
  • 1 Samuel 15:16 Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on.
  • Psalms 138:8 The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

“Almighty” Hebrew H7706 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
  • Job 8:5 If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;
  • Job 27:13 This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty.

“wings” Hebrew H3671 · used in 85 verses

  • Genesis 1:21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
  • Job 37:3 He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.
  • Ezekiel 1:6 And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.