And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.

EZEKIEL 1:27KJV
Know the Bible

Ezekiel 1:27 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 1:27 mean?

Ezekiel 1:27 describes the prophet Ezekiel’s vision of a radiant, fiery figure on God’s throne, shining with the color of amber and surrounded by brilliant light, with fire appearing both above and below the figure’s waist. The verse uses vivid imagery to communicate the overwhelming brightness and glory of what Ezekiel saw.

In this passage, Ezekiel is recounting his vision by the Kebar River, where he sees a heavenly being as part of his call to be a prophet. The description emphasizes the mysterious and awe-inspiring nature of God’s presence, using the language of fire and glowing metal to express something beyond ordinary human experience.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 1:27

  • "Amber" (חַשְׁמַל, ḥashmal): This word is often understood as a glowing, shining metal or a radiant substance, not the fossilized tree resin we call amber today. It suggests a dazzling, almost electric brightness.
  • "Brightness" (נֹגַהּ, nogah): This word means a shining or radiance, highlighting that the figure is not just fiery but also surrounded by an intense, luminous glow.
  • "Loins" (מָתְנַיִם, motnayim): This refers to the waist or midsection, marking the division between the upper and lower parts of the figure, which are both described as fiery in appearance.

Why Ezekiel 1:27 matters

  • Ezekiel 1:27 helps clarify that Ezekiel is not seeing a human figure in ordinary terms, but rather a vision of God’s glory that defies normal description, using fire and light to convey holiness and power.
  • The verse emphasizes the separation between the upper and lower parts of the figure, which may connect to ancient ideas about the transcendence and mystery of God—He is both revealed and hidden.
  • This vision sets the stage for the rest of Ezekiel’s prophetic ministry, showing that his message comes from a direct, awe-inspiring encounter with the divine presence.

Where else these words appear

“amber” Hebrew H2830 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezekiel 1:4 And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.
  • Ezekiel 8:2 Then I beheld, and lo a likeness as the appearance of fire: from the appearance of his loins even downward, fire; and from his loins even upward, as the appearance of brightness, as the colour of amber.

“downward” Hebrew H4295 · used in 18 verses

  • Exodus 26:24 And they shall be coupled together beneath, and they shall be coupled together above the head of it unto one ring: thus shall it be for them both; they shall be for the two corners.
  • Exodus 39:20 And they made two other golden rings, and put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart of it, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod.
  • Ezra 9:13 And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this;

“brightness” Hebrew H5051 · used in 19 verses

  • 2 Samuel 22:13 Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.
  • Isaiah 60:3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
  • Ezekiel 10:4 Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD'S glory.

“loins” Hebrew H4975 · used in 45 verses

  • Genesis 37:34 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.
  • Nehemiah 4:18 For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.
  • Jeremiah 13:11 For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the LORD; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.