As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.

EZEKIEL 1:28KJV
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Ezekiel 1:28 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 1:28 mean?

Ezekiel 1:28 describes Ezekiel’s vision of a radiant, rainbow-like light surrounding what he calls “the likeness of the glory of the LORD.” Overwhelmed by this display, Ezekiel falls facedown and hears a voice speaking to him. The verse uses the image of a rainbow after rain to express the awe-inspiring and mysterious nature of God’s presence.

In this verse, Ezekiel is recounting his first vision as a prophet, which takes place while he is among the exiles in Babylon. The description builds up to this climactic moment, where the dazzling brightness and the rainbow symbolize both beauty and a sense of divine promise. Ezekiel’s reaction—falling on his face—shows deep reverence and fear in response to encountering something far greater than himself.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 1:28

  • "appearance" (מַרְאֶה, mar’eh): This word is used several times in the verse, emphasizing that Ezekiel is describing what he sees, not claiming to see God directly, but rather a visible representation or likeness.
  • "bow" (קֶשֶׁת, qeshet): This is the Hebrew word for “rainbow,” which often carries associations of God’s covenant with Noah and signals hope and mercy after judgment.
  • "glory" (כָּבוֹד, kavod): This word means “weight” or “honor” and is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe the overwhelming presence and majesty of God, not just visual brightness but a sense of importance and holiness.
  • "likeness" (דְּמוּת, demut): This word highlights that Ezekiel is seeing a form or representation, not the full reality of God, underlining the mystery and distance between God and humans.

Why Ezekiel 1:28 matters

  • Ezekiel 1:28 clarifies that even a prophet only sees a “likeness” of God’s glory, not God Himself, which helps avoid misunderstandings about seeing God directly.
  • The use of the rainbow image connects Ezekiel’s vision to earlier biblical themes of God’s faithfulness and mercy, especially after times of judgment or hardship.
  • This verse sets the tone for the rest of Ezekiel’s book, showing that his message comes from a powerful and holy source, and that encountering God’s presence is a humbling, overwhelming experience.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“likeness” Hebrew H1823 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
  • Isaiah 40:18 To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?
  • 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.

“rain” Hebrew H1653 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 7:12 And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.
  • Ezra 10:13 But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain, and we are not able to stand without, neither is this a work of one day or two: for we are many that have transgressed in this thing.
  • Jeremiah 5:24 Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.

“bow” Hebrew H7198 · used in 74 verses

  • Genesis 9:13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
  • 2 Chronicles 17:17 And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand.
  • Isaiah 41:2 Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow.