And every one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, and the second face was the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.

EZEKIEL 10:14KJV
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Ezekiel 10:14 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 10:14 mean?

Ezekiel 10:14 describes a vision in which each of the living creatures has four faces: one like a cherub, one like a man, one like a lion, and one like an eagle. This detail shows the creatures as complex and symbolic beings, each face representing a different aspect or quality.

In the book of Ezekiel, the prophet is describing a vision of God's glory departing from the temple, and these living creatures are closely associated with God's throne. The four faces highlight the mysterious and powerful nature of these beings, which are called cherubim, and suggest that they embody multiple characteristics—human, animal, and angelic—at the same time.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 10:14

  • פָּנִים (panim, "faces"): This word is used repeatedly to emphasize that each creature has more than one face, underlining their unusual and supernatural appearance.
  • כְּרוּב (keruv, "cherub"): The face of a cherub is mentioned first, which is unique to this verse compared to Ezekiel 1, where the first face is that of an ox. This difference draws attention to the special role or identity of the cherubim in this vision.
  • אָדָם (adam, "man"): The face of a man is included, suggesting intelligence or humanity as part of what these creatures represent.
  • אַרְיֵה (aryeh, "lion") and נֶשֶׁר (nesher, "eagle"): These faces add the qualities of strength (lion) and swiftness or vision (eagle), showing that the creatures combine various strengths.

Why Ezekiel 10:14 matters

  • Ezekiel 10:14 clarifies that the living creatures seen by Ezekiel are not ordinary beings but are meant to represent something far greater, combining multiple forms and qualities.
  • The mention of the cherub face instead of the ox (as in Ezekiel 1) suggests a shift in focus, possibly highlighting the cherubim’s unique role in God's presence and the vision of the temple.
  • This verse helps connect the vision in Ezekiel 10 with earlier descriptions in Ezekiel 1, showing consistency and development in how Ezekiel understands and describes these heavenly beings.

Where else these words appear

“eagle” Hebrew H5404 · used in 26 verses

  • Exodus 19:4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.
  • Psalms 103:5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
  • Jeremiah 49:22 Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.

“fourth” Hebrew H7243 · used in 54 verses

  • Genesis 1:19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
  • 2 Samuel 3:4 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
  • 1 Chronicles 26:11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brethren of Hosah were thirteen.

“cherub” Hebrew H3742 · used in 66 verses

  • Genesis 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
  • 1 Kings 6:28 And he overlaid the cherubims with gold.
  • Isaiah 37:16 O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.

“lion” Hebrew H738 · used in 72 verses

  • Genesis 49:9 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?
  • 2 Kings 17:25 And so it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not the LORD: therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which slew some of them.
  • Isaiah 65:25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.