And the likeness of their faces was the same faces which I saw by the river of Chebar, their appearances and themselves: they went every one straight forward.

EZEKIEL 10:22KJV
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Ezekiel 10:22 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 10:22 mean?

Ezekiel 10:22 says that the faces of the living creatures Ezekiel saw in his vision by the river Chebar were the same as those he is seeing now; their appearance and actions have not changed, and each moved straight ahead. This verse emphasizes the consistency and unchanging nature of these heavenly beings as Ezekiel witnesses God's glory.

Ezekiel, a prophet among the Jewish exiles in Babylon, is describing a vision where he sees the same four living creatures he first saw by the river Chebar (earlier in Ezekiel 1). The verse highlights that these beings—often understood as cherubim—have not changed in form or behavior, reinforcing the reliability of Ezekiel’s earlier vision and the message he is receiving from God.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 10:22

  • "likeness" (דְּמוּת, d'mut): This word points to a resemblance or appearance rather than an exact form, showing that Ezekiel is describing what the creatures looked like, not necessarily their literal nature.
  • "faces" (פָּנִים, panim): Used twice in this verse, this word can mean both physical faces and presence, underlining the focus on their distinct appearance and possibly their role as beings who stand before God.
  • "straight" (עֵבֶר, eber): This word can mean "across" or "straight ahead," stressing that each creature moved directly forward without turning, which adds to the sense of purpose and order in their movement.

Why Ezekiel 10:22 matters

  • This verse reassures readers that Ezekiel’s visions are consistent and trustworthy, as the creatures he sees now are identical to those from his earlier vision, supporting the authenticity of his prophetic message.
  • The detail that each creature moved "straight forward" underscores their obedience and the directness of their mission, reflecting the orderliness of God’s heavenly realm.
  • By repeating the description, Ezekiel connects this vision to his first encounter with the creatures, helping readers see the unity and continuity in his experiences of God’s glory.

Where else these words appear

“Chebar” Hebrew H3529 · used in 8 verses

  • Ezekiel 1:1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
  • Ezekiel 3:15 Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.
  • Ezekiel 10:15 And the cherubims were lifted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar.

“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 1:28 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.

“same” Hebrew H1992 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
  • Numbers 13:3 And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel.
  • Psalms 16:3 But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.

“appearances” Hebrew H4758 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
  • Deuteronomy 28:34 So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.
  • Ezekiel 1:27 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.