Ezekiel 1:24 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The sound of their wings resembles thunder, mighty waters, and the voice of God; stillness brings silence.
The Context of Ezekiel 1:24
The creatures' movement produces sound that is the audible expression of divine authority.
What Does Ezekiel 1:24 Mean?
The multiple comparisons—great waters, voice of the Almighty, voice of speech, noise of a host—layer together to convey a sound so overwhelming and powerful that earthly words can barely capture it. When the creatures move, the noise is tremendous and all-encompassing. But when they stand still, they let down their wings, creating silence—indicating that motion and sound are inseparable, and stillness brings cessation.
The equation of the creatures' movement-sound with 'the voice of the Almighty' suggests that the creatures' motion is actually the audible manifestation of God's word and command. What the prophet hears is not merely mechanical motion but the sound of divine utterance taking place in creation.
Ezekiel 1:24 in the Original Language
qol (קוֹל), 'voice' or 'sound' — a specific utterance or the carrying power of speech; here the sound itself becomes a form of divine communication.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 1:24
What does Ezekiel 1:24 mean?
The sound of their wings resembles thunder, mighty waters, and the voice of God; stillness brings silence.
What is the context of Ezekiel 1:24?
The creatures' movement produces sound that is the audible expression of divine authority.