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.
Study Note
Study Note
'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' — the extended qualification in Ezekiel's throne-chariot vision — 'appearance of... likeness of... glory' — represents the prophet's careful literary restraint before the absolute mystery of divine presence. The rainbow recalls Genesis 9:13–17 and its covenant function, but here frames the divine throne in covenant-mercy light even within the context of judgment announced in chapters 2–3. Revelation 4:3 applies the same rainbow-around-the-throne imagery to the eschatological heavenly court, showing the deep continuity between Ezekiel's inaugural vision and John's apocalyptic reception.
Other Translations
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 Jehovah. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.
As the appearance of the bow that is in a cloud in a day of rain, so <FI>is<Fi> the appearance of the brightness round about.
Like the bow in the cloud on a day of rain, so was the light shining round him. And this is what the glory of the Lord was like. And when I saw it I went down on my face, and the voice of one talking came to my ears.
Cross References
I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me …
And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting …
And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the Lord; for that he heareth your murmurings against …
And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked …
And the glory of the Lord abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh …
And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.
And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be …
And there came a fire out from before the Lord, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the …
And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself …