Eze 1:12, 20-21 | JFB | STEP | 12. The same idea as in . The repetition is because we men are so hard to be brought to acknowledge the wisdom of God's doings; they seem tortuous and confused to us, but they are all tending steadily to one aim. the spirit —the secret impulse whereby God moves His angels to the end designed. They do not turn back or aside till they have fulfilled the office assigned them.

Ezekiel 1:12

12. The same idea as in Eze 1:9. The repetition is because we men are so hard to be brought to acknowledge the wisdom of God's doings; they seem tortuous and confused to us, but they are all tending steadily to one aim.

the spirit—the secret impulse whereby God moves His angels to the end designed. They do not turn back or aside till they have fulfilled the office assigned them.

Ezekiel 1:20-21

20. the spirit was to go—that is, their will was for going whithersoever the Spirit was for going.

over against them—rather, beside or in conjunction with them.

spirit of the living creature—put collectively for "the living creatures"; the cherubim. Having first viewed them separately, he next views them in the aggregate as the composite living creature in which the Spirit resided. The life intended is that connected with God, holy, spiritual life, in the plenitude of its active power.

21. over against—rather, "along with" [HENDERSON]; or, "beside" [FAIRBAIRN].