New American Standard Bible 1995

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Ezekiel

1

:

5

Within it there were figures resembling four living beings. And this was their appearance: they had human form.

Lexicon

Verse part Definition: Part of speech: Strong's: Hebrew: Transliteration:
Within midst Noun H8432 וּמִ֨תֹּוכָ֔הּ u·mit·to·v·chah,
it there were figures likeness, similitude Noun H1823 דְּמ֖וּת de·mut
resembling likeness, similitude Noun H1823 דְּמ֥וּת de·mut
four four Noun H702 אַרְבַּ֣ע ar·ba
Analysis:

Four: The world, four is the global number

The number "four" has a global or relates to the world. There are some common and similar expressions in the Scripture, which are "the four winds of the heavens" or "the four corners of the earth" or "the four ends of the heavens."  Each of these expressions relate to the earth or the world in a collective manner. In the book of Daniel chapter 2, one reads about a dream which Nebuchadnezzar dreamed. In this dream, he saw an image set up and this image had four distinct parts. Each of these parts represented an empire which ruled over the world.

In the book of Deuteronomy chapter 22, Israel is told to make a four-corner garment and place a tzitzit upon each corner. The tzitzit represents the Biblical commandments of the Torah (see Numbers chapter 15). These commandments are understood as being a framework for life in this world, as when one dies, the tzitzit are removed from one's four corner garment for burial. 

In the books of Ezekiel and Revelation, one encounters the four beasts, which are in the heavens and never cease to praise HaShem. It is understood that the four beasts who continuously say, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God of Hosts, Who was and is and is to come" (see Revelation 4:6-9) are related to the will of God for all the world (His creation). In a similar manner, one of the Seraphim called to another saying, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of Hosts, all of the earth (shall be) with His Glory." 

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living beings. living thing, animal H2421    
And this this, here Pronoun H2088 וְזֶה֙ ve·zeh
was their appearance: sight, appearance, vision Noun H4758 מַרְאֵֽיהֶ֔ן mar·'ei·hen,
they had human man, mankind Noun H120 אָדָ֖ם a·dam
form. likeness, similitude Noun H1823    

Parallel Verses

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New American Standard Bible 1995 Within it there were figures resembling four living beings. And this was their appearance: they had human form.
King James Bible Within it there were figures resembling Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living beings. creatures. And this was their appearance: appearance; they had human form.the likeness of a man.
Hebrew Greek English Within it there were figures resembling four living beings. And this was their appearance: they had human form.