Epistle of Saint Mark

Ezechiel 1:10-14

As for the likeness of the faces of the four living creatures; there was the face of a man, and the face of a lion on the right side of all the four; and the face of an ox on the left side of all the four; and the face of an eagle over all the four. And their faces and their wings were stretched up- ward; two wings of every one were joined, and two covered their bodies; and every one of them went straight forward; whither the impulse of the spirit was to go, thither they went, and they turned not when they went. And as for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like that of burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps. This was the vision running to and fro in the midst of the living creatures, a bright fire, and lightning going forth from the fire. And the living creatures ran and returned like flashes of lightning.

Haydock

Verse 10. Over. This is not specified in Heb. Chal. Sept. or S. Jer. C. — “The face of an eagle for all the four.” It mist have been above or behind the man, as the situation of the other two faces is here determined. v. 6. H.

Verse 11. Faces. Sept. “wings:” and indeed it does not appear how their faces were stretched upwards, (C.) unless they looked earnestly that way; though, out of respect, they covered their faces with two wings.

Verse 14. Flashes. Heb. Bazak. H. — Theodotion retains the original. His version seems to have been inserted in the Sept. (C.) who omitted this verse, as seeming to contradict v. 9. and 12. S. Jer. — Yet it only signifies that the motion was quick as lightning, though they did not alter their situation with respect to each other.

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