This eBook was produced by David Widger
from etext #1581 prepared by Dennis McCarthy, Atlanta, Georgiaand Tad Book, student, Pontifical North American College, Rome.
Translated from the Latin Vulgate
Diligently Compared with the Hebrew, Greek,and Other Editions in Divers Languages
THE OLD TESTAMENT
First Published by the English College at Douay
A.D. 1609 & 1610
and
THE NEW TESTAMENT
First Published by the English College at Rheims
A.D. 1582
With Annotations
The Whole Revised and Diligently Compared withthe Latin Vulgate by Bishop Richard ChallonerA.D. 1749-1752
EZECHIEL, whose name signifies the STRENGTH OF GOD, was of the priestlyrace; and of the number of captives that were carried away to Babylonwith king JOACHIN. He was contemporary with JEREMIAS, and prophesied tothe same effect in Babylon, as JEREMIAS did in Jerusalem; and is said tohave ended his days in like manner, by martyrdom.
Ezechiel Chapter 1
The time of Ezechiel's prophecy: he sees a glorious vision.
1:1. Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, onthe fifth day of the month, when I was in the midst of the captives bythe river Chobar, the heavens were opened, and I saw the visions of God.
The thirtieth year… Either of the age of Ezechiel; or, as others willhave it, from the solemn covenant made in the eighteenth year of thereign of Josias. 4 Kings 23.
1:2. On the fifth day of the month, the same was the fifth year of thecaptivity of king Joachin,
1:3. The word of the Lord came to Ezechiel the priest the son of Buzi inthe land of the Chaldeans, by the river Chobar: and the hand of the Lordwas there upon him.
1:4. And I saw, and behold a whirlwind came out of the north: and agreat cloud, and a fire infolding it, and brightness was about it: andout of the midst thereof, that is, out of the midst of the fire, as itwere the resemblance of amber:
1:5. And in the midst thereof the likeness of four living creatures: andthis was their appearance: there was the likeness of a man in them.
Living creatures… Cherubims (as appears from Ecclesiasticus 49.10)represented to the prophet under these mysterious shapes, as supportingthe throne of God, and as it were drawing his chariot. All this chapterappeared so obscure, and so full of mysteries to the ancient Hebrews,that, as we learn from St. Jerome, (Ep. ad Paulin.,) they suffered noneto read it before they were thirty years old.
1:6. Every one had four faces, and every one four wings.
1:7. Their feet were straight feet, and the sole of their foot was likethe sole of a calf's foot, and they sparkled like the appearance ofglowing brass.
1:8. And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their foursides: and they had faces, and wings on the four sides,
1:9. And the wings of one were joined to the wings of another. Theyturned not when they went: but every one went straight forward.
1:10. And as for the likeness of their faces: there was the face of aman, and the face of a lion on the right side of all the four: and theface of an ox, on the left side of all the four