John Calvin Commentary Ezekiel 1:5

"And out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man." — Ezekiel 1:5 (ASV)

I have already explained why God showed four angels to his Prophet in the form of four animals. It was necessary to turn a little aside from the sanctuary, since the whole legal worship was offensive to the profane. God therefore descends, as it were, from heaven and appears familiarly on earth. It is as if he would say that he not only reigned above among his angels but also exercised his power here, because angels are engaged on earth and are connected with all regions of the globe. And the conclusion is that God’s providence is diffused everywhere.

He says, these animals have the likeness of a man, which does not seem in accordance with the rest of the context. He will immediately say that each animal had four heads and that their feet were round or like those of a calf, as some interpret it.

But here he says they have the form of a man. The solution is that their foremost feet are like those of a man, although different in some respects. Nor is it doubtful that the Prophet beheld cherubim as angels of God.

Wings also do not suit human nature. However, he means that they had the usual human stature. Although they are not entirely like human beings, there is still much likeness in their general appearance. And now we understand why it is said that the likeness was human.