John Calvin Commentary Ezekiel 10:11-12

"When they went, they went in their four directions: they turned not as they went, but to the place whither the head looked they followed it; they turned not as they went. And their whole body, and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes round about, [even] the wheels that they four had." — Ezekiel 10:11-12 (ASV)

Now, as I have remarked, after the Prophet has granted that some events seem twisted and indirect, and that God acts through winding paths, he then shows that God does nothing rashly. Furthermore, he demonstrates that the events we consider tumultuous and confused actually have a specific direction, and indeed, the best one.

For this reason he says, first, that the wheels had set out, they did not return, since each followed its own head. Interpreters do not agree on these words.

Regarding the turning of the head, some translate it as “the first,” and thus mean that whichever way the first cherub goes, the others follow. However, I rather think that the wheels are compared with the cherubs themselves, and the singular noun 'head' is used here for 'heads,' for we previously saw that wheels were attached to each cherub.

Therefore, each wheel has its own head—that is, a living creature by which it is ruled. Hence, the Prophet's meaning is that the wheels did not turn to one side or the other by any outward or sudden impulse, but were governed by the cherubim themselves. This will explain this portion more clearly.

He adds, that the wheels were full of eyes. From this we gather that although, through the course of events, God may seem to act capriciously and follow various unpredictable paths, yet all things are governed by His inestimable wisdom. For this reason, the wheels are said to be full of eyes.

The Prophet uses the word flesh unconventionally to refer to the actual body of the wheels.

But we know that the language he used in exile was not very elegant; therefore, it is not at all surprising if it is rather unrefined and seems somewhat harsh. Yet the meaning is not in doubt, since the whole body of the wheels in their back and their hands was entirely full of eyes.

He next adds the phrase the wheels themselves, not to indicate anything different. Instead, after speaking of the flesh, the back, and the hands, he then refers to the wheels simply, as if to say that they were full of eyes in every part.

Now we see how things contrary in appearance can be best reconciled. For the events of things are as unstable as if someone kept turning a wheel; then they become complicated, as if a wheel were within a wheel.

But in the meantime, God so orders all things that seem confused to us, that it becomes clear He perceives best what needs to be done, and that the events of things are full of eyes.

But from where does this arise? This clarity depends on angelic inspiration, for the wheels are not turned in different directions of their own accord, but each follows its own leader and head.

It is also said, in appearance like the stone Tharsis (beryl). Jerome thought the Cilician sea was intended and so translated it as sky-colored. However, because we know that this name 'beryl' occurs among precious stones, I therefore retain the straightforward meaning.