When they went is better rendered “When they moved” (New Revised Standard Version).

They went in any of their four directions: New International Version understands this clause to mean that “they [the wheels] would go in any one of the four directions the creatures faced,” but other versions believe that their four directions refers simply to the four common directions of north, south, east, and west (so Good News Translation, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). The interpretation of New International Version seems more likely.

Like the creatures in verses 9 and 12, the wheels were able to go in any direction without turning as they went. This was because there was one wheel on each side of the group, and so one wheel was always facing in whatever direction the group went. The impression should not be given that the wheels were stationary, locked in position, and unable to roll along. Rather, this clause means that they did not turn to the right or the left, like the front wheels of a car or truck as it turns a corner. To make this explicit, some translators will say “without turning to change direction.”

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .