dome

The Hebrew that is translated as “dome” or similar in English is translated in Maan as “round roof,” since there is no existing word for that concept. (Source: Don Slager)

complete verse (Ezekiel 1:23)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Ezekiel 1:23:

  • Kupsabiny: “Two wings of each animal were spread out extending themselves to touch the wing of another. But the other two wings covered the body of those animals.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Beneath these, the two wings of each living creatures were-spreading-out, and their wings were-touching-each-other. Their still another two wings are-covering their bodies.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Under the dome, the creatures stretched out their wings. Each one had two wings; each wing stretched towards the creature thatwas next to it, and two wings that were against the creature’s body.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Ezekiel 1:23

Although this verse does not include every detail, it repeats what Ezekiel described in verses 9 and 11, namely, that each creature had four wings, and with two of them it was touching the wing tips of the creatures next to it, and with the other two wings each creature was covering its own body.

And under the firmament their wings were stretched out straight, one toward another: Since the platform was above the creatures, they were under the firmament (see the comments on the previous verse). Each creature had two of their wings stretched out straight, one toward another, not straight up, but stretching out toward the ones next to it (see the comments on verses 9 and 11). These phrases could also mean that the upper edge of their wings was in a straight line. Only their wing tips were touching.

And each creature had two wings covering its body renders a repetitive expression in Hebrew which stresses that each of the four creatures were doing this. Each creature used its second pair of wings to cover its body (see the comments on verse 11). Contemporary English Version says “with the other two wings folded against its body.”

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 .