1. Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, while I was among those of the Golus by the Nahar Kevar, that Shomayim was opened, and I saw mar'ot Elohim.
2. In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of the Golus of HaMelech Yoyakhin [593 B.C.E.],
3. The Devar Hashem came expressly unto Yechezkel the kohen, ben Buzi, in Eretz Kasdim (Chaldeans) by the Nahar Kevar; and the Yad Hashem was there upon him.
4. And I looked, and, hinei, a ruach se'arah came out of the tzafon, an anan gadol, and flashing fire, with brilliant light all about it, and out of the midst thereof something gleaming, shining out of the midst of the eish.
5. Also out of the midst thereof came the demut (likeness) of four Chayos. And this was their appearance: they had the demut adam.