As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings [were] full of eyes round about them four.
Ver. 18. As for their rings they were so high.] Apsides earum tam amplae seu altae ut propterea formidabiles. The rings or strokes, Heb., backs, of these wheels were so broad and high that they struck terror into the beholders. It is hard to take the altitude of second causes. Well might one write a book of the vanity of sciences, and another a tractate Quod nihil scitur. I would see the proudest of you all define the nature of a straw, as one preached in Cambridge to all the scholars; so of a flower, of a fly, &c. Well might David say, "Thy judgments, Lord, are a great deep," Psa 36:6 such as hath neither bank nor bottom. Well might Paul cry out, "Oh the depth! how unsearchable are his ways." Rom 11:23
And the rings were full of eyes.] Instead of cart nails. Understand hereby God's all-seeing providence, which never erreth, but always ordereth the world's disorders to his own glory.
Round about them four.] The Divine providence is like a well drawn picture, which eyeth all that are in the room. See 2Ch 16:9 Psalms 34:15 Zec 4:10 Job 34:21; Job 36:7 Jeremiah 16:17; Jeremiah 32:17 .