Early wheels were solid wooden discs. These were replaced around 1500 B.C. by lighter, spoked wheels. The most common use of wheels is on chariots and carts; they were also used by potters and in machinery for drawing water from a well. The chariot throne of God has wheels which are vividly described.
Chariot wheels
Exodus 14:25; Nahum 3:2 The sound of chariot wheels announces the approach of the enemy. See also 2 Kings 7:6; Isaiah 5:28; Jeremiah 47:3; Joel 2:5; Revelation 9:9
He caused their chariot wheels to wobble, so that they had difficulty driving. “Let us flee from the Israelites,” said the Egyptians, “for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt!”
The crack of the whip, the rumble of the wheel, galloping horse and bounding chariot!
Wagon wheels
The Hebrew word for wheel'' is here used forwagon'': Ezekiel 23:24, Ezekiel 26:10
Threshing wheels
Proverbs 20:26 Threshing was carried out by driving a sledge or a cart with heavy wheels over the grain. See also Isaiah 28:27–28
A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.
Other examples of wheels
1 Kings 7:32–33 The stands for basins in Solomon's temple were mounted on wheels. See also 1 Kings 7:30; Ecclesiastes 12:6 A wheel formed part of the machinery for drawing water from a well; Jeremiah 18:3 Potters turned their clay on a wheel.
There were four wheels under the panels, and the axles of the wheels were attached to the stand; each wheel was a cubit and a half in diameter. The wheels were made like chariot wheels; their axles, rims, spokes, and hubs were all of cast metal.
The wheels of God's chariot throne
Ezekiel 11:22–23; Daniel 7:9 See also 2 Kings 2:11; Isaiah 66:15; Ezekiel 1:15–21, Ezekiel 3:12–13, Ezekiel 10:1–19
Then the cherubim, with the wheels beside them, spread their wings, and the glory of the God of Israel was above them. And the glory of the LORD rose up from within the city and stood over the mountain east of the city.
As I continued to watch, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.