The imagery is rooted in the visions of Ezekiel, as Carl notes. The
number four (as a concept) is often associated with the whole earth. It
encompasses the idea of the entire world as a whole (cf the expression:
the "four corners of the earth", or "the four winds of the earth"). It
also is used to highlight the entirety of something in general, such as
the four corners of a house. The fact that there are four ZWA -
"lifeforms" - is perhaps telling of God as creator of all life, and
creator of the whole earth and everything on it. Similar imagery which
uses the concept of Four as symbolic of the entirety are found in:
Gen 2:10
Job 1:19
Isa 11:12
Jer 15:3; 49:36
Eze 1 & 10; 7:2; 14:21; 37:9
Dan 7:2; 11:4
Zec 1:18-20; 2:6; 6:1-5
Mat 24:31
Mar 13:27
Act 1:11
and all throughout Revelation.
Best regards!
George Athas
PhD (Cand.), University of Sydney
Tutor of Hebrew, Moore Theological College
Phone: 0414 839 964 ICQ#: 5866591
Email: gathas@mail.usyd.edu.au
____________________________________________________
Visit the Tel Dan Inscription Website at
http://www-personal.usyd.edu.au/~gathas/teldan.htm