Erich von Däniken is one of the biggest proponents of this theory, providing a very compelling argument for an alternative interpretation of the Book of Ezekiel. So, compelling that his theory even reversed the entire thesis of a NASA scientist’s book aimed at disproving his claim.

Erich von Däniken’s Chariots of the Gods

In the 1970s, Erich von Däniken was invited to a secret speech at NASA where he met Josef F. Blumrich. The two spoke about von Däniken’s ancient astronaut theory from his book, Chariots of the Gods, notably the idea that Ezekiel’s vision was that of a space shuttle, rather than a divine chariot. This conversation led Blumrich on a mission to disprove von Däniken’s seemingly absurd theory, so he did some research of his own and started writing a book. However, the evidence was overwhelming and Blumrich had an epiphany. Ezekiel was undoubtedly describing an advanced spacecraft. Blumrich even used Ezekiel’s description of the craft to patent his own version of an omnidirectional wheel.

The Ancient Astronaut Theory

Ezekiel is a key figure in Judaism and is also prominent in other Abrahamic biblical texts. Ezekiel was brought to Babylon in the first captivity of Israel and is described as a prophet. One of the interesting characteristics of The Book of Ezekiel as a biblical text is that it is written using the pronoun, I, clearly showing it being written by Ezekiel himself as a first-person account, unlike many biblical texts written in the third person. This seems to lend a little more credit and personality to the story as it is told shortly after its occurrence.

Ezekiel describes seeing a wheeled chariot descend toward him from the sky, piloted by beings with the "likeness of a man." While many biblical versions of the story describe this being on the chariot as God, von Däniken points out that the original Hebrew version never mentions God, this word was added later.

Ezekiel’s description of the wheeled chariot landing sounds much like that of the landing of a spacecraft. The windstorm, flash of lightning, and brilliant lights are reminiscent of a spacecraft coming down for a landing and kicking up dirt in a spectacle never before seen by someone of such a primitive era. Ezekiel even describes the fire powering the chariot as appearing as ‘glowing metal.’

"4I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north—an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal, 5 and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was human, 6 but each of them had four faces and four wings. 7 Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze. 8 Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. All four of them had faces and wings, 9 and the wings of one touched the wings of another. Each one went straight ahead; they did not turn as they moved." – Ezekiel 1

There is clearly some discrepancy between this description and much of the way Ezekiel’s vision is portrayed in biblical artwork. Pictures often leave out the details involving the fire, omnidirectional wheels, and the vaulted crystal encasing over the heads of the human-like creatures.

"15 As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature with its four faces. 16 This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: They sparkled like topaz, and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel. 17 As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the creatures faced; the wheels did not change direction as the creatures went. 18 Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around… 22 Spread out above the heads of the living creatures was what looked something like a vault, sparkling like crystal, and awesome." – Ezekiel 1

These creatures with the ‘likeness of man,’ then take Ezekiel with them in their craft, bringing him to a ‘temple’ on top of the highest mountain. During his flight there, Ezekiel mentions feeling the hand of God on him, which could be interpreted as the force of gravity, or g-forces, felt when lifting off. He is taken to these beings’ ‘temple,’ which is likely a staging area or city where they reside.

Corroborating Evidence

Throughout an array of biblical stories, the Ark of the Covenant presents itself as an artifact of interest for von Däniken’s theory. But it’s mention in the Kebra Nagast, an account of Christianity in Ethiopia under King Solomon, is where he sees the most relevancy. In this account, he says that it was known that King Solomon had flying machines that weren’t mentioned in the Bible as well as possession of the highly coveted Ark. These texts note that people were afraid of the Ark, as it often killed those who were in close contact with it. Was this because it was radioactive or electrically charged? Was the Ark of the Covenant a plutonium reactor?

Erich Von Däniken says he believes there are other bible verses that fit into his ancient astronaut theory, including some that hint at similar ‘temples’ or landing areas for spacecraft, much like the one Ezekiel was brought to. One such temple known as, Chavin de Huantar can be found in Peru, sitting thousands of feet high on a mountain from a culture of which little is known. The temple is decorated with winged figures and sculpted heads that appear to be wearing helmets. Von Däniken says he believes these to be of similar origin to those described by Ezekiel in the Bible. Is this actual evidence of ancient astronauts or an imaginative theory?