Ezekiel10
King James Version · Public Domain
1Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.
2And he spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, even under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city. And he went in in my sight.
3Now the cherubims stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court.
4Then the glory of the Lord went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the Lord's glory.
5And the sound of the cherubims' wings was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of the Almighty God when he speaketh.
6And it came to pass, that when he had commanded the man clothed with linen, saying, Take fire from between the wheels, from between the cherubims; then he went in, and stood beside the wheels.
7And one cherub stretched forth his hand from between the cherubims unto the fire that was between the cherubims, and took thereof, and put it into the hands of him that was clothed with linen: who took it, and went out.
8And there appeared in the cherubims the form of a man's hand under their wings.
9And when I looked, behold the four wheels by the cherubims, one wheel by one cherub, and another wheel by another cherub: and the appearance of the wheels was as the colour of a beryl stone.
10And as for their appearances, they four had one likeness, as if a wheel had been in the midst of a wheel.
11When they went, they went upon their four sides; they turned not as they went, but to the place whither the head looked they followed it; they turned not as they went.
12And their whole body, and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes round about, even the wheels that they four had.
13As for the wheels, it was cried unto them in my hearing, O wheel.
14And every one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, and the second face was the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.
15And the cherubims were lifted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar.
16And when the cherubims went, the wheels went by them: and when the cherubims lifted up their wings to mount up from the earth, the same wheels also turned not from beside them.
17When they stood, these stood; and when they were lifted up, these lifted up themselves also: for the spirit of the living creature was in them.
18Then the glory of the Lord departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims.
19And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also were beside them, and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the Lord's house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.
20This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; and I knew that they were the cherubims.
21Every one had four faces apiece, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings.
22And the likeness of their faces was the same faces which I saw by the river of Chebar, their appearances and themselves: they went every one straight forward.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Ezekiel 10.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: A vision of the burning of the city. (1-7). The Divine glory departing from the temple. (8-22).
vv1-7
The fire being taken from between the wheels, under the cherubim, 13, seems to have signified the wrath of God to be executed upon Jerusalem. It intimated that the fire of Divine wrath, which kindles judgment upon a people, is just and holy; and in the great day, the earth, and all the works that are therein, will be burnt up.
vv8-22
Ezekiel sees the working of Divine providence in the government of the lower world, and the affairs of it. When God is leaving a people in displeasure, angels above, and all events below, further his departure. The Spirit of life, the Spirit of God, directs all creatures, in heaven and on earth, so as to make them serve the Divine purpose. God removes by degrees from a provoking people; and, when ready to depart, would return to them, if they were a repenting, praying people. Let this warn sinners to seek the Lord while he may be found, and to call on him while he is near, and cause us all to walk humbly and watchfully with our God.
Key Words
רָאָה: to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
הִנֵּה: lo!
רָקִיעַ: properly, an expanse, i.e. the firmament or (apparently) visible arch of the sky
אֲשֶׁר: who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.
עַל: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רֹאשׁ: the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
כְּרוּב: a cherub or imaginary figure
מַרְאֶה: a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks), or (mental) a vision
דְּמוּת: resemblance; concretely, model, shape; adverbially, like
כִּסֵּא: properly, covered, i.e. a throne (as canopied)
Cross References
Ezekiel 10Direct parallel to the firmament, sapphire stone, and throne vision over the heads of the creatures.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Identifies the man clothed in linen who was first marked for mercy, now executing judgment.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Traces the progressive departure of God's glory from the temple threshold to the cherubim.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
The primary description of the four wheels and their appearance, repeated here for confirmation.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
The final stage of the glory of the Lord departing from the city to the mountain.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels the sound of the wings of the cherubim as the voice of the Almighty.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Reiterates that they went straight forward and turned not as they went.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
John's vision of the four beasts full of eyes round about and within.
Supported by JFB
Compares the four faces of the living creatures, here specifying the first as a cherub.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Explicitly identifies the living creatures seen at the river Chebar as cherubims.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Contrast of a seraph taking a coal from the altar for purgation, not destruction.
Supported by JFB
An angel takes fire from the altar and casts it to the earth, signifying judgment.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Poetic parallel describing the powerful, thunderous voice of the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Connects the eyes round about the wheels in chapter 1 with those in chapter 10.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The Lord riding upon a cherub, showing his sovereign majesty over them.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The elders saw God's throne standing as it were upon a paved work of sapphire stone.
Supported by John Calvin
Earlier mention of the glory of the God of Israel going up from the cherub.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The cloud filling the temple of the Lord, showing His solemn presence.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Jesus pronouncing the desolation of the temple, signaling the departure of God's presence.
Supported by Matthew Henry