Ezekiel 10NIV
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Ezekiel10

New International Version

1I looked, and I saw the likeness of a throne of lapis lazuli above the vault that was over the heads of the cherubim.

2The Lord said to the man clothed in linen, “Go in among the wheels beneath the cherubim. Fill your hands with burning coals from among the cherubim and scatter them over the city.” And as I watched, he went in.

3Now the cherubim were standing on the south side of the temple when the man went in, and a cloud filled the inner court.

4Then the glory of the Lord rose from above the cherubim and moved to the threshold of the temple. The cloud filled the temple, and the court was full of the radiance of the glory of the Lord.

5The sound of the wings of the cherubim could be heard as far away as the outer court, like the voice of God Almighty when he speaks.

6When the Lord commanded the man in linen, “Take fire from among the wheels, from among the cherubim,” the man went in and stood beside a wheel.

7Then one of the cherubim reached out his hand to the fire that was among them. He took up some of it and put it into the hands of the man in linen, who took it and went out.

8(Under the wings of the cherubim could be seen what looked like human hands.)

9I looked, and I saw beside the cherubim four wheels, one beside each of the cherubim; the wheels sparkled like topaz.

10As for their appearance, the four of them looked alike; each was like a wheel intersecting a wheel.

11As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the cherubim faced; the wheels did not turn about as the cherubim went. The cherubim went in whatever direction the head faced, without turning as they went.

12Their entire bodies, including their backs, their hands and their wings, were completely full of eyes, as were their four wheels.

13I heard the wheels being called “the whirling wheels.”

14Each of the cherubim had four faces: One face was that of a cherub, the second the face of a human being, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.

15Then the cherubim rose upward. These were the living creatures I had seen by the Kebar River.

16When the cherubim moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the cherubim spread their wings to rise from the ground, the wheels did not leave their side.

17When the cherubim stood still, they also stood still; and when the cherubim rose, they rose with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in them.

18Then the glory of the Lord departed from over the threshold of the temple and stopped above the cherubim.

19While I watched, the cherubim spread their wings and rose from the ground, and as they went, the wheels went with them. They stopped at the entrance of the east gate of the Lord’s house, and the glory of the God of Israel was above them.

20These were the living creatures I had seen beneath the God of Israel by the Kebar River, and I realized that they were cherubim.

21Each had four faces and four wings, and under their wings was what looked like human hands.

22Their faces had the same appearance as those I had seen by the Kebar River. Each one went straight ahead.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Ezekiel 10.

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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.

Cross References

Ezekiel 10
v1Ezekiel 1:22-26thematic

Direct parallel to the firmament, sapphire stone, and throne vision over the heads of the creatures.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v2Ezekiel 9:2thematic

Identifies the man clothed in linen who was first marked for mercy, now executing judgment.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v4Ezekiel 10:18thematic

Traces the progressive departure of God's glory from the temple threshold to the cherubim.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB

v9Ezekiel 1:15-20thematic

The primary description of the four wheels and their appearance, repeated here for confirmation.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v19Ezekiel 11:23thematic

The final stage of the glory of the Lord departing from the city to the mountain.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB

v4Ezekiel 1:28thematic

Parallels the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v5Ezekiel 1:24thematic

Parallels the sound of the wings of the cherubim as the voice of the Almighty.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v11Ezekiel 1:12thematic

Reiterates that they went straight forward and turned not as they went.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v12Revelation 4:8allusion

John's vision of the four beasts full of eyes round about and within.

Supported by JFB

v14Ezekiel 1:10thematic

Compares the four faces of the living creatures, here specifying the first as a cherub.

Supported by John Calvin, JFB

v20Ezekiel 10:15thematic

Explicitly identifies the living creatures seen at the river Chebar as cherubims.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v2Isaiah 6:6thematic

Contrast of a seraph taking a coal from the altar for purgation, not destruction.

Supported by JFB

v2Revelation 8:5allusion

An angel takes fire from the altar and casts it to the earth, signifying judgment.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v5Psalms 29:3-9thematic

Poetic parallel describing the powerful, thunderous voice of the Lord.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v12Ezekiel 1:18thematic

Connects the eyes round about the wheels in chapter 1 with those in chapter 10.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v1Psalms 18:10thematic

The Lord riding upon a cherub, showing his sovereign majesty over them.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v1Exodus 24:10thematic

The elders saw God's throne standing as it were upon a paved work of sapphire stone.

Supported by John Calvin

v4Ezekiel 9:3thematic

Earlier mention of the glory of the God of Israel going up from the cherub.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v41 Kings 8:10-12thematic

The cloud filling the temple of the Lord, showing His solemn presence.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v18Matthew 23:37-39thematic

Jesus pronouncing the desolation of the temple, signaling the departure of God's presence.

Supported by Matthew Henry