Ezekiel10
New Living Translation
1In my vision I saw what appeared to be a throne of blue lapis lazuli above the crystal surface over the heads of the cherubim.
2Then the Lord spoke to the man in linen clothing and said, “Go between the whirling wheels beneath the cherubim, and take a handful of burning coals and scatter them over the city.” He did this as I watched.
3The cherubim were standing at the south end of the Temple when the man went in, and the cloud of glory filled the inner courtyard.
4Then the glory of the Lord rose up from above the cherubim and went over to the entrance of the Temple. The Temple was filled with this cloud of glory, and the courtyard glowed brightly with the glory of the Lord.
5The moving wings of the cherubim sounded like the voice of God Almighty and could be heard even in the outer courtyard.
6The Lord said to the man in linen clothing, “Go between the cherubim and take some burning coals from between the wheels.” So the man went in and stood beside one of the wheels.
7Then one of the cherubim reached out his hand and took some live coals from the fire burning among them. He put the coals into the hands of the man in linen clothing, and the man took them and went out.
8(All the cherubim had what looked like human hands under their wings.)
9I looked, and each of the four cherubim had a wheel beside him, and the wheels sparkled like beryl.
10All four wheels looked alike and were made the same; each wheel had a second wheel turning crosswise within it.
11The cherubim could move in any of the four directions they faced, without turning as they moved. They went straight in the direction they faced, never turning aside.
12Both the cherubim and the wheels were covered with eyes. The cherubim had eyes all over their bodies, including their hands, their backs, and their wings.
13I heard someone refer to the wheels as “the whirling wheels.”
14Each of the four cherubim had four faces: the first was the face of an ox, the second was a human face, the third was the face of a lion, and the fourth was the face of an eagle.
15Then the cherubim rose upward. These were the same living beings I had seen beside the Kebar River.
16When the cherubim moved, the wheels moved with them. When they lifted their wings to fly, the wheels stayed beside them.
17When the cherubim stopped, the wheels stopped. When they flew upward, the wheels rose up, for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels.
18Then the glory of the Lord moved out from the entrance of the Temple and hovered above the cherubim.
19And as I watched, the cherubim flew with their wheels to the east gate of the Lord’s Temple. And the glory of the God of Israel hovered above them.
20These were the same living beings I had seen beneath the God of Israel when I was by the Kebar River. I knew they were cherubim,
21for each had four faces and four wings and what looked like human hands under their wings.
22And their faces were just like the faces of the beings I had seen at the Kebar, and they traveled straight ahead, just as the others had.
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