Major Prophets · Chapter 10 of 48

Ezekiel 10

Ezekiel beholds the cherubim and the wheels within wheels beneath a sapphire throne. The linen-clad man takes coals of fire from among the cherubim to scatter over the city. Then the glory of the Lord rises from the threshold, moves to the cherubim, and pauses at the east gate. Step by step, the presence of God departs from the temple that had been defiled.

What happens in Ezekiel 10

Ezekiel looks and sees above the cherubim a sapphire likeness of a throne. God tells the man in linen to go among the whirling wheels and fill his hands with coals of fire from between the cherubim to scatter over the city. As the man goes in, the cloud fills the inner court, and the glory of the Lord rises from the cherub to the threshold, the house filled with cloud and the court with the brightness of His glory.

The sound of the cherubim's wings is heard like the voice of Almighty God. A cherub hands the fire to the linen-clad man, who takes it and goes out. Ezekiel describes the four wheels of beryl, full of eyes, each cherub with four faces. Then the glory of the Lord departs from the threshold, stands over the cherubim, who lift their wings and mount up, pausing at the east gate.

Ezekiel 10 in context

Continuing the temple vision, this chapter reprises the living creatures and wheels of Ezekiel's opening throne-chariot vision by the river Chebar. The unfolding drama is the departure of the glory from the temple, moving in stages from the holy place to the threshold, to the cherubim, to the east gate, before leaving entirely in chapter 11.

The coals of fire scattered over the city signal the coming destruction of Jerusalem.

Main themes of Ezekiel 10

Ezekiel 10 (KJV)

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.

Verses to carry from Ezekiel 10

“Then 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.”Ezekiel 10:4

“Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims.”Ezekiel 10:18

“And 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.”Ezekiel 10:19

Reflection

The glory of God will not remain where He is dishonored, yet He never abandons His people entirely. Consider what in your life might grieve His presence away. Then take heart that His throne moves; He meets exiles far from home. The glory that departed a defiled temple returned in Christ to dwell in willing hearts.

A prayer from Ezekiel 10