Ezekiel's vision uniquely transforms the cherubim from Eden's guardians into agents of divine judgment, as burning coals—symbols of purification—become instruments of Jerusalem's destruction.
Ezekiel 10
The Coals of Fire from the Cherubim
1Then I looked, and see, in the expanse that was over the head of the cherubim there appeared above them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.
2He spoke to the man clothed in linen, and said, “Go in between the whirling wheels, even under the cherub, and fill both your hands with coals of fire from between the cherubim, and scatter them over the city.” He went in as I watched.
3Now the cherubim stood on the right side of the house when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court.
4The LORD’s glory mounted 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.
5The sound of the wings of the cherubim was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of God Almighty when he speaks.
6It came to pass, when he commanded the man clothed in linen, saying, “Take fire from between the whirling wheels, from between the cherubim,” that he went in and stood beside a wheel.
7The cherub stretched out his hand from between the cherubim to the fire that was between the cherubim, and took some of it, and put it into the hands of him who was clothed in linen, who took it and went out.
8The form of a man’s hand appeared here in the cherubim under their wings.
The Departure of God's Glory
9I looked, and behold, there were four wheels beside the cherubim, one wheel beside one cherub, and another wheel beside another cherub. The appearance of the wheels was like a beryl stone.
10As for their appearance, the four of them had one likeness, like a wheel within a wheel.
11When they went, they went in their four directions. They didn’t turn as they went, but to the place where the head looked they followed it. They didn’t turn as they went.
12Their whole body, including their backs, their hands, their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes all around, even the wheels that the four of them had.
13As for the wheels, they were called in my hearing, “the whirling wheels”.
14Every one of them had four faces. The first face was the face of the cherub. The second face was the face of a man. The third face was the face of a lion. The fourth was the face of an eagle.
15The cherubim mounted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river Chebar.
16When the cherubim went, the wheels went beside them; and when the cherubim lifted up their wings to mount up from the earth, the wheels also didn’t turn from beside them.
17When they stood, these stood. When they mounted up, these mounted up with them; for the spirit of the living creature was in them.
18The LORD’s glory went out from over the threshold of the house and stood over the cherubim.
19The cherubim lifted up their wings and mounted up from the earth in my sight when they went out, with the wheels beside them. Then they 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 Chebar; and I knew that they were cherubim.
21Every one had four faces, and every one four wings. The likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings.
22As for the likeness of their faces, they were the faces which I saw by the river Chebar, their appearances and themselves. They each went straight forward.
Font Size 17pt
Line Spacing
Theme
Ezekiel witnesses God's glory departing from the temple in Jerusalem through an elaborate vision involving cherubim, wheels, and divine fire. A figure clothed in linen is commanded to take burning coals from between the cherubim and scatter them over the city as an instrument of judgment. The chapter provides detailed descriptions of the cherubim and their accompanying wheels, emphasizing their supernatural mobility and the eyes covering their forms, before concluding with God's glory moving from the temple threshold to the east gate.
Context
This vision continues the temple judgment themes from chapter 8-9 and anticipates the complete departure of God's glory in chapter 11.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-2 The Sapphire Throne and Command Ezekiel sees a throne-like appearance above the cherubim and hears God command the linen-clothed figure to take burning coals.
- 3-8 The Coals of Fire Retrieved The man enters between the cherubim as God's glory fills the temple with cloud and brightness, and receives the burning coals.
- 9-17 Description of the Cherubim and Wheels Detailed account of the four-faced cherubim, their accompanying wheels covered with eyes, and their coordinated supernatural movement.
- 18-22 The Glory's Departure God's glory moves from the temple threshold to rest above the cherubim at the east gate, preparing to leave the temple entirely.
The Coals of Fire from the Cherubim
10:1–10:8 prophecy vision solemn
Ezekiel sees a man in linen taking burning coals from between the cherubim to scatter over the city. The vision emphasizes God's glory and power as divine judgment is prepared to fall upon Jerusalem.
person_contrast
Ezekiel's vision uniquely transforms the cherubim from Eden's guardians into agents of divine judgment, as burning coals—symbols of purification—become instruments of Jerusalem's destruction.
The Departure of God's Glory
10:9–10:22 prophecy vision solemn
Ezekiel describes the intricate details of the cherubim and wheels, culminating in God's glory departing from the temple threshold. This vision symbolizes God's withdrawal of His presence from the corrupted temple and city.
person_contrast
Ezekiel's meticulous description of the cherubim's synchronized movement—"when they went, they went in any of their four directions without turning"—mirrors the precise, unstoppable nature of divine judgment departing Jerusalem.
Insights
Ezekiel's meticulous description of the cherubim's synchronized movement—"when they went, they went in any of their four directions without turning"—mirrors the precise, unstoppable nature of divine judgment departing Jerusalem.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Ezekiel 10:1 1 reference
Ezekiel 10:2 5 references
Lexicals 5
Leviticus 16:12 Lexical
He shall take a censer full of coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and two handfuls of sweet incense beate…
Ezekiel 9:3 Lexical
The glory of the God of Israel went up from the cherub, whereupon it was, to the threshold of the house; and he called t…
Leviticus 16:32 Lexical
The priest, who is anointed and who is consecrated to be priest in his father’s place, shall make the atonement, and sha…
Ezekiel 1:13 Lexical
As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of tor…
Ezekiel 28:16 Lexical
By the abundance of your commerce, your insides were filled with violence, and you have sinned. Therefore I have cast yo…
Ezekiel 10:3 1 reference
Ezekiel 10:4 5 references
Lexicals 5
Ezekiel 9:3 Lexical
The glory of the God of Israel went up from the cherub, whereupon it was, to the threshold of the house; and he called t…
Ezekiel 1:28 Lexical
As the appearance of the rainbow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all ar…
Isaiah 4:5 Lexical
The LORD will create over the whole habitation of Mount Zion and over her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the…
2 Chronicles 5:13 Lexical
when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when t…
2 Chronicles 5:14 Lexical
so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud; for the LORD’s glory filled God’s house.
Ezekiel 10:5 1 reference
Ezekiel 10:6 2 references
Ezekiel 10:7 1 reference
Ezekiel 10:9 2 references
Ezekiel 10:10 2 references
Ezekiel 10:11 2 references
Ezekiel 10:12 3 references
Lexicals 3
Ezekiel 1:18 Lexical
As for their rims, they were high and dreadful; and the four of them had their rims full of eyes all around.
Ezekiel 39:17 Lexical
“You, son of man, the Lord GOD says: ‘Speak to the birds of every sort, and to every animal of the field, “Assemble your…
1 Kings 7:33 Lexical
The work of the wheels was like the work of a chariot wheel. Their axles, their rims, their spokes, and their hubs were…
Ezekiel 10:14 5 references
Lexicals 5
Ezekiel 1:10 Lexical
As for the likeness of their faces, they had the face of a man. The four of them had the face of a lion on the right sid…
1 Chronicles 26:2 Lexical
Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,
1 Chronicles 3:15 Lexical
The sons of Josiah: the firstborn Johanan, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, and the fourth Shallum.
1 Chronicles 26:4 Lexical
Obed-Edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth,
1 Chronicles 23:19 Lexical
The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the chief, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.
Ezekiel 10:16 1 reference
Ezekiel 10:18 1 reference
Ezekiel 10:19 5 references
Lexicals 5
Ezekiel 11:22 Lexical
Then the cherubim lifted up their wings, and the wheels were beside them. The glory of the God of Israel was over them a…
Ezekiel 3:13 Lexical
I heard the noise of the wings of the living creatures as they touched one another, and the noise of the wheels beside t…
Ezekiel 11:1 Lexical
Moreover the Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the east gate of the LORD’s house, which looks eastward. Behold, twen…
Exodus 25:20 Lexical
The cherubim shall spread out their wings upward, covering the mercy seat with their wings, with their faces toward one…
Exodus 37:9 Lexical
The cherubim spread out their wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, with their faces toward one another…
Ezekiel 10:22 1 reference
Interlinear
Word-by-word original language
v. 1
v. 2
v. 3
v. 4
v. 5
v. 6
v. 7
v. 8
v. 9
v. 10
v. 11
v. 12
v. 13
v. 14
v. 15
v. 16
v. 17
v. 18
v. 19
v. 20
v. 21
v. 22
Lemma
Morphology
Semantic Range
Theological Significance
Translation Notes
Key Passages
Historical Context
Places and events in this chapter
Loading map...