BOOK 26 OF 66 · MAJOR PROPHETS · KING JAMES BIBLE

Ezekiel 10

Ezekiel book home•Chapter 10 of 48•22 verses

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Ezekiel 10 Overview

The throne-chariot vision from chapter 1 reappears inside the temple judgment scene. Fire is taken from among the cherubim, Ezekiel explicitly identifies the living creatures as cherubim, and the glory of the LORD moves from the temple threshold to stand over the cherubim as departure progresses.

EzekielBook

10Chapter

22Verses

Major ProphetsDivision

Before you read Ezekiel 10

Coming from

Ezekiel sees heavenly executioners summoned against Jerusalem and a linen-clothed figure marking those who sigh and cry over the city’s abominations. Judgment begins at the sanctuary, while Ezekiel intercedes in anguish and the LORD explains that the land is full of bloodshed and perverseness.

In this chapter

Leads into

Ezekiel sees twenty-five leaders giving wicked counsel in Jerusalem, receives an oracle against them, and witnesses Pelatiah’s death. Yet the LORD promises to be a sanctuary to the scattered exiles, gather them again, give them one heart and a new spirit, while the glory leaves the city and stands on the mountain east of Jerusalem.

Key understandingExplore deeper

Chapter 10 links the opening vision directly to the temple crisis: the living creatures are now identified as cherubim, and the same mobile divine glory that appeared in Babylon is seen leaving the defiled sanctuary.

The glory does not disappear in a single unexplained instant. Its staged movement from the inner temple area toward departure emphasizes both the seriousness of God’s withdrawal and the fact that His presence is not trapped within the building.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

God’s glory cannot be possessed by a corrupt institution

The temple loses the presence that made it glorious when covenant rebellion fills it.

The LORD remains sovereign while His earthly sanctuary is judged

The throne-chariot imagery shows divine kingship and mobility rather than defeat.

Judgment follows the exposure of persistent abomination

The glory’s departure comes after chapters 8–9 reveal what has filled the temple and city.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Ezekiel 1

The wheels, living creatures, eyes, and throne imagery deliberately recall the inaugural vision.

1 Samuel 4

Earlier in Israel’s history the ark’s capture produced the cry “The glory is departed,” showing that sacred objects do not guarantee divine favor amid rebellion.

Ezekiel 43

Near the end of the book the glory returns from the east to the visionary temple, reversing the departure seen here.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Do not say God ceases to be present everywhere when His glory leaves the temple.

The vision concerns His manifested covenant presence at the sanctuary, not a denial of divine omnipresence.

Do not separate the cherubim and wheels from the book’s theological message.

Their strange appearance serves the larger point that the enthroned LORD moves freely and rules beyond Jerusalem.

Read Ezekiel 10 watching for…

the man in linen receiving coals

the identification of the living creatures as cherubim

the eyes and wheels recalled from chapter 1

the glory at the temple threshold

the cherubim carrying the glory toward departure

Chapter outline3 sections

1-7Coals from among the cherubim are taken to scatter over Jerusalem 8-17The cherubim and their wheels are described as moving together by the Spirit 18-22The glory of the LORD moves from the temple threshold and stands over the cherubim

Then 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.

And 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.

Now the cherubims stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court.

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.

And the sound of the cherubims' wings was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of the Almighty God when he speaketh.

And 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.

And 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.

And there appeared in the cherubims the form of a man's hand under their wings.

And 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.

And as for their appearances, they four had one likeness, as if a wheel had been in the midst of a wheel.

When 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.

And 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.

As for the wheels, it was cried unto them in my hearing, O wheel.

And 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.

And the cherubims were lifted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar.

And 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.

When 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.

Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims.

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.

This 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.

Every one had four faces apiece, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings.

And 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.

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Ezekiel 10:12

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