Ezekiel 10

1 Then I looked, and see, in the expanse that was over the head of the Keruvim there appeared above them as it were a sappir stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.

2 He spoke to the man clothed in linen, and said, Go in between the whirling [wheels], even under the Keruv, and fill both your hands with coals of fire from between the Keruvim, and scatter them over the city. He went in as I watched.

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

4 The glory of the LORD mounted up from the Keruv, [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.

5 The sound of the wings of the Keruvim was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of El Shaddai when he speaks.

6 It came to pass, when he commanded the man clothed in linen, saying, Take fire from between the whirling wheels, from between the Keruvim, that he went in, and stood beside a wheel.

7 The Keruv stretched forth his hand from between the Keruvim to the fire that was between the Keruvim, and took [of it], and put it into the hands of him who was clothed in linen, who took it and went out.

8 There appeared in the Keruvim the form of a man's hand under their wings.

9 I looked, and behold, four wheels beside the Keruvim, one wheel beside one Keruv, and another wheel beside another Keruv; and the appearance of the wheels was like a bareket stone.

10 As for their appearance, they four had one likeness, as if a wheel have been within a wheel.

11 When 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.

12 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.

13 As for the wheels, they were called in my hearing, the whirling [wheels].

14 Every one had four faces: the first face was the face of the Keruv, and the second face was the face of a man, and the third face the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.

15 The Keruvim mounted up: this is the living creature that I saw by the river Kevar.

16 When the Keruvim went, the wheels went beside them; and when the Keruvim lifted up their wings to mount up from the eretz, the wheels also didn't turn from beside them.

17 When they stood, these stood; and when they mounted up, these mounted up with them: for the spirit of the living creature was in them.

18 The glory of the LORD went forth from over the threshold of the house, and stood over the Keruvim.

19 The Keruvim lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the eretz in my sight when they went forth, and the wheels beside them: and they stood at the door of the east gate of the LORD's house; and the glory of the God of Yisra'el was over them above.

20 This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Yisra'el by the river Kevar; and I knew that they were Keruvim.

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

22 As for the likeness of their faces, they were the faces which I saw by the river Kevar, their appearances and themselves; they went every one straight forward.

Ezekiel 10 Commentary

Chapter 10

A vision of the burning of the city. (1-7) The Divine glory departing from the temple. (8-22)

Verses 1-7 The fire being taken from between the wheels, under the cherubim, ch. 1:13 , 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.

Verses 8-22 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.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 10

In this chapter is a vision, very much like that in the first chapter, with some difference, and with a different view, the design of it being to represent the wrath of God against Jerusalem, and his departure from the city and temple. A throne much like that in Eze 1:26 is described, Eze 10:1; orders are given from it to scatter coals over the city, Eze 10:2; the situation of the cherubim when these orders were given, Eze 10:3; the removal of the glory of the Lord from the cherub to the threshold of the house, and the consequences of it; the house filled with smoke; the court with the brightness of the Lord's glory; and the sound of the cherubim's wings heard to the outer court, as the voice of God, Eze 10:4,5; the orders of taking and scattering fire over the city executed, and the manner in which they were, Eze 10:6,7; a description of the cherubim and the wheels, much like that in the first chapter, Eze 10:8-17; the departure of the glory of God from the threshold to the east gate of the Lord's house, with the motion of the cherubim and wheels along with him, Eze 10:18,19; and the chapter is concluded with observing, that the cherubim are the same with the living creatures seen in the vision of the first chapter, and had the same form, likeness, and motion, Eze 10:20-22.