Ezekiel - Chapter 10

Ezekiel 10.1 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. Ezekiel 10.2 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. Ezekiel 10.3 Now the cherubims stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court. Ezekiel 10.4 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 10.5 And the sound of the cherubims’ wings was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of the Almighty God when he speaketh. Ezekiel 10.6 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. Ezekiel 10.7 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. Ezekiel 10.8 And there appeared in the cherubims the form of a man’s hand under their wings. Ezekiel 10.9 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. Ezekiel 10.10 And as for their appearances, they four had one likeness, as if a wheel had been in the midst of a wheel. Ezekiel 10.11 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. Ezekiel 10.12 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. Ezekiel 10.13 As for the wheels, it was cried unto them in my hearing, O wheel. Ezekiel 10.14 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. Ezekiel 10.15 And the cherubims were lifted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar. Ezekiel 10.16 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. Ezekiel 10.17 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. Ezekiel 10.18 Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims. Ezekiel 10.19 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 10.20 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. Ezekiel 10.21 Every one had four faces apiece, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings. Ezekiel 10.22 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.

Ezekiel : Chapter 10

The Glory of God in Ezekiel Chapter 10

The book of Ezekiel, chapter 10, offers us a majestic vision of God's glory. How is the divine presence manifested in the temple? This moving text describes the cherubim, the wheels, and the glory of the Lord emerging from the temple. Through this powerful scene, the chapter underscores the themes of divine judgment and God's holiness, illustrating His reluctant departure from Jerusalem.

This vision continues with that of chapter 1, highlighting the consistency of divine revelation. We invite you to meditate on five biblical passages that resonate with the symbols and theology of this profound chapter.

Revelation 4:6-8

"Before the throne was something like a sea of ​​glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes, in front and behind. The first living creature was like a lion, the second like an ox, the third had a face like a man, and the fourth was like a soaring eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was full of eyes around and under its wings. Day and night they kept saying: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.'" This vision from Revelation bears striking similarities to that of the cherubim in Ezekiel 10, showing a continuity in the celestial imagery.

1 Kings 8:10-11

"And when the priests had left the holy place, a cloud filled the temple of the Lord, and the priests could not minister, for the glory of the Lord had filled his temple." This description of God's glory filling the temple at Solomon's dedication contrasts powerfully with the departure of the glory in Ezekiel 10.

Exodus 40:34-35

"Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the tent of meeting, because the cloud was above it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle." As in Ezekiel 10, this passage describes God's visible presence, although in Ezekiel, the glory departs instead of arriving.

Psalms 18:10

"He rode on a cherub and flew; he glided on the wings of the wind." This psalm uses imagery similar to that of Ezekiel 10, associating the cherubim with the presence and movement of God.

Isaiah 6:1-4

"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and exalted, and his train filled the temple. Above him were seraphim; each of them had six wings: with two they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. And they proclaimed to one another, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory." At the sound of their voices, the doorframes shook, and the temple filled with smoke. Isaiah's vision of God's throne and the heavenly beings has parallels with Ezekiel's vision in Ezekiel 10. Through these passages, we are invited to contemplate the majesty and holiness of God, as well as the depth of His presence among us. May this reflection nourish our faith and worship.