Ezekiel 10:15

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

And the cherubims {H3742} were lifted up {H7426}. This is the living creature {H2416} that I saw {H7200} by the river {H5104} of Chebar {H3529}.

Then the k'ruvim rose. These were the living creatures I had seen by the K'var River.

Then the cherubim rose upward. These were the living creatures I had seen by the River Kebar.

And the cherubim mounted up: this is the living creature that I saw by the river Chebar.

Context

Ezekiel 10 continues the prophet's profound vision of God's glory departing from the Jerusalem Temple, a somber precursor to the city's impending destruction by Babylon. This chapter details the movements of the glory of the God of Israel, accompanied by the cherubim and the wheels. Verse 15 serves as Ezekiel's emphatic confirmation, linking the present, awe-inspiring beings to his foundational prophetic experience.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Continuity of Divine Revelation: Ezekiel's declaration, "This [is] the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar," explicitly connects this vision in the Temple to his initial, life-changing encounter described in Ezekiel 1. This continuity assures the prophet, and his audience, that the divine message is consistent and the source of his visions is indeed the Lord. It validates his prophetic call and the severity of the judgment being unfolded.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Mobility: The cherubim being "lifted up" signifies their movement, which is intrinsically linked to the movement of God's glory. This imagery underscores God's absolute sovereignty and His ability to move freely, even departing from His chosen dwelling place due to the people's sin. The departure of God's glory from the Temple is a central theme in Ezekiel, culminating in Ezekiel 11:23.
  • Identity of the Cherubim: This verse clarifies that the "living creatures" (Hebrew: chayot) introduced in Ezekiel 1 are indeed the angelic beings known as cherubim (Hebrew: keruvim). This identification is crucial for understanding the nature of the divine chariot-throne vision.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV translates the Hebrew word keruvim as "cherubims." The term "living creature" comes from the Hebrew chayot, which Ezekiel uses to describe these beings in his first vision. The confirmation in this verse establishes that the four-faced, winged beings with human hands under their wings, described in Ezekiel 1:5-20, are indeed the cherubim, celestial guardians often associated with God's presence and holiness, as seen guarding the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24).

Practical Application

Ezekiel's precise identification of the cherubim with the living creatures highlights the consistency of God's revelation. For believers today, this can be a comfort: God's character and His messages are unchanging, even when circumstances around us are chaotic or difficult. Just as God was consistent with Ezekiel, He remains consistent in His word and His promises. The departure of His glory from the Temple serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness of sin and the consequences of disobedience, yet it also foreshadows God's ability to be present with His people even in exile, demonstrating His steadfast love and ultimate plan for restoration.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezekiel 1:5

    Also out of the midst thereof [came] the likeness of four living creatures. And this [was] their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.

  • Hosea 9:12

    Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, [that there shall] not [be] a man [left]: yea, woe also to them when I depart from them!

  • Ezekiel 43:3

    And [it was] according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, [even] according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions [were] like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face.

  • Ezekiel 8:6

    He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? [even] the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, [and] thou shalt see greater abominations.

  • Ezekiel 11:22

    ¶ Then did the cherubims lift up their wings, and the wheels beside them; and the glory of the God of Israel [was] over them above.

  • Ezekiel 10:18

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

  • 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.

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