TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
Complete Jewish Bible
When the k'ruvim moved, the wheels went with them; and when the k'ruvim lifted their wings to rise off the ground, these wheels did not stop going with them.
Berean Standard Bible
When the cherubim moved, the wheels moved beside them, and even when they spread their wings to rise from the ground, the wheels did not veer away from their side.
American Standard Version
And when 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 turned not from beside them.
World English Bible Messianic
When 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.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And when ye Cherubims went, the wheeles went by them: and when the Cherubims lift vp their wings to mount vp from the earth, the same wheeles also turned not from beside them.
Young's Literal Translation
And in the going of the cherubs, the wheels go beside them; and in the cherubs lifting up their wings to be high above the earth, the wheels turn not round, even they, from being beside them.
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Commentary on Ezekiel 10 verses 8–22
8 ¶ And there appeared in the cherubims the form of a man's hand under their wings.
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.
10 And as for their appearances, they four had one likeness, as if a wheel had been in the midst of a wheel.
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.
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.
13 As for the wheels, it was cried unto them in my hearing, O wheel.
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.
15 And the cherubims were lifted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar.
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.
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.
18 Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We have here a further account of the vision of God's glory which Ezekiel saw, here intended to introduce that direful omen of the departure of that glory from them, which would open the door for ruin to break in.
I. Ezekiel sees the glory of God shining in the sanctuary, as he had seen it by the river of Chebar, and gives an account of it, that those who had by their wickedness provoked God to depart from them might know what they had lost and might lament after the Lord, groaning out their Ichabod, Where is the glory? Ezekiel here sees the operations of divine Providence in the government of the lower world, and the affairs of it, represented by the four wheels; and the perfections of the holy angels, the inhabitants of the upper world, and their ministrations, represented by the four living creatures, every one of which had four faces. The agency of the angels in directing the affairs of this world is represented by the close communication that was between the living creatures and the wheels, the wheels being guided by them in all their motions, as the chariot is by him that drives it. But the same Spirit being both in the living creatures and in the wheels denoted the infinite wisdom which serves its own purposes by the ministration of angels and all the occurrences of this lower world. So that this vision gives out faith a view of that throne which the Lord has prepared in the heavens, and that kingdom of which rules over all, Psa 103:19. The prophet observes that this was the same vision with that he saw by the river of Chebar (Eze 10:15, Eze 10:22), and yet in one thing there seems to be a material difference, that that which was there was the face of an ox, and was on the left side (Eze 1:10), is here the face of a cherub, and is the first face (Eze 10:14), whence some have concluded that the peculiar face of a cherub was that of an ox, which the Israelites had an eye to when they made the golden calf. I rather think that in this latter vision the first face was the proper appearance or figure of a cherub, which Ezekiel knew very well, being a priest, by what he had seen in the temple of the Lord (Kg1 6:29), but which we now have no certainty of at all; and by this Ezekiel knew assuredly, whereas before he only conjectured it, that they were all cherubim, though putting on different faces, Eze 10:20. And this first appearing in the proper figure of a cherub, and yet it being proper to retain the number of four, that of the ox is left out and dropped, because the face of the cherub had been most abused by the worship of an ox. As sometimes when God appeared to deliver his people, so now when he appeared to depart from them, he rode on a cherub, and did fly. Now observe here, 1. That this world is subject to turns, and changes, and various revolutions. The course of affairs in it is represented by wheels (Eze 10:9); sometimes one spoke is uppermost and sometimes another; they are still ebbing and flowing like the sea, waxing and waning like the moon, Sa1 2:4, etc. Nay, their appearance is as if there were a wheel in the midst of a wheel (Eze 10:10), which intimates the mutual references of providence to each other, their dependences on each other, and the joint tendency of all to one common end, while their motions as to us are intricate, and perplexed, and seemingly contrary. 2. That there is an admirable harmony and uniformity in the various occurrences of providence (Eze 10:13): As for the wheels, though they moved several ways, yet it was cried to them, O wheel! they were all as one, being guided by one Spirit to one end; for God works all according to the counsel of his own will, which is one, for his own glory, which is one. And this makes the disposal of Providence truly admirable, and to be looked upon with wonder. As the works of his creation, considered separately, were good, but all together very good, so the wheels of Providence, considered by themselves, are wonderful, but put them together and they are very wonderful. O wheel! 3. That the motions of Providence are steady and regular, and whatever the Lord pleases that he does and is never put upon new counsels. The wheels turned not as they went (Eze 10:11), and the living creatures went every one straight forward, Eze 10:22. Whatever difficulties lay in their way, they were sure to get over them, and were never obliged to stand still, turn aside, or go back. So perfectly known to God are all his works that he never put upon to new counsels. 4. That God make more use of the ministration of angels in the government of this lower world than we are aware of: The four wheels were by the cherubim, one wheel by one cherub and another wheel by another cherub, Eze 10:9. What has been imagined by some concerning the spheres above, that every orb has its intelligence to guide it, is here intimated concerning the wheels below, that every wheel has its cherub to guide it. We think it a satisfaction to us if under the wise God there are wise men employed in managing the affairs of the kingdoms and churches; whether there be so or no, it appears by this that there are wise angels employed, a cherub to every wheel. 5. That all the motions of Providence and all the ministrations of angels are under the government of the great God. They are all full of eyes, those eyes of the Lord which run to and fro through the earth and which the angels have always an eye to, Eze 10:12. The living creatures and the wheels concur in their motions and rests (Eze 10:17); for the Spirit of life, as it may be read, or the Spirit of the living creatures, is in the wheels. The Spirit of God directs all the creatures, both upper and lower, so as to make them serve the divine purpose. Events are not determined by the wheel of fortune, which is blind, but by the wheels of Providence, which are full of eyes.
II. Ezekiel sees the glory of God removing out of the sanctuary, the place where God's honour had long dwelt, and this sight is as sad as the other was grateful. It was pleasant to see that God had not forsaken the earth (as the idolaters suggested, Eze 9:9), but sad to see that he was forsaking his sanctuary. The glory of the Lord stood over the threshold, having thence given the necessary orders for the destruction of the city, and it stood over the cherubim, not those in the most holy place, but those that Ezekiel now saw in vision, Eze 10:18. It ascended that stately chariot, as the judge, when he comes off the bench, goes into his coach and is gone. And immediately the cherubim lifted up their wings (Eze 10:19), as they were directed, and they mounted up from the earth, as birds upon the wing; and, when they went out, the wheels of this chariot were not drawn, but went by instinct, beside them, by which it appeared that the Spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. Thus, when God is leaving a people in displeasure, angels above, and all events here below, shall concur to further his departure. But observe here, In the courts of the temple where the people of Israel had dishonoured their God, had cast off his yoke and withdrawn the shoulder from it, blessed angels appear very ready to serve him, to draw in his chariot, and to mount upwards with it. God has shown the prophet how the will of God was disobeyed by men on earth (ch. 8); here he shows him how readily it is obeyed by angels and inferior creatures; and it is a comfort to us, when we grieve for the wickedness of the wicked, to think how his angels do his commandments, hearkening to the voice of his word, Psa 103:20. Let us now, 1. Take a view of this chariot in which the glory of the God of Israel rides triumphantly. He that is the God of Israel is the God of heaven and earth, and has the command of all the powers of both. Let the faithful Israelites comfort themselves with this, that he who is their God is above the cherubim; their Redeemer is so (Pe1 3:22) and has the sole and sovereign disposal of all events; the living creatures and the wheels agree to serve him, so that he is head over all things to the church. The rabbin call this vision that Ezekiel had Mercabah - the vision of the chariot; and thence they call the more abstruse part of divinity, which treats concerning God and spirits, Opus currs - The work of the chariot, as they do the other part, that is more plain and familiar, Opus bereshith - The work of the creation. - 2. Let us attend the motions of this chariot: The cherubim, and the glory of God above them, stood at the door of the east gate of the Lord's house, Eze 10:19. But observe with how many stops and pauses God departs, as loth to go, as if to see if there be any that will intercede with him to return. None of the priests in the inner court, between the temple and the altar, would court his stay; therefore he leaves their court, and stands at the east gate, which led into the court of the people, to see if any of them would yet at length stand in the gap. Note, God removes by degrees from a provoking people; and, when he is ready to depart in displeasure, would return to them in mercy if they were but a repenting praying people.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 8–22. Public domain.
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Commentary on Ezekiel
(Vers. 15 seqq.) It is a creature that I saw beside the river Chobar. And when the Cherubim walked, the wheels also went beside them. And when the Cherubim lifted their wings to be lifted up from the ground, the wheels did not resist, but were also beside them. When they stood, they stood, and when they were lifted up, they were lifted up. For the spirit of life was in them. All things live to God and feel their Creator. For God is not the God of the dead but of the living (Matthew 22:32). And all the bodies of the wheels are full of eyes (Supra I) . And in the psalm it is said: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims the work of his hands. Day unto day speaks forth speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge (Ps. 19:1-2) . The sun also and the moon, the sea and the rivers, the mountains and hills praise God, and in their own cycle they revolve through the years, and we perceive the order of the heavens on earth, so that, by preserving the order of the ancient law, they may turn and run; and let us not see anything new upon the earth. But when it is said, 'It is an animal, which I saw by the river Chobar' (Ecclesiastes 1)', Scripture shows that we should understand the same thing in the interpretation of 'animal' as we understood above.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
This verse provides a vivid and essential detail within the prophet's profound vision of God's glory, meticulously describing the perfectly synchronized movement of the cherubim and the accompanying wheels (ophannim). As components of the divine chariot-throne, their unified action underscores the absolute precision, divine order, and unwavering sovereignty with which God's celestial retinue operates. This verse highlights the seamless coordination of God's holy presence as it prepares for a solemn departure from the defiled Jerusalem Temple, a powerful testament to divine holiness and the consequences of human sin and rebellion.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Ezekiel 10:16 is rich in Imagery, painting a vivid and awe-inspiring scene of divine movement and power. The detailed description of the cherubim and wheels moving in seamless Synchronization creates a powerful mental picture of precision, order, and unity within the divine realm. This synchronized movement functions as profound Symbolism: the cherubim and wheels collectively symbolize the divine presence, power, and the intricate mechanisms through which God's absolute sovereignty is expressed and executed. Their unified action underscores the Divine Choreography of God's plans, demonstrating that even in the solemn act of judgment and withdrawal, every aspect of His operation is perfectly orchestrated and controlled. The verse also employs a clear form of Parallelism in describing the corresponding actions of the cherubim and wheels ("when...went, the wheels went"; "when...lifted up, the same wheels...turned not"), emphasizing their inseparable connection and co-dependent movement, reinforcing the idea of a single, unified divine will in action.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 10:16 powerfully illustrates the absolute sovereignty, meticulous order, and unwavering holiness of God. The seamless, non-deviating movement of the cherubim and wheels signifies that God's actions are never haphazard or chaotic, even when they involve profound shifts like the departure of His glory from His earthly dwelling. This divine precision speaks to the trustworthiness of God's character and the certainty of His purposes. It underscores that God is not merely reacting to human sin but is enacting a deliberate, pre-ordained plan of judgment that is executed with perfect unity and control by His heavenly host. This vision reminds us that while God's manifest presence can be withdrawn due to unfaithfulness and defilement, His power and control remain absolute, and His divine will is always perfectly accomplished. It teaches that God's holiness demands a response, and His presence cannot tolerate unrepentant sin.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel's vision, though ancient and steeped in symbolic imagery, offers profound and enduring truths for contemporary believers. The perfect synchronization of the cherubim and wheels serves as a powerful reminder that God's plans are always executed with precision, order, and unwavering purpose, even when they involve difficult or painful circumstances like judgment or significant transitions. For us, this means cultivating a deep and abiding trust in God's sovereign hand, knowing that He is in complete control, even when our personal lives or global events seem chaotic, uncertain, or beyond our comprehension. It encourages us to seek alignment with God's will, to move in obedience and harmony with His Spirit, just as the wheels moved in perfect concert with the cherubim. This vision also implicitly warns against spiritual complacency and the defilement of our lives, reminding us that God's holy presence is not to be presumed upon. Just as the wheels never turned "from beside them," so too does God's presence and power remain intimately connected to His divine operations, guiding all things for His glory and for the good of those who are called according to His purpose, as powerfully affirmed in Romans 8:28. Our response to His holiness should be one of reverent obedience and a pursuit of purity.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What are the "cherubims" and "wheels" in Ezekiel's vision?
Answer: The "cherubims" (or cherubim) are powerful, angelic beings described as having multiple faces and wings. They are often associated with guarding God's holiness and serving as the bearers of His throne. The "wheels" (Hebrew: 'ophannim) are intricate, multi-directional wheels that accompany the cherubim. In Ezekiel 1, they are described as "a wheel within a wheel," capable of moving in any direction without turning. Together, they form the mobile, divine throne-chariot of God, symbolizing His omnipresence, sovereignty, and the swift, precise execution of His will across all dimensions.
Why is their synchronized movement significant?
Answer: The perfectly synchronized movement of the cherubim and wheels, as highlighted in Ezekiel 10:16, is profoundly significant because it underscores the absolute unity, precision, and divine order within God's heavenly administration. It demonstrates that every aspect of God's plan, even the solemn act of His glory departing from the Temple, is executed with flawless coordination and without deviation. This perfect harmony signifies God's complete control, His unwavering purpose, and the absolute obedience of His celestial beings, reinforcing His sovereignty over all creation and events, even those that bring judgment.
Does God's glory still depart from places today?
Answer: While the physical departure of God's glory from the Temple in Ezekiel's time was a unique, historical event signifying the end of an era for Old Covenant Israel, the underlying principle of God's presence being contingent on holiness and obedience remains relevant. In the New Covenant, God's presence indwells individual believers and the corporate church through the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Therefore, while God does not physically "depart" from believers in the same way He left the Temple, persistent unrepentant sin can grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) and diminish a sense of His manifest presence, power, and blessing in individual lives or in the life of a church. The call to holiness and spiritual purity remains vital for experiencing the fullness of God's presence and power.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 10:16, with its depiction of God's glory departing from a defiled Temple, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus. While the Old Covenant Temple was a physical dwelling for God's presence, it was merely a shadow and a type of the true Temple, which is Christ Himself (John 2:19-21). In Jesus, the very glory of God did not depart but "dwelt among us" in human flesh (John 1:14), making God's presence intimately accessible and perfectly holy in a way never before possible. Furthermore, the "mounting up from the earth" of the cherubim in Ezekiel foreshadows Christ's own glorious ascension, where He "was taken up before their very eyes" (Acts 1:9) not in judgment, but in triumph, to take His rightful place at the right hand of the Father. His ascension, however, was not a withdrawal of presence but a transformation, leading directly to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, by whom God's glory now indwells every believer, making them living temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Thus, the movement of God's glory, once tied to a physical structure and subject to its defilement, is now eternally secured in Christ and extended to His church, awaiting His glorious return when His presence will fully manifest to all creation (Matthew 24:30).