Ezekiel 10:18

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Then the glory {H3519} of the LORD {H3068} departed {H3318} from off the threshold {H4670} of the house {H1004}, and stood {H5975} over the cherubims {H3742}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now the glory of ADONAI left the threshold of the house and halted above the k'ruvim.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the glory of the LORD moved away from the threshold of the temple and stood above the cherubim.

American Standard Version

And the glory of Jehovah went forth from over the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubim.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 10:18 captures a pivotal and somber moment in the prophet Ezekiel's vision, illustrating the continued, deliberate withdrawal of the visible manifestation of God's majestic presence, the *kavod YHWH*, from the Jerusalem Temple. Having previously moved from the inner sanctuary to the threshold of the house, the divine glory now relocates to hover over the cherubim, the celestial guardians of God's holiness. This progressive movement signifies a further, decisive step in God's abandonment of His defiled sanctuary and rebellious people, serving as a stark premonition of the Temple's imminent destruction and the subsequent Babylonian exile, yet simultaneously affirming God's absolute sovereignty and uncontainable nature.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 10:18 is situated within a profound and disturbing sequence of visions in [Ezekiel chapters 8-11](/ezekiel/8-11 "Ezekiel 8-11 - The Departure of God's Glory"), which graphically portray the reasons for and the process of God's glory departing from the Jerusalem Temple. [Chapter 8](/ezekiel/8 "Ezekiel 8 - The Abominations in Jerusalem") meticulously details the horrific idolatries and abominations being committed within the Temple precincts, providing the divine justification for the impending judgment. [Chapter 9](/ezekiel/9 "Ezekiel 9 - Judgment on Jerusalem") describes the execution of judgment upon the city, sparing only those marked by God. [Chapter 10](/ezekiel/10 "Ezekiel 10 - The Glory Departs the Temple Threshold") then focuses on the cherubim and the wheels (the "living creatures") associated with God's throne-chariot, emphasizing the mobility of God's glory. Verse 18 specifically describes the second stage of the glory's departure, following its initial movement from the inner sanctuary to the Temple threshold (as seen in [Ezekiel 9:3](/ezekiel/9-3 "Ezekiel 9:3 - Glory Moves to the Threshold") and [Ezekiel 10:4](/ezekiel/10-4 "Ezekiel 10:4 - Glory Over the Threshold")). This progressive movement culminates in the glory's complete departure from the city in [Ezekiel 11:23](/ezekiel/11-23 "Ezekiel 11:23 - The Glory Departs the City"), setting the stage for the Temple's utter destruction.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Ezekiel ministered during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, specifically during the Babylonian exile. He was among the first wave of exiles deported by Nebuchadnezzar in 597 BC. The visions recounted in [Ezekiel chapters 8-11](/ezekiel/8-11 "Visions of Jerusalem's Abominations and God's Departure") occurred in the sixth year of King Jehoiachin's exile (as noted in [Ezekiel 8:1](/ezekiel/8-1 "Ezekiel 8:1 - Ezekiel's Vision in Exile")), around 592 BC, just a few years before Jerusalem and its Temple were utterly destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC. For the Israelites, the Temple was not merely a building but the central place of worship and the perceived dwelling place of God, symbolizing His covenant presence, protection, and the stability of their nation. Its destruction, preceded by the visible departure of God's glory, was an unimaginable catastrophe, challenging their deepest understandings of God's faithfulness and their national identity. The cultural context includes the pervasive idolatry influenced by surrounding pagan nations, which had deeply infiltrated Judahite religious practices, as vividly depicted in [Ezekiel 8](/ezekiel/8 "Ezekiel 8 - The Abominations in Jerusalem").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Ezekiel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Withdrawal and Judgment**, demonstrating that God's presence is not automatically guaranteed but is contingent upon the faithfulness and holiness of His people. The departure of the *kavod YHWH* is a direct and righteous consequence of Judah's persistent sin and idolatry, as seen in the abominations detailed in [Ezekiel 8:6](/ezekiel/8-6 "Ezekiel 8:6 - The Abominations in the Temple"). Secondly, it highlights **God's Absolute Sovereignty and Holiness**. God is not bound to a physical structure, even the most sacred Temple, but is free to move according to His perfect will. His unblemished holiness demands separation from defilement, and His departure signifies His righteous judgment against unholiness. Thirdly, the mobility of the cherubim and the glory emphasizes **The Transcendence and Uncontainable Nature of God's Presence**. God's glory is dynamic and not confined by human constructs; rather, it is a living, moving reality, a truth powerfully illustrated by the divine throne-chariot vision described in [Ezekiel 1](/ezekiel/1 "Ezekiel 1 - Ezekiel's Vision of God's Glory").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **glory (Hebrew, _kâbôwd'_):** From the root *kâbad*, meaning "to be heavy" or "weighty," this term is used figuratively here to denote the visible manifestation of God's majestic presence, splendor, inherent worth, and divine authority. In Ezekiel's visions, this *kâbôwd* is often associated with a brilliant light, fire, and the dynamic living creatures, signifying God's awesome and overwhelming holiness. Its departure indicates the removal of God's protective and blessing presence from the defiled sanctuary.
* **departed (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ'_):** A primitive root meaning "to go out" or "come forth," this word in context implies a deliberate, intentional, and sovereign act of God's glory moving away. It is not a forced expulsion but a voluntary withdrawal, emphasizing God's decision to leave a place that has become defiled by human sin and rebellion. This term highlights the active agency of the divine presence in its controlled and purposeful movement.
* **cherubims (Hebrew, _kᵉrûwb'_):** Of uncertain derivation, these are celestial beings described in Ezekiel as having multiple faces (human, lion, ox, eagle) and wings, often associated with guarding sacred space (e.g., [Genesis 3:24](/genesis/3-24 "Genesis 3:24 - Cherubim Guarding the Tree of Life")) and serving as the bearers of God's throne-chariot (e.g., [Ezekiel 1](/ezekiel/1 "Ezekiel 1 - Ezekiel's Vision of God's Glory")). In Ezekiel's vision, they are intrinsically linked to the movement of God's glory, acting as its escort or vehicle. Their presence underscores the divine, supernatural nature of the glory's departure and its uncontainable mobility.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house":** This clause describes a crucial and somber stage in the divine withdrawal. The "glory of the LORD" (Hebrew: *kavod YHWH*) refers to the tangible, visible manifestation of God's majestic presence, often accompanied by light and fire. Its movement "from off the threshold of the house" indicates a further, decisive step away from the Temple's inner sanctuary, where it had previously resided (as noted in [Ezekiel 9:3](/ezekiel/9-3 "Ezekiel 9:3 - Glory Moves to the Threshold") and [Ezekiel 10:4](/ezekiel/10-4 "Ezekiel 10:4 - Glory Over the Threshold")). The "threshold" represents a significant boundary, and the glory's departure from it signifies the crossing of a point of no return, a clear indication that God is abandoning His dwelling place due to the profound and persistent defilement within. This act is a divine judgment, not a forced removal.
* **"and stood over the cherubims."**: This second clause specifies the new, temporary position of the glory. It "stood over the cherubims," which are the living creatures associated with God's throne-chariot, described in detail in [Ezekiel 1](/ezekiel/1 "Ezekiel 1 - Ezekiel's Vision of God's Glory") and [Ezekiel 10](/ezekiel/10 "Ezekiel 10 - The Vision of the Cherubim"). This detail profoundly emphasizes the mobility and sovereignty of God's presence, which is not confined to a static building but moves dynamically with its divine retinue. The cherubim, as guardians of God's holiness and bearers of His throne, now become the immediate locus of the glory, preparing for its complete departure from the Temple and the city. This signifies that God's presence is not bound by human structures or institutions but by His own holy character and sovereign will.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 10:18 employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey its profound theological message. **Symbolism** is paramount, with "the glory of the LORD" symbolizing God's active, manifest presence, divine approval, and protective power. Its "departure" symbolizes divine judgment, abandonment, and the severing of the covenant relationship due to Israel's sin. The "threshold" functions as a symbolic boundary, marking a critical point of no return in God's progressive withdrawal. The **Cherubim** are symbolic guardians of divine holiness and the carriers of God's mobile throne, emphasizing God's transcendence, His freedom from earthly constraints, and the supernatural nature of His movements. The passage also utilizes **Anthropomorphism** by describing the glory as "departing" and "standing," attributing human-like actions to an abstract divine manifestation. This makes the theological reality more comprehensible and impactful for the audience, vividly portraying God's intentional and sorrowful withdrawal. Furthermore, the progressive nature of the glory's departure throughout [Ezekiel chapters 8-11](/ezekiel/8-11 "Ezekiel 8-11 - The Departure of God's Glory") creates a powerful sense of **Dramatic Irony**, as the prophet and the reader are privy to the tragic outcome (the Temple's destruction) that this slow, deliberate withdrawal foreshadows, while the unrepentant people within the vision remain oblivious or unresponsive.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The departure of God's glory from the Temple in Ezekiel 10:18 is a profound theological statement about the nature of God's holiness and the severe consequences of persistent sin. It underscores that God's presence is not an automatic fixture or an unconditional guarantee tied to a physical location, but is conditional upon the purity, faithfulness, and reverence of His people. This event serves as a stark warning against spiritual complacency and idolatry, demonstrating that even the most sacred spaces, consecrated for divine worship, can be defiled to the point of divine abandonment. It also highlights God's transcendence; His glory is not confined to a building or human construct but moves according to His sovereign will, emphasizing His freedom from human limitations and His ultimate control over all creation. This departure, while a severe judgment, also sets the stage for a future hope, as God's glory would eventually return to a purified, eschatological Temple in the vision of [Ezekiel 43:4](/ezekiel/43-4 "Ezekiel 43:4 - The Return of God's Glory"), signifying a new covenant of restoration and an enduring, sanctified presence.

* [1 Kings 9:7-8](/1_kings/9-7-8 "1 Kings 9:7-8 - God's Warning About the Temple")
* [Jeremiah 7:12-15](/jeremiah/7-12-15 "Jeremiah 7:12-15 - The Fate of Shiloh and Jerusalem")
* [Hosea 9:12](/hosea/9-12 "Hosea 9:12 - God's Departure from Israel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 10:18 serves as a powerful and sobering reminder that God's presence, while gracious and merciful, is also supremely holy and demands reverence, purity, and faithfulness. For ancient Israel, the Temple was the tangible symbol of God's dwelling among them, and its defilement through rampant idolatry and moral corruption led directly to the withdrawal of His glory and subsequent judgment. For believers today, this passage carries profound spiritual implications. The New Testament teaches that our individual bodies are now the "temple of the Holy Spirit" ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body as a Temple")), and the church, as a collective body of believers, is God's dwelling place by His Spirit ([Ephesians 2:21-22](/ephesians/2-21-22 "Ephesians 2:21-22 - The Church as a Holy Temple")). Just as Israel's unrepentant sin grieved God and caused His glory to depart from the physical Temple, so too can unconfessed sin, spiritual apathy, and compromise grieve the Holy Spirit within us and within the church, hindering God's manifest presence, power, and blessing (see [Ephesians 4:30](/ephesians/4-30 "Ephesians 4:30 - Do Not Grieve the Holy Spirit")). This verse calls us to a life of intentional holiness, moral purity, and sincere worship, recognizing the profound privilege and solemn responsibility of being the dwelling place of God's Spirit. It challenges us to examine our individual lives and corporate gatherings, ensuring that we are not engaging in "abominations" that would cause the Spirit to withdraw or His vibrant presence to be diminished.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways might our personal lives or our corporate worship spaces today become "defiled" in a manner that grieves the Holy Spirit or diminishes God's manifest presence?**
* **What practical and actionable steps can we take to cultivate a greater sense of reverence, holiness, and purity in our daily walk with God and in our communal gatherings?**
* **How does understanding God's absolute holiness and His freedom from human structures impact your view of worship, spiritual practice, and the importance of personal sanctification?**
* **What enduring lessons can the church today learn from Israel's experience regarding the dire consequences of spiritual complacency, idolatry, and neglecting God's commands?**

### FAQ

**What is the "glory of the LORD" mentioned in Ezekiel 10:18?**

Answer: The "glory of the LORD" (Hebrew: *kavod YHWH*) refers to the visible, tangible manifestation of God's majestic presence, inherent worth, and divine authority. In the Old Testament, it often appeared as a brilliant light, fire, or a cloud, signifying God's active presence among His people, particularly in the tabernacle and Temple. In Ezekiel's visions, it is intricately linked with the divine throne-chariot and the cherubim, representing the overwhelming holiness, power, and dynamic nature of God. Its departure from the Temple signifies God's sovereign withdrawal of His protective and blessing presence due to the people's pervasive sin.

**Why did the glory of the LORD depart from the Temple?**

Answer: The departure of the glory of the LORD from the Temple was a direct and righteous consequence of the rampant idolatry, moral corruption, and spiritual abominations committed by the people of Judah and their leaders within the very precincts of the Temple, as vividly detailed in [Ezekiel chapter 8](/ezekiel/8 "Ezekiel 8 - The Abominations in Jerusalem"). God's holiness cannot tolerate defilement, and His departure symbolized His righteous judgment against a people who had continually rebelled against His covenant, profaned His sacred dwelling place, and turned to pagan practices. It was a sovereign act of God, indicating His abandonment of a sanctuary that had been desecrated beyond measure.

**What is the significance of the glory moving "over the cherubims"?**

Answer: The cherubim are celestial beings associated with guarding sacred space (e.g., [Genesis 3:24](/genesis/3-24 "Genesis 3:24 - Cherubim Guarding the Tree of Life")) and serving as the bearers of God's mobile throne-chariot (as seen in [Ezekiel 1](/ezekiel/1 "Ezekiel 1 - Ezekiel's Vision of God's Glory")). In Ezekiel's vision, the glory moving "over the cherubims" signifies several key truths. Firstly, it emphasizes that God's presence is not bound to a physical building, even the Temple, but is free to move with its divine retinue. This underscores God's sovereignty and His uncontainable nature, showing that He is not confined by human structures but resides wherever He chooses, particularly where His holiness is honored. Secondly, it prepares for the glory's complete departure from the city, as seen in [Ezekiel 11:23](/ezekiel/11-23 "Ezekiel 11:23 - The Glory Departs the City"), highlighting the deliberate and progressive nature of God's judgment and withdrawal.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 10:18, depicting the sorrowful departure of God's glory from the physical Temple due to Israel's sin, finds its ultimate and glorious Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament Temple, where God's *kavod* once dwelt, was always a shadow, pointing forward to the true and perfect dwelling place of God. Jesus Himself declared that He was the new and greater Temple, stating, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" ([John 2:19](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")), referring to His own body. John's Gospel powerfully proclaims that "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Here, the very *kavod YHWH* that departed from the defiled Temple in Ezekiel's vision now perfectly, permanently, and personally indwells Jesus, the Son of God, who is the very embodiment of God's presence, holiness, and truth. Through Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross, the ultimate barrier of sin that separated humanity from God's glory was removed, and the way was opened for a new, intimate dwelling. Furthermore, in the New Covenant established by Christ, God's glory no longer resides exclusively in a physical building but indwells believers through the Holy Spirit, making them individually "a temple of the Holy Spirit" ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body as a Temple")) and collectively building the church into "a dwelling place for God by the Spirit" ([Ephesians 2:22](/ephesians/2-22 "Ephesians 2:22 - The Church as God's Dwelling")). The temporary and conditional presence of God's glory in the Old Covenant Temple is superseded by the eternal, unblemished, and indwelling presence of God's glory in Christ and His church, culminating in the New Jerusalem where the "glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb" ([Revelation 21:23](/revelation/21-23 "Revelation 21:23 - The Lamb is the Light of New Jerusalem")), signifying God's permanent and unhindered dwelling with His redeemed people for all eternity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 18:10

And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.

Matthew 23:37

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not!

Matthew 23:39

For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Psalms 78:60

So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent [which] he placed among men;

Psalms 78:61

And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy's hand.

2 Kings 2:11

And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, [there appeared] a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

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.