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.

And he spake {H559} unto the man {H376} clothed {H3847} with linen {H906}, and said {H559}, Go in {H935} between {H996} the wheels {H1534}, even under the cherub {H3742}, and fill {H4390} thine hand {H2651} with coals {H1513} of fire {H784} from between {H996} the cherubims {H3742}, and scatter {H2236} them over the city {H5892}. And he went in {H935} in my sight {H5869}.

He spoke to the man clothed in linen; he said, "Go in between the wheels under the k'ruvim, fill both your hands with fiery coals from between the k'ruvim, and throw them on the city." As I watched, he went.

And the LORD said to the man clothed in linen, “Go inside the wheelwork beneath the cherubim. Fill your hands with burning coals from among the cherubim and scatter them over the city.” And as I watched, he went in.

And he spake unto the man clothed in linen, and said, Go in between the whirling wheels, even under the cherub, and fill both thy hands with coals of fire from between the cherubim, and scatter them over the city. And he went in in my sight.

Ezekiel 10:2 describes a pivotal moment in Ezekiel’s prophetic vision, portraying the execution of divine judgment upon Jerusalem. This verse is part of a larger sequence where the glory of the Lord prepares to depart from the temple, signifying the impending destruction of the city by the Babylonians.

Context of Ezekiel 10:2

This verse continues the dramatic vision from Ezekiel Chapter 9, where six men with slaughter weapons and one man clothed in linen are tasked with carrying out God's judgment. The man clothed with linen, who previously marked the righteous for preservation, is now commanded to take "coals of fire" from between the cherubim and scatter them over the city. This act symbolizes the fiery judgment that Jerusalem is about to endure for its idolatry and rebellion. The cherubim and the wheels (often called Ophanim) are part of the elaborate divine chariot-throne described earlier in Ezekiel Chapter 1, representing God's omnipresence and sovereign control.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Wrath: The scattering of fire over the city is a clear and powerful symbol of God's fierce anger against sin. It highlights the inevitable consequences of persistent disobedience and idolatry.
  • God's Holiness and Justice: This act underscores God's absolute holiness, which cannot tolerate unrighteousness. His justice demands that sin be punished, even in His chosen city.
  • Symbolism of Fire: In biblical imagery, fire often represents both purification and destruction. Here, it is primarily an agent of destruction, signifying the complete devastation that will befall Jerusalem. It’s a parallel to the refining fire but in this context, it's judgment.
  • The Man Clothed with Linen: This figure, first seen marking those who mourned over the city's sins in Ezekiel 9:4, now participates in the judgment. This shift emphasizes that divine agents are instruments of both salvation and condemnation, according to God's will.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "man clothed with linen" (Hebrew: ish levushim badim) refers to a figure often associated with purity and priestly functions, as seen in the Old Testament, particularly in texts related to the tabernacle and temple service (e.g., Leviticus 16:4 for the High Priest). His role here, however, is not atonement but execution of judgment, drawing the coals of fire from the very presence of God's glory.

The "coals of fire" (Hebrew: gahaleh esh) are taken "from between the cherubims," indicating they originate directly from God's immediate presence, symbolizing that this judgment is not arbitrary but divinely ordained and holy.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 10:2 serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness of sin and the certainty of God's judgment. While we live under the new covenant of grace through Christ, this verse still highlights timeless truths about God's character:

  1. God is Just: He does not overlook sin indefinitely. His patience has limits, and His justice will ultimately prevail.
  2. Consequences of Rebellion: The destruction of Jerusalem illustrates that corporate and individual rebellion against God's commands leads to severe consequences.
  3. Urgency of Repentance: The impending judgment should provoke a deep sense of urgency for individuals and communities to turn from their wicked ways and seek God's mercy.

This passage encourages believers to live in reverence and obedience, understanding that God is both merciful and just, and His word will always come to pass.

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.

  • Revelation 8:5

    And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast [it] into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

  • Ezekiel 1:13

    As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance [was] like burning coals of fire, [and] like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.

  • Ezekiel 20:47

    And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.

  • Ezekiel 20:48

    And all flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it: it shall not be quenched.

  • 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 10:13

    As for the wheels, it was cried unto them in my hearing, O wheel.

  • Exodus 9:8

    ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh.

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