Ezekiel 10:20

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

This is the living creature {H2416} that I saw {H7200} under the God {H430} of Israel {H3478} by the river {H5104} of Chebar {H3529}; and I knew {H3045} that they were the cherubims {H3742}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This was the living creature I had seen beneath the God of Isra'el by the K'var River, so I knew they were k'ruvim.

Berean Standard Bible

These were the living creatures I had seen beneath the God of Israel by the River Kebar, and I knew that they were cherubim.

American Standard Version

This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river Chebar; and I knew that they were cherubim.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 10:20 serves as a pivotal moment of divine clarity within the prophet Ezekiel's profound visions of God's glory and impending judgment. Having previously encountered mysterious "living creatures" by the river Chebar, Ezekiel now receives explicit confirmation from the Lord that these awe-inspiring, multi-faceted beings are indeed the cherubim, celestial guardians intimately associated with God's throne and presence. This identification solidifies the theological understanding of these beings and underscores God's sovereign revelation to His prophet, even amidst the turmoil of exile.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 10:20 is situated within a larger visionary sequence in the book of Ezekiel, specifically chapters 8-11, which describe the departure of God's glory from the Jerusalem temple. This verse acts as a crucial clarification, linking the "living creatures" first introduced in [Ezekiel 1](/ezekiel/1 "Ezekiel 1 - The Vision of God's Glory") to the cherubim seen later in the temple vision. The immediate preceding verses in [Ezekiel 10](/ezekiel/10 "Ezekiel 10 - The Glory Departs the Temple") detail the cherubim's movements, their connection to the wheels (ophanim), and their role in the divine chariot-throne. The prophet's explicit statement, "and I knew that they were the cherubims," marks a moment of profound understanding and theological resolution, providing a definitive identity to the awe-inspiring, yet initially enigmatic, beings that accompany God's mobile throne. This revelation is essential for the reader to grasp the significance of God's presence and departure.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The visions of Ezekiel occurred during the Babylonian exile, a period of immense national trauma for the Israelites. The prophet himself was among the exiles by the [river Chebar](/ezekiel/1-1 "Ezekiel 1:1 - Ezekiel's Vision by the Chebar River") (modern-day Khabur in Mesopotamia), far from Jerusalem and its temple, which was soon to be destroyed. In this context, the visions served to remind the exiles that God's presence was not confined to the temple in Jerusalem, nor was His sovereignty diminished by their captivity. Cherubim were familiar figures in ancient Near Eastern iconography, often depicted as hybrid creatures guarding sacred spaces or associated with divine thrones. In Israelite tradition, they were prominently featured in the Tabernacle and Temple (e.g., on the Ark of the Covenant, temple curtains), symbolizing God's holiness and presence. Ezekiel's vision recontextualizes these familiar symbols, demonstrating God's mobility and continued sovereignty even in exile.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes in Ezekiel. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Revelation and Understanding**. Ezekiel's journey from seeing "living creatures" in [Ezekiel 1](/ezekiel/1 "Ezekiel 1 - The Vision of God's Glory") to "knowing" them as cherubim in [Ezekiel 10](/ezekiel/10 "Ezekiel 10 - The Glory Departs the Temple") illustrates the progressive nature of God's self-disclosure to His prophets. Secondly, it reinforces the **Nature and Role of Cherubim** as powerful, multi-faceted celestial beings intricately connected to God's presence, holiness, and mobile throne. They are not merely decorative but active participants in the divine realm, guardians of sacred space, and bearers of God's glory. Thirdly, the verse underscores **God's Sovereignty and Transcendence**, demonstrating that even as His glory prepares to depart the physical temple in Jerusalem (as seen in [Ezekiel 11:22-23](/ezekiel/11-22 "Ezekiel 11:22-23 - The Glory of the Lord Departs Jerusalem")), His heavenly court and sovereign power remain intact and active, transcending geographical and political boundaries.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **living creature (Hebrew, _chay'_):** (H2416) Derived from the root "to live," this term denotes something "alive" or a "living thing." In Ezekiel's visions, it initially describes the four enigmatic beings that accompany God's throne. The use of "living creature" emphasizes their vitality, dynamic movement, and perhaps their organic connection to the divine presence, distinguishing them from static, inanimate objects. The prophet's later identification of them as cherubim clarifies their specific identity within the broader category of "living creatures."
* **knew (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** (H3045) This primitive root signifies "to know," encompassing a wide range of understanding from simple ascertainment by seeing to deep, intimate knowledge, recognition, and comprehension. In this context, Ezekiel's statement "I knew" indicates a moment of profound recognition and insight. It's not just a casual observation but a divinely granted understanding that allowed him to identify the previously mysterious beings with the well-known celestial figures of cherubim, thereby connecting his new vision to established biblical theology.
* **cherubims (Hebrew, _kᵉrûwb'_):** (H3742) Of uncertain derivation, "cherub" refers to a specific type of imaginary or celestial figure. In the Old Testament, cherubim are consistently depicted as powerful, winged beings associated with guarding sacred space (e.g., the [Garden of Eden](/genesis/3-24 "Genesis 3:24 - Cherubim Guard the Garden of Eden")), serving as the throne or chariot of God (e.g., [Psalm 18:10](/psalm/18-10 "Psalm 18:10 - The Lord Rode Upon a Cherub")), and adorning the Tabernacle and Temple (e.g., on the [Ark of the Covenant](/exodus/25-18 "Exodus 25:18 - Cherubim on the Ark of the Covenant")). Ezekiel's explicit identification solidifies their role as the bearers of God's glory and participants in His heavenly court, providing a crucial link between his unique visions and established Israelite theological understanding of these beings.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"This [is] the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel":** This initial clause serves as a direct, declarative statement of identification. "This" refers to the specific, awe-inspiring beings Ezekiel has been describing throughout his visions, particularly in [Ezekiel 1](/ezekiel/1 "Ezekiel 1 - The Vision of God's Glory") and [Ezekiel 10](/ezekiel/10 "Ezekiel 10 - The Glory Departs the Temple"). The phrase "under the God of Israel" emphasizes their subservient position and intimate connection to the divine presence, indicating that these creatures are part of God's immediate retinue and support His throne or chariot. It underscores their role in facilitating the movement and manifestation of God's glory.
* **"by the river of Chebar;":** This phrase reiterates the geographical and temporal setting of Ezekiel's initial and subsequent visions. The "river of Chebar" was the location where Ezekiel, as an exile, first encountered the glory of God. This detail grounds the extraordinary, supernatural vision in a concrete, historical reality, reminding the reader of the prophet's personal experience and the context of God's revelation to His exiled people. It also highlights that God's presence is not confined to the temple but can manifest anywhere, even in a foreign land.
* **"and I knew that they [were] the cherubims.":** This is the climactic and revelatory part of the verse. The conjunction "and" introduces the consequence of Ezekiel's observation and divine insight. "I knew" signifies a moment of profound recognition and understanding, a divinely imparted clarity that allowed the prophet to identify the mysterious "living creatures" with the familiar, yet still awe-inspiring, cherubim of Israelite tradition. This identification resolves the ambiguity of the earlier descriptions, integrating Ezekiel's unique visionary experience into the established theological framework concerning God's heavenly attendants. It confirms their identity as the powerful, sacred guardians of God's holiness and glory.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 10:20 primarily employs **Identification** and **Clarification** as its central literary devices. The verse functions as an explicit naming and definition, resolving the ambiguity surrounding the "living creatures" from earlier chapters. This act of naming provides a sense of theological certainty and anchors the prophet's extraordinary visions within the established biblical understanding of celestial beings. The repetition of the setting, "by the river of Chebar," serves as a **Recapitulation**, grounding the supernatural vision in a specific, tangible location and reminding the audience of the continuity of God's revelation to Ezekiel. Furthermore, the progression from seeing (in [Ezekiel 1](/ezekiel/1 "Ezekiel 1 - The Vision of God's Glory")) to knowing (in [Ezekiel 10](/ezekiel/10 "Ezekiel 10 - The Glory Departs the Temple")) illustrates a **Narrative Arc of Understanding**, where the prophet's comprehension of divine mysteries deepens over time, mirroring the journey of spiritual insight for the reader.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 10:20 provides a crucial theological anchor, definitively identifying the "living creatures" as cherubim, thereby connecting Ezekiel's unique and often overwhelming visions to the broader biblical understanding of God's heavenly court. This identification reinforces the consistent portrayal of cherubim throughout Scripture as guardians of divine holiness, bearers of God's presence, and integral to His mobile throne. It underscores the profound order and purpose within God's celestial realm, assuring the exiles that even as the earthly temple might fall, the heavenly reality of God's sovereign rule, attended by His powerful angelic beings, remains unshaken. This verse deepens our understanding of the divine majesty and the intricate ways God reveals Himself.

* [Genesis 3:24](/genesis/3-24 "Genesis 3:24 - Cherubim Guard the Garden of Eden")
* [Exodus 25:18-22](/exodus/25-18 "Exodus 25:18-22 - Cherubim on the Ark of the Covenant")
* [Psalm 18:10](/psalm/18-10 "Psalm 18:10 - The Lord Rode Upon a Cherub")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel's journey from initial awe and bewilderment at the "living creatures" to a clear understanding of their identity as cherubim offers a powerful model for our own spiritual lives. It reminds us that God often reveals Himself progressively, and that true spiritual insight comes not just from observation but from a divinely granted "knowing." In times of uncertainty or spiritual confusion, we are called to patiently seek God's face, trusting that He will illuminate His truth in His perfect timing. The presence of the cherubim, intimately connected to God's glory and sovereignty, reassures us that even when our earthly circumstances are chaotic or our understanding is limited, God remains enthroned, majestic, and in control. This vision encourages us to look beyond the immediate, visible realities to the unseen, eternal truths of God's power and presence, finding comfort and stability in His unwavering majesty.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you currently seeking greater understanding or clarity from God?**
* **How does the knowledge of God's majestic, sovereign presence, attended by celestial beings, bring you comfort or challenge in your current circumstances?**
* **What does Ezekiel's progressive understanding teach you about the nature of divine revelation and your own spiritual growth?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of Ezekiel identifying the "living creatures" as cherubim?**

Answer: The identification is highly significant because it connects Ezekiel's unique and often bewildering visions to established Israelite theology. Cherubim were well-known celestial beings, depicted in the Tabernacle and Temple, and associated with guarding sacred space and bearing God's throne. By explicitly naming the "living creatures" as cherubim, Ezekiel provides a theological anchor for his visions, assuring his audience that these extraordinary encounters are not arbitrary but consistent with God's established heavenly order. It clarifies their role as integral to God's mobile throne and His departing glory, making the vision more comprehensible and reinforcing God's majesty and holiness. This moment of "knowing" (Hebrew: *yâdaʻ*) signifies a divinely imparted understanding, not just a personal guess, confirming the authenticity and theological depth of his prophetic experience.

**Why does Ezekiel mention the "river of Chebar" again in this verse?**

Answer: The repeated mention of the "river of Chebar" (Hebrew: *Kᵉbâr*) serves several purposes. Firstly, it grounds the supernatural vision in a specific, historical, and geographical context, reminding the reader of the prophet's location as an exile in Babylon. This detail emphasizes that God's presence and revelation are not confined to the land of Israel or the Jerusalem temple but can manifest anywhere, even in a foreign land among His exiled people. Secondly, it acts as a consistent point of reference, linking this specific moment of identification back to Ezekiel's initial, groundbreaking vision of God's glory in [Ezekiel 1:1-3](/ezekiel/1-1 "Ezekiel 1:1-3 - Ezekiel's First Vision at Chebar"). This repetition reinforces the continuity of God's revelation to Ezekiel and the authenticity of his prophetic calling, ensuring the audience understands that these are ongoing, connected encounters with the divine.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 10:20 primarily concerns the identification of Old Testament celestial beings, its Christ-centered fulfillment lies in how these cherubim ultimately point to the greater reality of God's presence and glory, fully embodied in Jesus Christ. The cherubim, as guardians of God's holiness and bearers of His throne, foreshadow the ultimate access to God's presence made possible through Christ. In the Old Covenant, cherubim guarded the way to the Tree of Life ([Genesis 3:24](/genesis/3-24 "Genesis 3:24 - Cherubim Guard the Garden of Eden")) and overshadowed the mercy seat on the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing God's inaccessible holiness. However, in Christ, the veil of the temple was torn ([Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Temple Veil Torn")), signifying that direct access to God's presence is now available through His atoning sacrifice. Jesus Himself is the ultimate revelation of God's glory, the "image of the invisible God" ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of the Invisible God")), and the one through whom we "have boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus" ([Hebrews 10:19](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19 - Boldness to Enter the Holiest")). Thus, the cherubim, who once guarded the way, now find their purpose in a new creation where Christ is the way, the truth, and the life, ushering believers into the very presence of God without fear. The mobility of God's glory with the cherubim in Ezekiel also anticipates the omnipresent and universally accessible glory of God revealed in the person of Christ, who is "God with us" ([Matthew 1:23](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Immanuel, God With Us")) and whose Spirit indwells believers, making them temples of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Our Bodies, Temples of the Holy Spirit")).

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

Ezekiel 1:1

¶ Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth [month], in the fifth [day] of the month, as I [was] among the captives by the river of Chebar, [that] the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.

Ezekiel 10:15

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

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.

Ezekiel 3:23

Then I arose, and went forth into the plain: and, behold, the glory of the LORD stood there, as the glory which I saw by the river of Chebar: and I fell on my face.

1 Kings 7:36

For on the plates of the ledges thereof, and on the borders thereof, he graved cherubims, lions, and palm trees, according to the proportion of every one, and additions round about.

1 Kings 6:29

And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, within and without.

1 Kings 6:35

And he carved [thereon] cherubims and palm trees and open flowers: and covered [them] with gold fitted upon the carved work.