The Stages of the Departure (Part 1)

The Stages of the Departure (Part 1)

Ezekiel 10:1–22

Key Themes

Ezekiel 10 continues the visionary sequence that began in chapter 8. While chapter 9 depicted the impending slaughter of Jerusalem's inhabitants by angelic executioners, chapter 10 explains what makes this devastating judgment possible: the withdrawal of the Shechinah glory from the Temple. Historically and theologically, if God's visible presence remained in the Holy of Holies, Jerusalem was indestructible. Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum notes that this chapter documents the first two of four specific stages of the Shechinah's departure. Interwoven with this exit is the divine decree of judgment upon the city and a reaffirmation of the heavenly chariot (Merkavah) and its angelic bearers, the cherubim.

Verse-by-Verse Insights

The First Stage of Departure and the Coals of Fire (10:1-8)

The chapter opens with Ezekiel looking above the firmament over the cherubim, where he again sees the throne resembling a sapphire stone. From this throne, God issues a direct command to the linen-clad angel introduced in chapter 9. The angel is instructed to go between the "whirling wheels" under the cherubim, fill his hands with coals of fire, and scatter them over the city of Jerusalem. In chapter 1, these coals were not mentioned, but here they symbolize the impending judgment that will befall the city—a judgment that will coincide with the departure of God's glory.

While a Talmudic legend claims that the coals cooled as they were passed from the cherub to the angel (thereby preventing the complete annihilation of Israel), Fruchtenbaum clarifies that the biblical text contradicts this. The faithful remnant survived strictly because they received the protective mark of God in chapter 9, not because the fire of judgment was diluted.

During this exchange, the Shechinah begins its exit. It mounts up from its normal position between the golden cherubim in the Holy of Holies and moves to the threshold (the front entry door) of the Temple building. This marks the first stage of departure. As it moves, the cloud fills the Inner Court, and the brightness of YHWH's glory fills the Outer Court. The sound of the cherubim's wings is heard even in the Outer Court, thundering like the voice of God Almighty (El Shaddai). One of the cherubim then stretches forth a hand and places the coals of divine judgment into the hands of the linen-clad angel, who takes them and goes out to execute his commission.

The Anatomy of the Cherubim (10:9-17)

Ezekiel pauses the narrative of the departure to provide further details regarding the cherubim and the wheels, largely repeating his observations from chapter 1 but adding new information. He notes that the wheels are the color of a beryl stone and are constructed as a "wheel within a wheel," allowing them to move in any direction without turning.

A new detail in verse 12 is that not only the rims of the wheels, but the entire bodies, backs, hands, and wings of the cherubim are "full of eyes round about." This symbolizes the omniscience and omnipresence of God; He sees and knows the abominations occurring in secret. Ezekiel also learns the specific name of the wheels: "the whirling wheels" (Hebrew: galgal).

^{Chart comparing the four faces of the living creatures. In Ezekiel 1, the faces are eagle, lion, ox, and man. In Ezekiel 10, the face of the ox is replaced by the face of a cherub.}

Verse 14 introduces a notable change in the faces of the cherubim. While chapter 1 lists the faces as a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle, Ezekiel 10 replaces the face of the ox with "the face of the cherub." Fruchtenbaum notes that this suggests the primary identifying feature of a cherub is represented by bovine features, though the face of the man remains the prominent face looking outward.

The Second Stage of Departure (10:18-19)

The narrative returns to the Shechinah's movement. In verse 18, the glory of YHWH departs from the threshold of the Temple building and moves to stand over the cherubim. The cherubim then lift their wings, mount up from the earth with the whirling wheels beside them, and carry the Shechinah to its third position: the door of the east gate of YHWH's house. This places the glory of God hovering over the eastern gate of the outer wall of the Temple compound.

The Identity of the Cherubim (10:20-22)

The chapter concludes with Ezekiel explicitly affirming the identity of the entities he is witnessing. He officially recognizes that the "living creatures" he saw a year earlier by the river Chebar in Babylonia were, in fact, cherubim. Furthermore, he identifies the majestic figure seated upon the sapphire throne above them as the God of Israel. Ezekiel's repetition of these details is designed to prove that he is not witnessing a new or contradictory phenomenon; the sovereign God who commissioned him in exile is the same God now withdrawing His presence from a rebellious Jerusalem.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 10 provides a visual of divine judgment and the mechanics of God's presence. In the realm of Theology Proper, the "eyes round about" the cherubim establish God's omniscience—a refutation to the corrupt elders in chapter 8 who falsely claimed, "YHWH sees us not."

Furthermore, this chapter illustrates the intersection of Israelology and divine discipline. God's covenant with Israel guaranteed that the Shechinah would dwell among them, making their sanctuary impregnable. However, because of their relentless idolatry, God initiates a withdrawal of His presence. This departure proves that God does not abandon His people hastily or arbitrarily; rather, He is driven out by their spiritual adultery. Once the glory relocates from the Holy of Holies to the outer eastern gate, the physical Temple is rendered spiritually desolate, leaving it exposed to the devastating fires of Babylonian judgment.

The content presented here is a condensed recap derived from Dr. Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum’s work, Ariel’s Bible Commentary: The Book of Ezekiel.