2 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
And the LORD H3068 said H559 unto Moses H4872 and unto Aaron, H175 Take H3947 to you handfuls H2651 H4393 of ashes H6368 of the furnace, H3536 and let Moses H4872 sprinkle H2236 it toward the heaven H8064 in the sight H5869 of Pharaoh. H6547 And it shall become small dust H80 in all the land H776 of Egypt, H4714 and shall be a boil H7822 breaking forth H6524 with blains H76 upon man, H120 and upon beast, H929 throughout all the land H776 of Egypt. H4714 And they took H3947 ashes H6368 of the furnace, H3536 and stood H5975 before H6440 Pharaoh; H6547 and Moses H4872 sprinkled H2236 it up toward heaven; H8064 and it became a boil H7822 breaking forth H6524 with blains H76 upon man, H120 and upon beast. H929
At the brightness H5051 that was before him his thick clouds H5645 passed, H5674 hail H1259 stones and coals H1513 of fire. H784 The LORD H3068 also thundered H7481 in the heavens, H8064 and the Highest H5945 gave H5414 his voice; H6963 hail H1259 stones and coals H1513 of fire. H784
Then flew H5774 one H259 of the seraphims H8314 unto me, having a live coal H7531 in his hand, H3027 which he had taken H3947 with the tongs H4457 from off the altar: H4196 And he laid H5060 it upon my mouth, H6310 and said, H559 Lo, this hath touched H5060 thy lips; H8193 and thine iniquity H5771 is taken away, H5493 and thy sin H2403 purged. H3722
And as the evil H7451 figs, H8384 which cannot be eaten, H398 they are so evil; H7455 surely thus saith H559 the LORD, H3068 So will I give H5414 Zedekiah H6667 the king H4428 of Judah, H3063 and his princes, H8269 and the residue H7611 of Jerusalem, H3389 that remain H7604 in this land, H776 and them that dwell H3427 in the land H776 of Egypt: H4714 And I will deliver H5414 them to be removed H2189 H2113 into all the kingdoms H4467 of the earth H776 for their hurt, H7451 to be a reproach H2781 and a proverb, H4912 a taunt H8148 and a curse, H7045 in all places H4725 whither I shall drive H5080 them. And I will send H7971 the sword, H2719 the famine, H7458 and the pestilence, H1698 among them, till they be consumed H8552 from off the land H127 that I gave H5414 unto them and to their fathers. H1
Now as I beheld H7200 the living creatures, H2416 behold one H259 wheel H212 upon the earth H776 by H681 the living creatures, H2416 with his four H702 faces. H6440 The appearance H4758 of the wheels H212 and their work H4639 was like unto the colour H5869 of a beryl: H8658 and they four H702 had one H259 likeness: H1823 and their appearance H4758 and their work H4639 was as it were a wheel H212 in the middle H8432 of a wheel. H212 When they went, H3212 they went H3212 upon their four H702 sides: H7253 and they turned H5437 not when they went. H3212 As for their rings, H1354 they were so high H1363 that they were dreadful; H3374 and their rings H1354 were full H4392 of eyes H5869 round about H5439 them four. H702 And when the living creatures H2416 went, H3212 the wheels H212 went H3212 by them: H681 and when the living creatures H2416 were lifted up H5375 from the earth, H776 the wheels H212 were lifted up. H5375 Whithersoever the spirit H7307 was to go, H3212 they went, H3212 thither was their spirit H7307 to go; H3212 and the wheels H212 were lifted up H5375 over against H5980 them: for the spirit H7307 of the living creature H2416 was in the wheels. H212
And, behold, six H8337 men H582 came H935 from the way H1870 of the higher H5945 gate, H8179 which lieth H6437 toward the north, H6828 and every man H376 a slaughter H4660 weapon H3627 in his hand; H3027 and one H259 man H376 among H8432 them was clothed H3847 with linen, H906 with a writer's H5608 inkhorn H7083 by his side: H4975 and they went in, H935 and stood H5975 beside H681 the brasen H5178 altar. H4196 And the glory H3519 of the God H430 of Israel H3478 was gone up H5927 from the cherub, H3742 whereupon he was, to the threshold H4670 of the house. H1004 And he called H7121 to the man H376 clothed H3847 with linen, H906 which had the writer's H5608 inkhorn H7083 by his side; H4975
And one cherub H3742 stretched forth H7971 his hand H3027 from between the cherubims H3742 unto the fire H784 that was between the cherubims, H3742 and took H5375 thereof, and put H5414 it into the hands H2651 of him that was clothed H3847 with linen: H906 who took H3947 it, and went out. H3318 And there appeared H7200 in the cherubims H3742 the form H8403 of a man's H120 hand H3027 under their wings. H3671 And when I looked, H7200 behold the four H702 wheels H212 by H681 the cherubims, H3742 one H259 wheel H212 by H681 one H259 cherub, H3742 and another H259 wheel H212 by H681 another H259 cherub: H3742 and the appearance H4758 of the wheels H212 was as the colour H5869 of a beryl H8658 stone. H68 And as for their appearances, H4758 they four H702 had one H259 likeness, H1823 as if a wheel H212 had been in the midst H8432 of a wheel. H212 When they went, H3212 they went H3212 upon their four H702 sides; H7253 they turned H5437 not as they went, H3212 but to the place H4725 whither the head H7218 looked H6437 they followed H3212 H310 it; they turned H5437 not as they went. H3212 And their whole body, H1320 and their backs, H1354 and their hands, H3027 and their wings, H3671 and the wheels, H212 were full H4392 of eyes H5869 round about, H5439 even the wheels H212 that they four H702 had. As for the wheels, H212 it was cried H7121 unto them in my hearing, H241 O wheel. H1534
And say H559 to the forest H3293 of the south, H5045 Hear H8085 the word H1697 of the LORD; H3068 Thus saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD; H3069 Behold, I will kindle H3341 a fire H784 in thee, and it shall devour H398 every green H3892 tree H6086 in thee, and every dry H3002 tree: H6086 the flaming H3852 flame H7957 shall not be quenched, H3518 and all faces H6440 from the south H5045 to the north H6828 shall be burned H6866 therein. And all flesh H1320 shall see H7200 that I the LORD H3068 have kindled H1197 it: it shall not be quenched. H3518
Therefore thus saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD; H3069 Woe H188 to the bloody H1818 city! H5892 I will even make the pile H4071 for fire great. H1431 Heap H7235 on wood, H6086 kindle H1814 the fire, H784 consume H8552 the flesh, H1320 and spice H7543 it well, H4841 and let the bones H6106 be burned. H2787 Then set H5975 it empty H7386 upon the coals H1513 thereof, that the brass H5178 of it may be hot, H3179 and may burn, H2787 and that the filthiness H2932 of it may be molten H5413 in it, H8432 that the scum H2457 of it may be consumed. H8552 She hath wearied H3811 herself with lies, H8383 and her great H7227 scum H2457 went not forth H3318 out of her: her scum H2457 shall be in the fire. H784 In thy filthiness H2932 is lewdness: H2154 because I have purged H2891 thee, and thou wast not purged, H2891 thou shalt not be purged H2891 from thy filthiness H2932 any more, till I have caused my fury H2534 to rest H5117 upon thee. I the LORD H3068 have spoken H1696 it: it shall come to pass, H935 and I will do H6213 it; I will not go back, H6544 neither will I spare, H2347 neither will I repent; H5162 according to thy ways, H1870 and according to thy doings, H5949 shall they judge H8199 thee, saith H5002 the Lord H136 GOD. H3069
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Ezekiel 10
Commentary on Ezekiel 10 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 10
Eze 10:1-22. Vision of Coals of Fire Scattered over the City: Repetition of the Vision of the Cherubim.
1. The throne of Jehovah appearing in the midst of the judgments implies that whatever intermediate agencies be employed, He controls them, and that the whole flows as a necessary consequence from His essential holiness (Eze 1:22, 26).
cherubim—in Eze 1:5, called "living creatures." The repetition of the vision implies that the judgments are approaching nearer and nearer. These two visions of Deity were granted in the beginning of Ezekiel's career, to qualify him for witnessing to God's glory amidst his God-forgetting people and to stamp truth on his announcements; also to signify the removal of God's manifestation from the visible temple (Eze 10:18) for a long period (Eze 43:2). The feature (Eze 10:12) mentioned as to the cherubim that they were "full of eyes," though omitted in the former vision, is not a difference, but a more specific detail observed by Ezekiel now on closer inspection. Also, here, there is no rainbow (the symbol of mercy after the flood of wrath) as in the former; for here judgment is the prominent thought, though the marking of the remnant in Eze 9:4, 6 shows that there was mercy in the background. The cherubim, perhaps, represent redeemed humanity combining in and with itself the highest forms of subordinate creaturely life (compare Ro 8:20). Therefore they are associated with the twenty-four elders and are distinguished from the angels (Re 5:1-14). They stand on the mercy seat of the ark, and on that ground become the habitation of God from which His glory is to shine upon the world. The different forms symbolize the different phases of the Church. So the quadriform Gospel, in which the incarnate Saviour has lodged the revelation of Himself in a fourfold aspect, and from which His glory shines on the Christian world, answers to the emblematic throne from which He shone on the Jewish Church.
2. he—Jehovah; He who sat on the "throne."
the man—the Messenger of mercy becoming the Messenger of judgment (see on Eze 9:2). Human agents of destruction shall fulfil the will of "the Man," who is Lord of men.
wheels—Hebrew, galgal, implying quick revolution; so the impetuous onset of the foe (compare Eze 23:24; 26:10); whereas "ophan," in Eze 1:15, 16 implies mere revolution.
coals of fire—the wrath of God about to burn the city, as His sword had previously slain its guilty inhabitants. This "fire," how different from the fire on the altar never going out (Le 6:12, 13), whereby, in type, peace was made with God! Compare Isa 33:12, 14. It is therefore not taken from the altar of reconciliation, but from between the wheels of the cherubim, representing the providence of God, whereby, and not by chance, judgment is to fall.
3. right … of … house—The scene of the locality whence judgment emanates is the temple, to mark God's vindication of His holiness injured there. The cherubim here are not those in the holy of holies, for the latter had not "wheels." They stood on "the right of the house," that is, the south, for the Chaldean power, guided by them, had already advanced from the north (the direction of Babylon), and had destroyed the men in the temple, and was now proceeding to destroy the city, which lay south and west.
the cherubim … the man—There was perfect concert of action between the cherubic representative of the angels and "the Man," to minister to whom they "stood" there (Eze 10:7).
cloud—emblem of God's displeasure; as the "glory" or "brightness" (Eze 10:4) typifies His majesty and clearness in judgment.
4. The court outside was full of the Lord's brightness, while it was only the cloud that filled the house inside, the scene of idolatries, and therefore of God's displeasure. God's throne was on the threshold. The temple, once filled with brightness, is now darkened with cloud.
5. sound of … wings—prognostic of great and awful changes.
voice of … God—the thunder (Ps 29:3, &c.).
6. went in—not into the temple, but between the cherubim. Ezekiel sets aside the Jews' boast of the presence of God with them. The cherubim, once the ministers of grace, are now the ministers of vengeance. When "commanded," He without delay obeys (Ps 40:8; Heb 10:7).
7. See on Eze 10:3.
one cherub—one of the four cherubim.
his hand—(Eze 1:8).
went out—to burn the city.
8. The "wings" denote alacrity, the "hands" efficacy and aptness, in executing the functions assigned to them.
9. wheels—(See on Eze 1:15, 16). The things which, from Eze 10:8 to the end of the chapter, are repeated from the first chapter are expressed more decidedly, now that he gets a nearer view: the words "as it were," and "as if," so often occurring in the first chapter, are therefore mostly omitted. The "wheels" express the manifold changes and revolutions in the world; also that in the chariot of His providence God transports the Church from one place to another and everywhere can preserve it; a truth calculated to alarm the people in Jerusalem and to console the exiles [Polanus].
10. four had one likeness—In the wonderful variety of God's works there is the greatest harmony:—
"In human works, though labored on with pain,
One thousand movements scarce one purpose gain;
In God's one single doth its end produce,
Yet serves to second, too, some other use.
(See on Eze 1:16).
wheel … in … a wheel—cutting one another at fight angles, so that the whole might move in any of the four directions or quarters of the world. God's doings, however involved they seem to us, cohere, so that lower causes subserve the higher.
11. (See on Eze 1:17).
turned not—without accomplishing their course (Isa 55:11) [Grotius]. Rather, "they moved straight on without turning" (so Eze 1:9). Having a face towards each of the four quarters, they needed not to turn around when changing their direction.
whither … head looked—that is, "whither the head" of the animal cherub-form, belonging to and directing each wheel, "looked," thither the wheel "followed." The wheels were not guided by some external adventitious impetus, but by some secret divine impulse of the cherubim themselves.
12. body—literally, "flesh," because a body consists of flesh.
wheels … full of eyes—The description (Eze 1:18) attributes eyes to the "wheels" alone; here there is added, on closer observation, that the cherubim themselves had them. The "eyes" imply that God, by His wisdom, beautifully reconciles seeming contrarieties (compare 2Ch 16:9; Pr 15:3; Zec 4:10).
13. O wheel—rather, "they were called, whirling," that is, they were most rapid in their revolutions [Maurer]; or, better, "It was cried unto them, The whirling" [Fairbairn]. Galgal here used for "wheel," is different from ophan, the simple word for "wheel." Galgal is the whole wheelwork machinery with its whirlwind-like rotation. Their being so addressed is in order to call them immediately to put themselves in rapid motion.
14. cherub—but in Eze 1:10 it is an ox. The chief of the four cherubic forms was not the ox, but man. Therefore "cherub" cannot be synonymous with "ox." Probably Ezekiel, standing in front of one of the cherubim (namely, that which handed the coals to the man in linen), saw of him, not merely the ox-form, but the whole fourfold form, and therefore calls him simply "cherub"; whereas of the other three, having only a side view, he specifies the form of each which met his eye [Fairbairn]. As to the likelihood of the lower animals sharing in "the restoration of all things," see Isa 11:6; 65:25; Ro 8:20, 21; this accords with the animal forms combined with the human to typify redeemed man.
15. The repeated declaration of the identity of the vision with that at the Chebar is to arouse attention to it (Eze 10:22; 3:23).
the living creature—used collectively, as in Eze 10:17, 20; 1:20.
16. (See on Eze 10:11; Eze 1:19).
lifted up … wings—to depart, following "the glory of the Lord" which was on the point of departing (Eze 10:18).
17. (Eze 1:12, 20, 21).
stood—God never stands still (Joh 5:17), therefore neither do the angels; but to human perceptions He seems to do so.
18. The departure of the symbol of God's presence from the temple preparatory to the destruction of the city. Foretold in De 31:17. Woe be to those from whom God departs (Ho 9:12)! Compare 1Sa 28:15, 16; 4:21: "I-chabod, Thy glory is departed." Successive steps are marked in His departure; so slowly and reluctantly does the merciful God leave His house. First He leaves the sanctuary (Eze 9:3); He elevates His throne above the threshold of the house (Eze 10:1); leaving the cherubim He sits on the throne (Eze 10:4); He and the cherubim, after standing for a time at the door of the east gate (where was the exit to the lower court of the people), leave the house altogether (Eze 10:18, 19), not to return till Eze 43:2.
20. I knew … cherubim—By the second sight of the cherubim, he learned to identify them with the angelic forms situated above the ark of the covenant in the temple, which as a priest, he "knew" about from the high priest.
21. The repetition is in order that the people about to live without the temple might have, instead, the knowledge of the temple mysteries, thus preparing them for a future restoration of the covenant. So perverse were they that they would say, "Ezekiel fancies he saw what has no existence." He, therefore, repeats it over and over again.
22. straight forward—intent upon the object they aimed at, not deviating from the way nor losing sight of the end (Lu 9:52).