Ezekiel 10:18 kjv
Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims.
Ezekiel 10:18 nkjv
Then the glory of the LORD departed from the threshold of the temple and stood over the cherubim.
Ezekiel 10:18 niv
Then the glory of the LORD departed from over the threshold of the temple and stopped above the cherubim.
Ezekiel 10:18 esv
Then the glory of the LORD went out from the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubim.
Ezekiel 10:18 nlt
Then the glory of the LORD moved out from the entrance of the Temple and hovered above the cherubim.
Ezekiel 10 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 10:18 | Then the glory of the LORD departed from the threshold of the temple | Exodus 33:14, 23 (God's presence) |
| Ezekiel 10:18 | and stood over the cherubim. | Psalm 99:1 (God reigns on cherubim) |
| Ezekiel 10:18 | It then departed from the threshold of the temple | 1 Kings 8:10-11 (Cloud fills temple) |
| Ezekiel 10:18 | and stood over the cherubim. | Psalm 18:10 (God on cherubim) |
| Ezekiel 10:4 | The glory of the LORD rose from above the cherubim | 1 Sam 4:21 (Glory departed from Israel) |
| Ezekiel 9:3 | the glory of God of Israel went up from the cherubim | Isaiah 6:1-3 (Seraphim behold God's glory) |
| Ezekiel 11:22 | Then the cherubim lifted their wings… and the glory of the God of Israel was over them. | Ezekiel 1:24-25 (Cherubim's wings and divine presence) |
| Ezekiel 43:4 | The glory of the LORD entered the temple by the gate facing east. | John 1:14 (The Word became flesh and dwelt among us) |
| 1 Kings 8:11 | The priests could not enter the house of the LORD | Hebrews 9:8 (The way into the holy place was not yet revealed) |
| Isaiah 42:8 | I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I will not give to another. | John 17:5 (Jesus' glory with the Father) |
| Amos 8:11-12 | a famine… not of bread, nor a thirst for water, but for hearing the words of the LORD. | Jeremiah 7:14 (God forsakes His temple) |
| Psalm 132:13-14 | For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place. "This is My resting place forever..." | Acts 7:48-50 (God does not dwell in temples made with hands) |
| Romans 3:23 | for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God | Revelation 21:22-23 (Temple in new Jerusalem) |
| 2 Corinthians 3:18 | But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image... | Philippians 2:5-11 (Humiliation and exaltation of Christ) |
| John 14:16-17 | I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever, the Spirit of truth... | Ezekiel 11:19 (A new spirit will I give them) |
| Revelation 4:3 | And He who was sitting was like an jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne... | Zechariah 3:5 (Anointed One, garment of glory) |
| Hebrews 4:14 | Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God... | Ezekiel 1:28 (Appearance of the Lord's glory) |
| Lamentations 4:1 | How the gold has become dim! How the most pure gold has changed! The stones of the sanctuary are scattered at the head of every street. | Matthew 24:2 (Destruction of the temple) |
| Joel 2:27 | So you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: I, the LORD your God, and there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame. | Ezekiel 37:26-27 (God's dwelling place with His people) |
| Matthew 12:6 | Yet I say to you that in this place there is one greater than the temple. | John 2:19-21 (Jesus speaks of the temple of His body) |
Ezekiel 10 verses
Ezekiel 10 18 Meaning
The glory of the LORD departed from the threshold of the temple, filling the temple and resting upon the cherubim, signifying God's presence moving away from the corrupted sanctuary.
Ezekiel 10 18 Context
Chapter 10 continues the vision of Ezekiel, detailing the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. God's cherubim are described in motion, carrying His throne-chariot, indicating the departure of divine presence from the idolatrous people and their corrupted sanctuary. This departure signals judgment. The previous verse described the overwhelming glory and the blindness of the cherubim's faces. This verse details the initial movement of that glory, symbolizing a profound shift in God's relationship with His people due to their unfaithfulness. The historical context is the Babylonian exile, where Jerusalem and the temple were indeed destroyed, reflecting God's righteous judgment against sin.
Ezekiel 10 18 Word Analysis
- וַתְּהִי (vatehi): "and it was" or "and there was." The waw conjunction connects this clause to the previous action, showing a sequence. It speaks of existence or coming into being.
- כְּבֹד (kebod): "glory." This refers to God's manifested presence, His splendor, His majesty, and His inherent honor. It is the visible and tangible expression of His holiness and power.
- יְהוָה (YHWH): The personal covenantal name of God, the LORD.
- מֵעַל (me'al): "from above" or "from over." This indicates the direction of departure, moving away from its position.
- סַף (sap): "threshold" or "doorpost." Specifically, the lower part of a doorway. This emphasizes the departure from the very entrance of the sanctuary.
- הַמִּקְדָּשׁ (hammiqdash): "the sanctuary" or "the temple." The holy place dedicated to God's worship.
- וַתַּעֲמֹד (vatta'amod): "and it stood." The waw conjunction connects to the previous movement. "It" refers to the glory. It is the qal perfect third feminine singular verb from 'amad, meaning "to stand" or "to set."
- עַל (al): "upon" or "over." Indicates the resting place or position.
- הַכְּרוּבִים (hakkeruvim): "the cherubim." Plural form. These angelic beings are associated with God's presence and His throne.
Word Group Analysis
- "the glory of the LORD departed from the threshold of the temple": This phrase encapsulates the essence of divine abandonment. The "glory" (kebod) of Yahweh, representing His tangible presence and radiance, was previously in the Most Holy Place and emanating from the threshold. Its departure from the threshold signifies a judgment on the sanctuary and the people, indicating God's separation from them.
- "and stood over the cherubim": This indicates a transfer of location for the glory. The cherubim, which were guarding the presence of God and were themselves animated by divine power (as seen in chapter 1), become the immediate resting place or conveyance of the LORD's glory. It shows that the glory was not lost but repositioned upon the living creatures carrying His throne.
Ezekiel 10 18 Bonus Section
This verse is significant in understanding the departure of God's presence, a theme echoed throughout Scripture when judgment falls. The imagery of God's glory residing on or being carried by cherubim is a powerful visual representation of His transcendent nature and His active engagement with His creation, even in judgment. The movement of the glory away from the threshold is a stark contrast to God's promise in the future, where His glory will fill the new temple (Ezekiel 43:4-5), signifying His perpetual dwelling with His redeemed people. The specific location "over the cherubim" is important as these beings are associated with God's throne and his heavenly court, hinting at a cosmic reality of God's reign extending beyond earthly sanctuaries. This highlights that God's presence is not diminished, but it is repositioned as judgment is executed.
Ezekiel 10 18 Commentary
Ezekiel 10:18 marks a critical moment: God's glory, which once filled and resided in the Jerusalem temple, is now withdrawing. This withdrawal is not a passive act but a deliberate judgment due to Israel's persistent idolatry and rebellion. The glory, previously at the threshold, moves to rest upon the cherubim, symbolizing that the true divine presence no longer resides in the physical structure. The cherubim are guardians of holiness and carriers of God's presence. Their carrying of the glory underscores that God's glory is not bound to an earthly building but is mobile and tied to His presence with His people, even as He executes judgment. This foreshadows the ultimate departure of God's favor from unrepentant Israel, eventually leading to the temple's destruction. For believers, it emphasizes that true worship is about God's presence, not just physical location or ritual. The promise of a future dwelling of God's glory among His people, fulfilled in Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit, offers hope beyond judgment.