Ezekiel 10:8 kjv
And there appeared in the cherubims the form of a man's hand under their wings.
Ezekiel 10:8 nkjv
The cherubim appeared to have the form of a man's hand under their wings.
Ezekiel 10:8 niv
(Under the wings of the cherubim could be seen what looked like human hands.)
Ezekiel 10:8 esv
The cherubim appeared to have the form of a human hand under their wings.
Ezekiel 10:8 nlt
(All the cherubim had what looked like human hands under their wings.)
Ezekiel 10 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eze 1:8 | Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. | Initial description of hands on living creatures. |
| Eze 10:21 | Each one had four faces, and each one had four wings; and below their wings were the hands of a human being. | Repetition confirming cherubim's features. |
| Gen 3:24 | ...he drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim...to guard the way to the tree of life. | Cherubim's role as guardians. |
| Exod 25:20 | The cherubim shall spread out their wings above...Their faces shall be toward each other... | Description of cherubim on the Ark. |
| 1 Kgs 6:23, 27 | In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim of olive wood, each ten cubits high...and their wings spread. | Cherubim's large presence in Solomon's Temple. |
| Ps 18:10 (2 Sam 22:11) | He rode on a cherub and flew; he came swooping down on the wings of the wind. | God using cherubim for swift movement/manifestation. |
| Isa 6:2, 6 | Above him stood the seraphim...one of them flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal. | Similar winged celestial beings with hands for divine action. |
| Rev 4:7-8 | The first living creature was like a lion...each of them had six wings, full of eyes all around... | Vision of four living creatures in NT, similar angelic role. |
| Eze 1:5 | From the midst of it came the likeness of four living creatures... | Introduction to the living creatures' appearance. |
| Eze 10:2 | And he said to the man clothed in linen...“Take fire from between the whirling wheels, from between the cherubim.” | Cherubim involved in handling divine judgment fire. |
| Isa 41:10 | ...I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. | "Hand" symbolizing divine strength and action. |
| Ps 74:11 | Why do you hold back your hand? Stretch it out and destroy them! | "Hand" as an instrument of divine judgment/power. |
| Heb 1:7 | Of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire." | General nature of angelic beings as agents of God. |
| Dan 10:10 | And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my knees... | Angelic physical interaction with a human. |
| Zech 5:7-8 | ...a basket...This is Wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the basket; and he cast the leaden weight upon its mouth. | Hands are used to enact divine judgments or transport things. |
| Ps 104:4 | You make your messengers winds, your ministers a flaming fire. | Angels as direct, active agents of God's will. |
| John 10:29 | ...no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. | "Hand" denoting protection and power. |
| Eze 43:6-7 | And I heard one speaking to me from the temple, while a man stood beside me...and he dwelt among them forever. | Visionary elements of divine presence, sometimes including a human-like figure (here distinct from cherubim, but divine messenger). |
| Eph 1:19 | ...the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might. | God's power as the ultimate source of action, enacted by His agents. |
| Jer 32:17 | Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm... | "Arm" (related to hand) as a symbol of God's power. |
| Exod 3:20 | So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will perform in it. | God’s intervention, often described as His “hand.” |
| Phil 2:13 | For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. | God's action extends through His created beings, whether heavenly or human. |
Ezekiel 10 verses
Ezekiel 10 8 Meaning
Ezekiel 10:8 specifies a recurring detail from Ezekiel’s vision: the cherubim, the magnificent living creatures accompanying God's glory, possessed the "form of a human hand" beneath their wings. This reiteration emphasizes their sophisticated functionality and active role. It underscores that despite their awe-inspiring, composite, and non-humanoid features, these divine attendants were equipped for intelligent, precise, and executive action, enabling them to fulfill God's commands and bear His glory.
Ezekiel 10 8 Context
Ezekiel 10:8 is part of a prophetic vision given to Ezekiel in Babylon during the Babylonian exile. Chapter 10 describes the departure of God's glory (the kavod YHWH) from the Temple in Jerusalem, symbolizing impending judgment and the destruction of the city and its sanctuary. This vision closely parallels the initial encounter with the cherubim and God's glory in Ezekiel chapter 1. The detailed re-description of the cherubim, including their human hands, reaffirms their nature as intelligent, powerful executors of divine will. This context prepares for the somber climax where the glory ultimately ascends and departs (Eze 10:18-19), justifying the coming destruction due to Israel's idolatry and rebellion while reassuring the exiles that God's presence is not confined to the earthly temple. The reference to their active hands suggests they are not merely passive transporters of glory but active agents in this monumental event of divine judgment and withdrawal.
Ezekiel 10 8 Word analysis
- And there appeared (וַיֵּרָא, vayyēra): From the root ra'ah (רָאָה), "to see, appear, behold." The Hiphil imperfect form indicates a causative or declarative action—it was made to appear, emphasizing the divine agency behind the vision. This term signals an intentional revelation to Ezekiel, highlighting the specificity and divine source of the detail being observed.
- in the cherubim (לַכְּרוּבִים, lakh'ruvim): The definite article "the" (לַ) identifies these as the specific cherubim already introduced. Keruvim (כְּרוּבִים), plural of keruv, commonly associated with powerful celestial guardians of God's holiness and glory. Their name is often linked to Akkadian karibu (an intercessor or blessed spirit), indicating their role in mediating or manifesting divine presence and power, not just as decorative figures.
- the form (תַּבְנִית, tavnit): This word denotes a "pattern, model, structure, likeness, or representation." It's not a mere illusion but a distinct, perceivable manifestation. Tavnit is used elsewhere for the divine blueprints of the Tabernacle and Temple (Exod 25:9; 1 Chr 28:11–12), suggesting an exact and intentional design, reinforcing the deliberate creation of this feature.
- of a human hand (יַד־אָדָם, yad-adam): Yad (יָד) means "hand," a crucial biblical motif representing strength, power, activity, execution, and sometimes even character. Adam (אָדָם) means "man" or "humankind." The phrase specifies a human-like appendage, contrasting with the animal aspects of the cherubim (ox, lion, eagle faces). This implies intelligent design and capability for precise, deliberate manipulation or action, distinguishing them from mere creatures or forces.
- under their wings (מִתַּחַת כַּנְפֵיהֶם, mit'tachat kanfeihem): Mit'tachat (מִתַּחַת) means "from under, beneath." Kanfeihem (כַּנְפֵיהֶם) is the plural of kanaf (כָּנָף), "wing," with the pronominal suffix "their." The placement "under" the wings suggests a readiness for action that might be partly concealed, adding to their majesty and functional mystery. It reiterates a crucial functional aspect first seen in chapter 1, emphasizing that their means of action were integrated with their mobility.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "And there appeared in the cherubim the form": This phrase introduces the specific observation within the broader vision. The passive voice ("appeared") attributes the visibility to divine revelation rather than Ezekiel's active seeking. The cherubim are the location or context of this manifestation, and "form" specifies that it is a recognizable, distinct feature, not vague or ambiguous.
- "of a human hand under their wings": This group details the observed form and its location. The combination "human hand" (as opposed to an animal claw or paw) is significant, signifying intellect, dexterity, and purposeful action. Its placement "under their wings" highlights how this functional attribute is integrated into their powerful and mobile existence. The repetition from Ezekiel 1:8 emphasizes that this feature is fundamental to understanding the nature and capabilities of these divine attendants, enabling them to grasp and interact with the divine elements as seen later in the chapter (e.g., handling the coals of fire in Eze 10:2).
Ezekiel 10 8 Bonus section
- The re-emphasis on "human hands" among other composite animalistic features (ox, lion, eagle faces, wheels) distinguishes the cherubim from mere beasts. This element speaks to rational capacity, purposeful agency, and ability to fulfill complex, intricate commands, which would not be typically attributed to creatures relying solely on instinct. It links divine messengers to human-comprehensible executive action.
- This detail aligns with ancient Near Eastern iconography where anthropomorphic figures (sometimes winged) with human hands often signified deities or divine attendants performing specific, active tasks. Ezekiel's vision affirms this archetype while subordinating it clearly to the transcendent God of Israel, YHWH, whose cherubim possess these capabilities as agents of His unique power and justice.
- The consistent repetition of the human hand detail in Ezekiel 1:8, 10:8, and 10:21 ensures that this is not an incidental feature but a core aspect of the cherubim's being and function. It is essential for them to carry out their duties, whether guarding Eden (Gen 3:24) or, in this context, preparing for and overseeing the departure of God's glory from a defiled temple.
Ezekiel 10 8 Commentary
Ezekiel 10:8 explicitly reconfirms a key anatomical detail of the cherubim: the presence of human hands beneath their wings. This reiteration from the initial vision in Ezekiel 1:8 is crucial, underscoring the exactness and consistency of Ezekiel's divine revelation. The "form of a human hand" signifies that despite their often terrifying and composite appearances, these celestial beings possess intelligence and the capacity for precise, deliberate action. These hands are instruments of the divine will, enabling them to execute God's commands, manipulate elements of judgment (such as taking fire in Eze 10:2), and facilitate the movement of His glory. Their placement "under their wings" implies both hidden power and readiness, suggesting their actions are veiled by their majesty and mobility, yet intrinsically part of their service to the sovereign Lord. The detail ensures the reader understands the operational capacity underlying their magnificent yet mysterious forms.