Ezekiel 11 22

Ezekiel 11:22 kjv

Then did the cherubims lift up their wings, and the wheels beside them; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.

Ezekiel 11:22 nkjv

So the cherubim lifted up their wings, with the wheels beside them, and the glory of the God of Israel was high above them.

Ezekiel 11:22 niv

Then the cherubim, with the wheels beside them, spread their wings, and the glory of the God of Israel was above them.

Ezekiel 11:22 esv

Then the cherubim lifted up their wings, with the wheels beside them, and the glory of the God of Israel was over them.

Ezekiel 11:22 nlt

Then the cherubim lifted their wings and rose into the air with their wheels beside them, and the glory of the God of Israel hovered above them.

Ezekiel 11 verses

Ezekiel 11 22 Meaning

The cherubim departed, carrying the glory of the God of Israel with them as they moved towards the city's eastern gate. This signifies a visible departure of God's presence from Jerusalem due to its inhabitants' idolatry and sin.

Ezekiel 11 22 Context

This verse is part of Ezekiel's vision of judgment and restoration. Chapters 8-11 detail Ezekiel's vision of the idolatry within the Temple and Jerusalem. God reveals the pervasive sin, culminating in this vision of His glory departing from the city. This departure is a consequence of the people's faithfulness and their continued defilement of God's dwelling place. Historically, this vision preceded and foreshadowed the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. The people's spiritual exile mirrored the physical exile they were about to experience. The cherubim are divine beings described in chapter 1 and 10, closely associated with God's presence and throne. Their movement signifies the itineration of God's presence as a precursor to judgment.

Ezekiel 11 22 Word Analysis

• וַיִּסְעוּ (wayyis‘ū):

  • 'וַיִּסְעוּ' (wayyis‘ū) comes from the root 'סָעַר' (sa‘ar), meaning "to move with a mighty rush," "to rush forward," or "to travel."
  • Here it's in the imperfect consecutive form, indicating a sequence of action – "and they moved."
  • The "they" refers to the cherubim.
  • It emphasizes a deliberate and powerful movement.

• הַכְּרוּבִים (hakkərûḇîm):

  • 'הַכְּרוּבִים' (hakkərûḇîm) means "the cherubim."
  • This is the plural form of 'כְּרוּב' (kərûḇ).
  • Cherubim are supernatural beings associated with God's presence, power, and majesty. They are often depicted as guardians of sacred spaces.

• וְשָׂמָה (wəśā māh):

  • 'וְשָׂמָה' (wəśā māh) comes from the verb root 'שׂוּם' (sūm), meaning "to set," "to place," "to put."
  • The 'וְ' (wə) is a conjunction ("and").
  • The 'שָׂמָה' (śā māh) is the imperfect form with the feminine singular suffix '-ָה' (-āh), "she put."
  • This suggests an action of placing or setting down.

• עֹלָה (‘ōlâ):

  • 'עֹלָה’ (‘ōlâ) means "ascent" or "rising up."
  • It implies moving upwards or increasing.
  • Here, it signifies the upward movement of the glory.

• כְּנָפַיִם (kənāp̄ayim):

  • 'כְּנָפַיִם' (kənāp̄ayim) means "wings."
  • It's the dual form of 'כָּנָף' (kānāp̄), referring to two wings.
  • The cherubim in Ezekiel's vision possess wings, as described in chapters 1 and 10.

• מִן (min):

  • 'מִן' (min) is a preposition meaning "from."

• קֶרֶב (qereḇ):

  • 'קֶרֶב' (qereḇ) means "midst" or "middle."
  • It signifies being within or surrounded by.

• הָעִיר (hā‘îr):

  • 'הָעִיר' (hā‘îr) means "the city" (Jerusalem).
  • The definite article 'הַ' (ha) indicates a specific, known city.

• וְכָל־ (wəkāl-):

  • 'וְכָל־' (wəkāl-) means "and all."
  • The 'כָּל' (kāl) emphasizes totality.

• כָּבוֹד (kāḇōḏ):

  • 'כָּבוֹד' (kāḇōḏ) means "glory," "radiance," "honor," "majesty."
  • This is a key term referring to God's visible manifestation of His presence and divine essence.

• אֱלֹהֵי (’ĕlōhê):

  • 'אֱלֹהֵי' (’ĕlōhê) is the construct form of 'אֱלֹהִים' (’ĕlōhîm), meaning "God of."

• יִשְׂרָאֵל (yiśrā’ēl):

  • 'יִשְׂרָאֵל' (yiśrā’ēl) refers to Israel.
  • Thus, 'אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל' ('ĕlōhê yiśrā’ēl) is "the God of Israel."

• הָעוֹלֶה (hā‘ōlēh):

  • 'הָעוֹלֶה' (hā‘ōlēh) means "the one ascending" or "that which ascends."
  • It refers back to God's glory.

• לְמַעְלָה (ləma‘lâ):

  • 'לְמַעְלָה' (ləma‘lâ) means "upwards" or "above."

• מֵעַל (mē‘al):

  • 'מֵעַל' (mē‘al) means "from above" or "from over."

• כַּדָּבָר (kad­dā­ḇār):

  • 'כַּדָּבָר' (kad­dā­ḇār) means "as," "like," or "according to the word."

• אֲשֶׁר־ (’ăšer-):

  • 'אֲשֶׁר־' (’ăšer-) is a relative pronoun meaning "which" or "that."

• צִוִּיתָה (ṣiwwî­ṯâ):

  • 'צִוִּיתָה' (ṣiwwî­ṯâ) comes from the root 'צָוָה' (ṣāwâ), meaning "to command," "to charge," "to ordain."
  • It is the perfect tense with a feminine singular suffix "-תָּ" (-tā), referring to a divine command or ordination given to the prophet Ezekiel by God (implicitly).

• בְּיַד־ (bəyaḏ-):

  • 'בְּיַד־' (bəyaḏ-) means "by the hand of."

• יְחֶזְקֵאל (yəḥez­qêl):

  • 'יְחֶזְקֵאל' (yəḥez­qêl) is the prophet Ezekiel.

• Group Analysis - The Departure of God's Glory:

  • The phrase "the cherubim carried… and their wings, the glory of the God of Israel which was over them, upwards" connects the movement of the cherubim directly to the upward movement of God's glory.
  • The cherubim are depicted as agents of God's movement, bearing His presence.
  • The sequence "from the midst of the city" and the subsequent positioning "over the mountain that is east of the city" (Ezekiel 11:23) illustrate a progressive and directional abandonment of Jerusalem due to its sin. This visual imagery starkly communicates divine judgment.
  • The reference to "as I commanded you" points to God's faithfulness to His spoken word, even in judgment. The prophetic commission to Ezekiel included conveying God's word, and this vision is a confirmation of His authoritative command.

Ezekiel 11 22 Bonus Section

The cherubim are consistent throughout Ezekiel's visions (Ezekiel 1, 10) and represent a visible, tangible aspect of God's transcendent majesty and presence. Their moving wings carrying the glory upwards are not just a physical relocation but symbolize the holiness of God separating from sin. This imagery is echoed in the New Testament when Jesus ascends to heaven, implying His ascension as the glorification and exaltation of God's presence through His Son. The theme of God leaving His dwelling place due to sin is also seen in the lamentations in the Psalms (Psalm 74:1, 77:7-8) and prophetic denunciations (Jeremiah 7:15). The ultimate fulfillment of God's presence dwelling with His people is ultimately found in Christ, who is Immanuel ("God with us"), and in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who represents God's presence with believers even when His manifest glory is not visibly displayed in a particular location.

Ezekiel 11 22 Commentary

This verse marks a pivotal moment in Ezekiel's prophetic ministry, vividly portraying the physical manifestation of God's abandonment of Jerusalem. The departure of God's glory, borne by the cherubim, is a powerful symbol of His imminent judgment upon the city and its inhabitants who have deeply offended Him through their idolatry and disobedience. This is not a capricious abandonment but a righteous response to pervasive sin. The movement is described with deliberate detail—the cherubim themselves, acting as vehicles of divine presence, lift God's glory from the city, positioning it east of the city. This eastward direction is significant, perhaps indicating God's movement away from the heart of Israel's corrupted worship. This vision underscores that God's presence is conditional upon faithfulness; when His people turn away from Him, He may withdraw His manifest presence. This prefigures the coming destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem by the Babylonians, a physical exile mirroring their spiritual alienation from God. The prophecy points to a future hope of return and restoration, but first, judgment must be executed.