Ezekiel 28:14 kjv
Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
Ezekiel 28:14 nkjv
"You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones.
Ezekiel 28:14 niv
You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones.
Ezekiel 28:14 esv
You were an anointed guardian cherub. I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God; in the midst of the stones of fire you walked.
Ezekiel 28:14 nlt
I ordained and anointed you
as the mighty angelic guardian.
You had access to the holy mountain of God
and walked among the stones of fire.
Ezekiel 28 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 14:12-15 | "How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star... you said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven...' " | Parallel account of a celestial being's fall due to pride. |
| Lk 10:18 | "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." | Jesus' affirmation of Satan's dramatic expulsion from glory. |
| Rev 12:7-9 | "Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon... cast down to the earth." | Account of Satan's banishment from heaven. |
| 2 Pet 2:4 | "For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell..." | Divine judgment upon angels who sinned. |
| Jude 1:6 | "And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority but left their proper dwelling..." | Angels' abandonment of their original state and subsequent judgment. |
| Gen 3:24 | "...he drove out the man, and at the east of the Garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword..." | Cherubim as guardians of holy places and God's presence. |
| Exod 25:18-20 | "You shall make two cherubim of gold... facing each other, looking toward the mercy seat." | Cherubim as figures above the Ark of the Covenant, covering it. |
| Ps 18:10 | "He rode on a cherub and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind." | Cherubim associated with God's movement and divine presence. |
| 1 Pet 5:5 | "Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud...' " | Divine opposition to pride, the root of the cherub's fall. |
| Prov 16:18 | "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." | Warning against the dangers of pride and its outcome. |
| Jms 4:6 | "But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' " | God's stance against arrogance, linked to the cherub's transgression. |
| Zech 4:7 | "...who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain." | Metaphorical "mountain" for a great obstacle or kingdom. |
| Isa 2:2 | "It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established..." | God's holy mountain representing His spiritual dominion. |
| Ps 2:6 | "As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill." | God's sacred mountain as a place of divine authority. |
| Heb 12:22 | "But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem..." | New Testament understanding of God's heavenly holy mountain. |
| Rev 21:10 | "...and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God." | Image of the divine dwelling place and city. |
| Exod 24:10 | "...and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone..." | Pavement of God's throne, echoing "stones of fire" imagery. |
| Rev 4:6 | "...before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal." | Imagery of light and purity around God's throne. |
| Ezek 1:26 | "And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire..." | Vision of God's throne and associated precious materials. |
| Deut 4:24 | "For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." | God's holiness described as fire. |
| Matt 25:41 | "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.' " | Eternal fire as the destiny for Satan and fallen angels. |
Ezekiel 28 verses
Ezekiel 28 14 Meaning
Ezekiel 28:14 describes a once-exalted spiritual being, identified as an anointed guardian cherub, divinely appointed and placed on God's holy mountain amidst celestial splendor. It signifies a position of immense privilege, authority, and closeness to God, detailing its pristine state before its fall. This description is embedded within a prophetic lament over the human king of Tyre, yet employs language that transcends an earthly monarch, strongly suggesting a powerful, non-human entity, often understood as Satan, in his original created glory and pre-fall state.
Ezekiel 28 14 Context
Ezekiel 28 contains a divine lament against the King of Tyre, structured as a prophecy directed initially at an earthly monarch (verses 1-10) and then shifting to a cosmic dimension (verses 11-19). This shift, evident in verse 12 onwards, uses language far too grand for a human king, describing a being created perfect, dwelling in Eden, and appointed to a high spiritual station. Verse 14 specifically depicts this being's pre-fall state: its anointing, its role as a cherub, its dwelling on God's holy mountain, and its radiant surroundings. The immediate literary context highlights the Tyrian king's arrogant claim of divine status due to his wisdom and wealth (vv. 2, 6-7). This passage serves as a powerful polemic against such hubris, extending the judgment beyond a mere human to expose the spiritual pride that often undergirds worldly arrogance, ultimately revealing the ancient adversary behind the earthly manifestation. Historically, Tyre was a wealthy and powerful maritime city, notorious for its pride and self-sufficiency, often contrasting with the sovereignty of God.
Ezekiel 28 14 Word analysis
- You (אַ֠תָּה, `'attah`): Second person masculine singular pronoun. Directly addresses the subject, distinctly moving beyond the human king to a specific spiritual entity.
- were (היית, `hāyîtā`): Perfect tense verb, indicating a past state or completed action. Confirms this exalted position as a past reality for the addressed entity.
- the anointed (מִמְשַׁ֣ח, `mimshaḥ`): From the root `mashach` (to anoint). Here it is a unique verbal noun or adjective. It means "one who is anointed" or "of anointing," denoting a sacred consecration or appointment to a special, divine function. It signifies being set apart by God.
- cherub (כְּר֔וּב, `kərûv`): Hebrew `kərūḇ`. A class of powerful angelic beings. Often depicted with wings, associated with guarding sacred space, bearing God's throne, and manifesting His presence and glory.
- who covers (הַסּוֹכֵךְ֙, `hassokēkh`): Hebrew participle from `sakak` (to cover, protect, overshadow). Refers to the cherub's active role as a guardian, protecting God's holiness or shielding the divine presence, like the cherubim guarding the Ark of the Covenant.
- and I placed you there (וְנָתַתִּ֖יךָ, `v'natattīkhā`): Hebrew `wə-nāṯattîḵā` (and I gave/placed you). Emphasizes divine agency and sovereignty. God Himself assigned this exalted position; it was not self-acquired.
- you were on (הָיִ֥יתָ עַל, `hāyîṯā ʿal`): Signifies being positioned upon, in a place of eminence or authority.
- the holy (קֹ֥דֶשׁ, `qōdesh`): Hebrew for "holiness" or "sacred." Designates separation for God, purity, and divine character.
- mountain (הַ֣ר, `har`): Hebrew `har`. Symbolizes a place of proximity to God, often His dwelling or a place where revelation is given (e.g., Mount Sinai, Mount Zion). In this context, it signifies a celestial, heavenly realm.
- of God (אֱלֹהִ֖ים, `'elōhîm`): Hebrew `'elōhîm`. General name for God, emphasizing His divine authority and power.
- you walked (הִתְהַלַּ֔כְתָּ, `hithallaktā`): Hebrew hitpa'el verb `halakh` (to walk, to go). Implies familiarity, freedom of movement, and access within this sacred space. Often used for living in God's presence or according to His ways.
- in the midst of (בְּת֣וֹךְ, `bəthōkh`): Indicates surrounded by, being among.
- the stones (אַבְנֵי־, `'avne-`): Plural of `'even` (stone, gem). Suggests multiple, precious elements.
- of fire (אֵ֑שׁ, `'esh`): Hebrew for "fire." Represents divine presence, glory, purity, or perhaps brilliant gems (e.g., carbuncles, diamonds), often linked with the throne of God or celestial brilliance.
- "You were the anointed cherub who covers": This phrase details the entity's unparalleled spiritual office. "Anointed" signifies divine consecration and special purpose, while "cherub who covers" speaks to its exalted angelic status and a primary role of guardianship or presence near God's holy dwelling. This high station was God-given.
- "and I placed you there; you were on the holy mountain of God": Highlights divine sovereignty. God's act of placement confirms this position was by divine decree, not earned. The "holy mountain of God" transcends earthly geography, pointing to a heavenly or spiritual realm of God's immediate presence and authority.
- "you walked in the midst of the stones of fire": Describes a privileged access and environment of extraordinary glory and holiness. "Stones of fire" likely symbolize radiant, precious gems reflecting God's dazzling glory, indicative of immense splendor and a realm imbued with divine brilliance and purity. This speaks of profound intimacy with God.
Ezekiel 28 14 Bonus section
The concept of the "stones of fire" has been interpreted in various ways by scholars. Some see them as literal, dazzling gemstones—like diamonds, rubies, or other precious stones associated with God's heavenly throne or perhaps worn by the cherub. Others view them as metaphorical for the radiant glory, purity, and holiness of God Himself, where "fire" consistently represents divine presence in scripture (Exod 3:2, Deut 4:24). The phrase also subtly implies that despite its exalted status and radiant surroundings, the cherub walked through elements symbolic of God's intense purity and consuming holiness (Heb 12:29), suggesting an initial state of perfect alignment and blamelessness in this divine presence, a stark contrast to its later corruption.
Ezekiel 28 14 Commentary
Ezekiel 28:14 serves as a crucial theological text, describing the pre-fall state of a mighty spiritual being, often interpreted as Satan. This being was created in a state of absolute perfection, invested with an elevated, unique office ("anointed cherub who covers"). Its anointing by God signified a sacred purpose and special access to the divine. The cherub's dwelling on "the holy mountain of God" denotes not a literal earthly peak but a celestial domain, indicating a place of supreme holiness, authority, and intimacy with God, perhaps even around His throne. Its movement "in the midst of the stones of fire" paints a picture of glorious surroundings, symbolic of divine splendor, brilliance, and perhaps the precious, fire-like stones of God's throne or a pathway bathed in His glory. This verse powerfully conveys a being of unparalleled created beauty, power, and privilege, chosen by God Himself to occupy a singular place in the heavenly order, showcasing its original, undefiled honor before its tragic fall from grace through pride.