Ezekiel 10:20 - This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river Chebar; and I knew that they were cherubim.
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What does "Ezekiel 10:20" mean?
This verse from Ezekiel 10:20 is a key piece of the prophet Ezekiel's visionary experience. It connects two distinct visions he had earlier in the book:
Ezekiel's First Vision (Ezekiel 1): In chapter 1, Ezekiel describes a powerful and complex vision of divine beings. These beings have multiple faces (human, lion, ox, eagle), wings, and fiery appearances. He sees them accompanying a brilliant divine throne-chariot. He only knows that these creatures are connected to God's presence.
Ezekiel 10: In this chapter, Ezekiel witnesses the departure of God's glory from the Temple in Jerusalem. The same beings he saw in his earlier vision are present and active in facilitating this departure.
Meaning of the Verse:
Ezekiel 10:20 is the crucial moment of recognition. In this verse, Ezekiel states that the "living creature" he is currently seeing in chapter 10 is the very same creature he saw "under the God of Israel by the river Chebar." He then explicitly identifies these beings as "cherubim." This identification wasn't explicitly made in chapter 1.
Here's a breakdown of what the verse signifies:
1. Connection to the River Chebar: The River Chebar (or Kebar) was a canal in Babylon where Ezekiel was living in exile when he had his initial vision. Mentioning it anchors the current vision back to that original, powerful experience of divine revelation.
2. Recognition: The phrase "I knew that they were cherubim" is significant. It implies a realization, a dawning understanding. Perhaps initially, Ezekiel didn't fully grasp the nature or identity of the beings he witnessed in chapter 1. Now, in chapter 10, he has a clearer understanding, revealed through further divine interaction and understanding.
3. Identification of Cherubim: Most importantly, the verse labels these complex, multi-faced, winged beings as "cherubim." This provides insight into the nature of these entities:
Guardians of Holiness: In the Old Testament, cherubim are often associated with God's holiness and presence. They guarded the entrance to the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve were expelled (Genesis 3:24) and adorned the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle/Temple (Exodus 25:18-22). They are seen as protectors of God's sacred space and throne.
God's Throne Bearers: They are presented as beings who support and accompany God's throne.
Implications:
God's Sovereignty: This verse highlights God's sovereignty and control. These powerful cherubim are under God's command, carrying out His purposes. Even in exile, God's power is still present.
Divine Presence and Mobility: The presence of the cherubim in both visions (at the Chebar River and during the departure from the Temple) underscores that God's presence is not limited to a specific location. He is mobile and can move His glory as He wills.
Judgment and Hope: The context of Ezekiel 10 is the departure of God's glory from a corrupt Jerusalem, symbolizing impending judgment. However, the presence of these cherubim (who are associated with God) also provides a faint glimmer of hope, as they are still associated with God's presence.
In summary, Ezekiel 10:20 is a pivotal verse that clarifies the identity of the divine beings Ezekiel saw and connects them to the cherubim described elsewhere in the Old Testament. It reinforces God's power, mobility, and involvement in the events unfolding in Jerusalem, both in judgment and in the potential for future restoration.
Ezekiel 10:20 - This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river Chebar; and I knew that they were cherubim.
What does "Ezekiel 10:20" mean?
This verse from Ezekiel 10:20 is a key piece of the prophet Ezekiel's visionary experience. It connects two distinct visions he had earlier in the book:
Ezekiel's First Vision (Ezekiel 1): In chapter 1, Ezekiel describes a powerful and complex vision of divine beings. These beings have multiple faces (human, lion, ox, eagle), wings, and fiery appearances. He sees them accompanying a brilliant divine throne-chariot. He only knows that these creatures are connected to God's presence.
Ezekiel 10: In this chapter, Ezekiel witnesses the departure of God's glory from the Temple in Jerusalem. The same beings he saw in his earlier vision are present and active in facilitating this departure.
Meaning of the Verse:
Ezekiel 10:20 is the crucial moment of recognition. In this verse, Ezekiel states that the "living creature" he is currently seeing in chapter 10 is the very same creature he saw "under the God of Israel by the river Chebar." He then explicitly identifies these beings as "cherubim." This identification wasn't explicitly made in chapter 1.
Here's a breakdown of what the verse signifies:
1. Connection to the River Chebar: The River Chebar (or Kebar) was a canal in Babylon where Ezekiel was living in exile when he had his initial vision. Mentioning it anchors the current vision back to that original, powerful experience of divine revelation.
2. Recognition: The phrase "I knew that they were cherubim" is significant. It implies a realization, a dawning understanding. Perhaps initially, Ezekiel didn't fully grasp the nature or identity of the beings he witnessed in chapter 1. Now, in chapter 10, he has a clearer understanding, revealed through further divine interaction and understanding.
3. Identification of Cherubim: Most importantly, the verse labels these complex, multi-faced, winged beings as "cherubim." This provides insight into the nature of these entities:
Guardians of Holiness: In the Old Testament, cherubim are often associated with God's holiness and presence. They guarded the entrance to the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve were expelled (Genesis 3:24) and adorned the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle/Temple (Exodus 25:18-22). They are seen as protectors of God's sacred space and throne.
God's Throne Bearers: They are presented as beings who support and accompany God's throne.
Implications:
God's Sovereignty: This verse highlights God's sovereignty and control. These powerful cherubim are under God's command, carrying out His purposes. Even in exile, God's power is still present.
Divine Presence and Mobility: The presence of the cherubim in both visions (at the Chebar River and during the departure from the Temple) underscores that God's presence is not limited to a specific location. He is mobile and can move His glory as He wills.
Judgment and Hope: The context of Ezekiel 10 is the departure of God's glory from a corrupt Jerusalem, symbolizing impending judgment. However, the presence of these cherubim (who are associated with God) also provides a faint glimmer of hope, as they are still associated with God's presence.
In summary, Ezekiel 10:20 is a pivotal verse that clarifies the identity of the divine beings Ezekiel saw and connects them to the cherubim described elsewhere in the Old Testament. It reinforces God's power, mobility, and involvement in the events unfolding in Jerusalem, both in judgment and in the potential for future restoration.