King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 10:19 Mean?

Ezekiel 10:19 in the King James Version says “And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also were beside them, and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the LORD'S house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.”

Ezekiel 10:19 · KJV

Context

17

When they stood, these stood; and when they were lifted up, these lifted up themselves also: for the spirit of the living creature was in them. of: or, of life

18

Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims.

19

And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also were beside them, and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the LORD'S house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.

20

This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; and I knew that they were the cherubims.

21

Every one had four faces apiece, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings.

Read Ezekiel 10 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The cherubim "lifted up their wings...and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above." This describes the shekinah glory departing from the temple—the most tragic moment in Israel's history. God's presence had dwelt in the tabernacle and temple for centuries, but persistent sin drove Him away. The phrase "glory of the God of Israel" emphasizes covenant relationship being severed through unfaithfulness. This departure anticipates the temple's destruction (586 BC) and warns that religious structures without God's presence are empty shells. The Ichabod principle appears: "The glory is departed from Israel" (1 Samuel 4:21).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This vision occurred in 592 BC, six years before Jerusalem's final destruction. Ezekiel witnessed God's glory leaving the temple in stages—from the Holy of Holies to the threshold (10:4), to the east gate (10:19), and finally to the Mount of Olives (11:23). This gradual departure demonstrated God's reluctance to abandon His people despite their persistent idolatry. Archaeological excavations of Jerusalem reveal the temple's magnificence, making its desolation even more poignant. The glory's departure explains why the second temple (rebuilt after exile) lacked the shekinah presence until Jesus—Immanuel, God with us—walked its courts (Matthew 1:23).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's departure from the temple warn against trusting religious institutions rather than pursuing His presence?
  2. What modern expressions of Christianity risk becoming empty shells lacking God's true presence and power?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיִּשְׂא֣וּ1 of 22

“lifted up”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

הַכְּרוּבִ֣ים2 of 22

“And the cherubims”

H3742

a cherub or imaginary figure

אֶת3 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כַּ֠נְפֵיהֶם4 of 22

“their wings”

H3671

an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna

וַיֵּר֨וֹמּוּ5 of 22

“and mounted up”

H7426

to rise (literally or figuratively)

מִן6 of 22
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָאָ֤רֶץ7 of 22

“from the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לְעֵינַי֙8 of 22

“in my sight”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

בְּצֵאתָ֔ם9 of 22

“when they went out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

וְהָאֽוֹפַנִּ֖ים10 of 22

“the wheels”

H212

a wheel

לְעֻמָּתָ֑ם11 of 22

“also were beside”

H5980

conjunction, i.e., society; mostly adverb or preposition (with prepositional prefix), near, beside, along with

וַֽיַּעֲמֹ֗ד12 of 22

“them and every one stood”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

פֶּ֣תַח13 of 22

“at the door”

H6607

an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way

שַׁ֤עַר14 of 22

“gate”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

בֵּית15 of 22

“house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוָה֙16 of 22

“of the LORD'S”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

הַקַּדְמוֹנִ֔י17 of 22

“of the east”

H6931

(of time) anterior or (of place) oriental

וּכְב֧וֹד18 of 22

“and the glory”

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

אֱלֹהֵֽי19 of 22

“of the God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל20 of 22

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם21 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מִלְמָֽעְלָה׃22 of 22

“was over them above”

H4605

properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 10:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 10:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 1:26-28Ezekiel 11:22-23Ezekiel 10:1Ezekiel 8:16Ezekiel 11:1Ezekiel 1:17-21

Test Your Knowledge

Ezekiel 10 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEzekiel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Ezekiel 10 with CommentaryAll Ezekiel ChaptersComplete Ezekiel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes