King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 10:2 Mean?

Ezekiel 10:2 in the King James Version says “And he spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, even under the cherub, and fill thine ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, even under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city. And he went in in my sight. thine hand: Heb. the hollow of thine hand”

Ezekiel 10:2 · KJV

Context

1

Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.

2

And he spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, even under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city. And he went in in my sight. thine hand: Heb. the hollow of thine hand

3

Now the cherubims stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court.

4

Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD'S glory. went up: Heb. was lifted up

Read Ezekiel 10 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The man clothed in linen, identified as a priestly or angelic figure, receives a divine command to take burning coals from between the cherubim and scatter them over Jerusalem. The Hebrew word for 'coals of fire' (gachalei-esh, גַּחֲלֵי־אֵשׁ) signifies divine judgment and purification. This imagery echoes Isaiah's vision where a seraph touched his lips with a coal from the altar (Isaiah 6:6-7), but here the coals bring destruction rather than cleansing.

The command to scatter coals over the city represents God's righteous judgment upon Jerusalem's persistent idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. The wheels (galgal, גַּלְגַּל) represent God's providential governance—His sovereign control extends even to acts of judgment. The cherubim, guardians of God's holiness, participate in executing divine justice.

From a Reformed perspective, this passage underscores God's absolute sovereignty in judgment. He actively ordains and executes judgment against sin, even among His covenant people. The priestly figure's obedience models submission to God's will even in difficult tasks.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This vision occurred around 592-591 BC during Ezekiel's exile in Babylon, shortly before Jerusalem's destruction in 586 BC. The temple had become a center of syncretistic worship mixing Yahweh worship with Canaanite fertility cults. Ezekiel's earlier vision (chapters 8-9) revealed the abominations practiced in the temple courts.

The 'man clothed in linen' recalls the high priestly garments (Exodus 28:39-42), suggesting a mediatorial figure. For exiles who feared God had abandoned them, this vision confirmed that Yahweh actively controlled events, including Jerusalem's coming destruction.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage challenge modern assumptions that a loving God would never actively judge sin?
  2. In what ways might God's glory be departing from contemporary churches that compromise biblical truth?
  3. How should the reality of divine judgment shape our evangelism and prayer for the lost?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וַיֹּ֡אמֶר1 of 24

“And he spake”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל2 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאִ֣ישׁ׀3 of 24

“unto the man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

לְבֻ֣שׁ4 of 24

“clothed”

H3847

properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively

הַבַּדִּ֗ים5 of 24

“with linen”

H906

flaxen thread or yarn; hence, a linen garment

וַיֹּ֡אמֶר6 of 24

“And he spake”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

וַיָּבֹ֖א7 of 24

“And he went in”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל8 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מִבֵּינ֣וֹת9 of 24

“between”

H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

לַגַּלְגַּ֜ל10 of 24

“the wheels”

H1534

a wheel; by analogy, a whirlwind; also dust (as whirled)

אֶל11 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

תַּ֣חַת12 of 24
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

לַכְּרֻבִ֔ים13 of 24

“even under the cherub”

H3742

a cherub or imaginary figure

וּמַלֵּ֨א14 of 24

“and fill”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

חָפְנֶ֤יךָ15 of 24

“thine hand”

H2651

a fist (only in the dual)

גַֽחֲלֵי16 of 24

“with coals”

H1513

an ember

אֵשׁ֙17 of 24

“of fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

מִבֵּינ֣וֹת18 of 24

“between”

H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

לַכְּרֻבִ֔ים19 of 24

“even under the cherub”

H3742

a cherub or imaginary figure

וּזְרֹ֖ק20 of 24

“and scatter”

H2236

to sprinkle (fluid or solid particles)

עַל21 of 24
H5921

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

הָעִ֑יר22 of 24

“them over the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

וַיָּבֹ֖א23 of 24

“And he went in”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לְעֵינָֽי׃24 of 24

“in my sight”

H5869

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

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 10:2 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 10:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 8:5Ezekiel 10:16Ezekiel 1:13Ezekiel 20:47-48Ezekiel 10:7-13Isaiah 30:30

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