Ezekiel 10:6
And it came to passe that when he had commanded the man clothed with linnen, saying; Take fire from betweene the wheeles, from betweene the Cherubims; then he went in and stood beside the wheeles. Ezekiel 10:6 (KJV)
Ezekiel 10 continues the prophet’s striking vision of the glory of the LORD departing from the temple in Jerusalem. In this passage the Lord commands a man clothed in linen to take fire from between the wheels, specifically from between the cherubim. The broader context of the chapter presents a divine, chariot‑like structure known as the “chariot of the cherubim” (Ezekiel 10:1), a heavenly apparatus that carries God’s glory. The cherubim, angelic beings throughout Scripture, are closely associated with God’s presence and worship.
Verse 2 records the command in fuller detail: “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” (KJV). This instruction points to a judgment upon Jerusalem for its sins and idolatry. The fire that is taken symbolizes God’s judgment, purification, holiness, and consuming power—motifs that recur throughout the Bible.
Verse 6 describes the man carrying out the command. After taking the coals and placing them in his hand, he goes in and stands beside the wheels. At the same time the glory of the LORD goes forth from between the cherubim, and the house of Israel sees this dramatic departure. The wheels themselves, earlier described in Ezekiel 1:15‑21 as having a complex structure and being covered with eyes, represent the heavenly vehicle that bears God’s sovereign presence.
The act of scattering fire over the city foreshadows the impending destruction that Jerusalem will face because of its unfaithfulness. Overall, Ezekiel 10:6 portrays a vivid scene of divine judgment, the execution of God’s command, and the withdrawal of His glorious presence from the temple. It serves as a powerful reminder of God’s holiness, His intimate presence among His people, and the serious consequences of disobedience. The passage urges believers to remain faithful and obedient, lest they incur the judgment that follows unfaithfulness and sin.
