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

EZEKIEL 10:18KJV
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Ezekiel 10:18 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 10:18 mean?

Ezekiel 10:18 describes a moment when the "glory of the LORD" leaves the threshold of the temple and moves to stand above the cherubim. This signals that God's special presence is withdrawing from the temple, an important and troubling sign for the people of Jerusalem.

In this vision, Ezekiel, a prophet living in exile, sees God's glory—often pictured as a bright, overwhelming presence—leaving its usual place in the temple. The "cherubim" are angelic beings associated with God's throne. This movement shows that God is no longer staying in the temple, which would have been shocking for people who believed the temple was the center of God's presence with them.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 10:18

  • "glory" (כָּבוֹד, kavod): This word refers to a visible, weighty presence or honor. Here, it points to God's manifest presence, not just an abstract idea of honor.
  • "departed" (יָצָא, yatsa): This verb means to go out or leave. The use of this word underlines that God's presence is actively moving away, not just fading or becoming less noticeable.
  • "threshold" (מִפְתָּן, miftan): This is the entrance or doorway area of the temple. The detail that God's glory leaves from this specific spot highlights the seriousness of the departure.
  • "cherubims" (כְּרוּבִים, keruvim): These are special heavenly beings often pictured as guardians of God's throne. God's glory moving to them suggests a shift from dwelling in the temple to being mobile, ready to leave entirely.

Why Ezekiel 10:18 matters

  • This verse makes clear that God's presence is not tied to a building; even the temple can lose God's glory if the people turn away from Him.
  • The movement of God's glory connects to the wider vision in Ezekiel, where God is preparing to judge Jerusalem for its unfaithfulness.
  • Understanding the specific actions—leaving the threshold and standing over the cherubim—helps readers see the seriousness of the situation and the symbolic meaning of God's withdrawal.

Where else these words appear

“threshold” Hebrew H4670 · used in 8 verses

  • 1 Samuel 5:4 And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.
  • Ezekiel 9:3 And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side;
  • Ezekiel 46:2 And the prince shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate without, and shall stand by the post of the gate, and the priests shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings, and he shall worship at the threshold of the gate: then he shall go forth; but the gate shall not be shut until the evening.

“cherubims” Hebrew H3742 · used in 66 verses

  • Genesis 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
  • 1 Kings 6:28 And he overlaid the cherubims with gold.
  • Isaiah 37:16 O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.