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.

EZEKIEL 10:20KJV
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Ezekiel 10:20 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 10:20 mean?

Ezekiel 10:20 states that the living creatures Ezekiel saw by the river Chebar were cherubim, special heavenly beings. Ezekiel recognizes and identifies these beings as the same ones he saw earlier in his vision, confirming their unique role in God's presence.

In this verse, Ezekiel is speaking as he describes his vision to the exiled Israelites. The setting is by the river Chebar in Babylon, where Ezekiel has seen a dramatic vision of God's glory. By calling these beings "cherubim," Ezekiel connects this vision to earlier descriptions of God's throne and emphasizes that these are not ordinary creatures but specific, holy attendants of God.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 10:20

  • "creature" (חַיָּה, ḥayyāh): This word means "living being" or "living creature." It highlights the vitality and active presence of these beings, not just as symbols but as real, dynamic entities in Ezekiel's vision.
  • "cherubims" (כְּרוּבִים, keruvim): This word refers to a specific class of angelic beings often associated with God's throne or presence. Recognizing them as "cherubim" links Ezekiel's vision to the imagery found in the tabernacle and temple, where cherubim are depicted as guardians of God's holiness.

Why Ezekiel 10:20 matters

  • Ezekiel 10:20 clarifies that the beings in his vision are not generic angels but the same cherubim described in earlier visions, reinforcing the consistency and reliability of Ezekiel's prophetic experience.
  • By identifying the location as the river Chebar, the verse grounds the vision in a real place and time, emphasizing that God's presence and glory can appear even in exile, far from Jerusalem.
  • This verse helps the reader connect the themes of God's holiness and majesty throughout Ezekiel, showing that God's presence is accompanied by these powerful, mysterious beings.

Where else these words appear

“Chebar” Hebrew H3529 · used in 8 verses

  • Ezekiel 1:1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
  • Ezekiel 3:15 Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.
  • Ezekiel 10:15 And the cherubims were lifted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar.

“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.

“river” Hebrew H5104 · used in 109 verses

  • Genesis 2:10 And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.
  • Ezra 8:31 Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way.
  • Isaiah 42:15 I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools.