And when I looked, behold the four wheels by the cherubims, one wheel by one cherub, and another wheel by another cherub: and the appearance of the wheels was as the colour of a beryl stone.

EZEKIEL 10:9KJV
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Ezekiel 10:9 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 10:9 mean?

Ezekiel 10:9 describes the prophet Ezekiel seeing four wheels beside the cherubim, with each cherub having a wheel next to it, and the wheels having the appearance of a beryl stone. The verse highlights a striking and mysterious vision, focusing on the unusual and radiant look of these wheels.

In this scene, Ezekiel is witnessing a vision given by God while he is among the exiles in Babylon. The cherubim are angelic beings, and the wheels are part of a larger vision of God's glory and presence. The mention of "beryl stone" suggests a gleaming, precious quality, emphasizing the supernatural and awe-inspiring nature of what Ezekiel sees.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 10:9

  • "wheels" (אוֹפָן, 'ophan): This word refers to the wheels seen in Ezekiel's vision. These are not ordinary wheels but are often understood as part of a heavenly chariot, symbolizing movement and the presence of God.
  • "cherubims" (כְּרוּב, keruv): This term refers to the angelic beings in the vision. Each cherub has a wheel beside it, showing a close connection between the beings and the wheels.
  • "beryl" (תַּרְשִׁישׁ, tarshish): This word points to a precious stone, often described as yellow-green or blue-green. The use of this word highlights the shining, beautiful, and otherworldly appearance of the wheels.
  • "colour" (עַיִן, ayin): Literally meaning "eye," in this context it refers to the appearance or surface look of the wheels, suggesting something striking and noticeable.

Why Ezekiel 10:9 matters

  • Ezekiel 10:9 helps clarify that the vision is not describing ordinary objects but supernatural elements meant to show God's glory and power in a way that is hard to put into everyday words.
  • The close pairing of each wheel with a cherub emphasizes order and purpose in God's heavenly realm, not random or chaotic movement.
  • This verse connects to the larger vision in Ezekiel, where God's presence is mobile and not limited to the temple in Jerusalem, which would have been a powerful message to exiles far from home.

Where else these words appear

“beryl” Hebrew H8658 · used in 7 verses

  • Exodus 28:20 And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings.
  • Song of Solomon 5:14 His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.
  • Ezekiel 28:13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.

“wheels” Hebrew H212 · used in 22 verses

  • Exodus 14:25 And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.
  • Ezekiel 1:15 Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces.
  • Ezekiel 10:10 And as for their appearances, they four had one likeness, as if a wheel had been in the midst of a wheel.

“by” Hebrew H681 · used in 57 verses

  • Genesis 39:10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
  • 1 Kings 4:12 Baana the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to Abelmeholah, even unto the place that is beyond Jokneam:
  • Proverbs 7:12 Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)

“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.