Ezekiel 11:22 Meaning and Explanation
“Then did the cherubims lift up their wings, and the wheels beside them; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The cherubim and wheels lift up, with God's glory moving above them to depart from the city.
The Context of Ezekiel 11:22
God's glory begins to depart from Jerusalem in the chariot of cherubim and wheels.
What Does Ezekiel 11:22 Mean?
After delivering the prophecy of both judgment and restoration, the vision shifts to show the departure of God's presence. The cherubim—the winged beings supporting God's throne—lift their wings, and the wheels beside them move. These are the same celestial creatures Ezekiel witnessed in his opening vision, indicating the movement of God's throne chariot.
The glory of the God of Israel moves above them, beginning to depart from the Temple and the city. This visual representation shows that God is withdrawing His protective and sustaining presence from Jerusalem. The departure is both literal (God's glory leaving the city) and symbolic: the city that rejected God's law and adopted pagan practices is about to lose the very presence that made it holy.
Ezekiel 11:22 in the Original Language
keruvim (כְרוּבִים), 'cherubims' — winged divine beings serving as bearers of God's throne and guardians of sacred space.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 11:22
What does Ezekiel 11:22 mean?
The cherubim and wheels lift up, with God's glory moving above them to depart from the city.
What is the context of Ezekiel 11:22?
God's glory begins to depart from Jerusalem in the chariot of cherubim and wheels.