Bible Strands
Ezekiel 10:1
And I looked and saw above the expanse, above the heads of the cherubim, the likeness of a throne of sapphire.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Ezekiel records a vision while the LORD addresses a man clothed in linen. The observation occurs immediately before the man executes judgment on the city using coals from among the cherubim.
The words — The Hebrew וָ/אֶרְאֶ֗ה (va./'er.'Eh) translates literally to "and I saw," signaling a direct visual disclosure. הָ/רָקִ֙יעַ֙ (ha./ra.Ki.a') means "the expanse," denoting the elevated platform that separates the prophet from the divine throne.
The thread — The sapphire throne recalls Exodus 24:10, which describes a sapphire pavement under God’s feet. Ezekiel 1:22 similarly notes a crystalline expanse above the living creatures, maintaining a consistent vertical order in Ezekiel’s heavenly visions.
Why it lands — The text places a sapphire throne above the expanse and cherubim, establishing God’s elevated position before any movement occurs. A reader must acknowledge that divine authority occupies the highest point and frames all subsequent action.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.
Cross-references
- Exodus 24:10 and they saw the God of Israel. Under His feet was a work like a pavement made of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself.
- Ezekiel 1:22 Spread out above the heads of the living creatures was the likeness of an awesome expanse, gleaming like crystal.
- Revelation 1:13 and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe, with a golden sash around His chest.
- Revelation 4:2 At once I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne standing in heaven, with someone seated on it.
- Genesis 18:2 And Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.
- Genesis 18:17 And the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?
- Genesis 18:22 And the two men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD.
- Genesis 18:31 And Abraham said, “Now that I have ventured to speak to the Lord, suppose twenty are found there?” He answered, “On account of the twenty, I will not destroy it.”
- Genesis 32:24 So Jacob was left all alone, and there a man wrestled with him until daybreak.
- Genesis 32:30 So Jacob named the place Peniel, saying, “Indeed, I have seen God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”