יחזקאל, פרק י׳, פסוק ט״ו

The current vision of the divine chariot within the Temple connects directly to the prophet's earlier experience. Recognizing the spiritual entities before him, the prophet observes their movements and notes the differences from his past vision. The entities lift themselves up and rise [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ], effectively separating and departing from their previous position [מצודת ציון, מצודת דוד]. This upward movement carries a deep meaning. On one hand, it represents the removal of angelic protection and guidance from the Temple and Jerusalem, mirroring how God Himself has withdrawn His divine presence from the site [אברבנאל]. Conversely, this flight above the earth can be seen as a symbol of direct divine intervention, operating completely above the ordinary laws of nature [מלבי״ם].

To describe these entities, the prophet uses the singular term living creature as a collective name for all the cherubs [מצודת ציון]. By confirming that this is the very same creature he previously saw at the Chebar River, he emphasizes that despite any visual differences, these are the exact same spiritual beings [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. However, the shift in how they are described, changing from living creatures in the first vision to cherubs now, highlights several key distinctions between the two events. The current revelation takes place directly inside God's Temple, whereas the earlier vision occurred far away from it [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Furthermore, identifying them specifically as cherubs clarifies their true nature as pure, spiritual angels [אברבנאל].

The difference in their movement also reflects a shift in divine action. In the earlier vision, the creatures were seen walking, which represents God guiding the world through standard natural laws. Now, they are flying as cherubs, symbolizing a miraculous, supernatural form of guidance [מלבי״ם]. Even their physical appearance presents a contrast, as the prophet previously saw the face of an ox, but now sees the face of a cherub. Despite this change, their core essence remains entirely the same [מצודת דוד]. Another perspective suggests that the different faces observed in this current vision did not belong to the creatures themselves, but rather to the wheels of the chariot [אברבנאל].