יחזקאל, פרק י׳, פסוק י״ט

The departure of the Divine Presence from the Temple is a gradual process, with the heavenly chariot of glory lifting upward and beginning its journey outward. This event marks the second stage of God's departure, as His presence leaves the Holy of Holies and moves out toward the courtyard [רש״י]. The cherubim lift their wings and rise in full view of the prophet as they begin to exit the Temple. Moving in perfect harmony, the wheels rise alongside them, maintaining the exact same height and remaining completely parallel to the cherubim [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון].

Although the chariot consists of multiple cherubim and wheels, it operates as a single, unified entity, moving and stopping together as one [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. The chariot pauses its journey at the eastern entrance of the Temple, facing outward and away from the Holy of Holies [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. When they halt, they do not land on the ground but remain hovering in the air. This specific stopping point carries deep significance. People were gathered in that area with their backs turned toward the Sanctuary, a disrespectful stance that effectively forced God's glory to depart and rise above the earth [רד״ק].

As this unified chariot hovers at the eastern gate, the glory of God rests high above them. His presence is positioned not directly upon the cherubim, but above the firmament that spreads over their heads [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ].