יחזקאל, פרק ט׳, פסוק ג׳

The Divine Presence, which had permanently dwelled in the Holy of Holies, begins a tragic departure. This movement serves as a dark warning of the impending destruction of the Temple. In this dramatic moment of transition, a call is made to summon a unique figure whose role is to defend the people.

The primary approach among commentators is that this event marks a clear and absolute withdrawal. The Glory of the God of Israel—the Divine Presence that had rested in the Temple up until this very moment—leaves its place above the Cherub. Historically, the Cherubim shielded the Throne of Glory upon the cover of the Ark of the Covenant, standing ready to serve God [רש״י, מצודת דוד, שטיינזלץ].

Although there were two Cherubim on the Ark, the departure is described in the singular. Some commentators view this simply as a collective reference to both figures at once [מצודת ציון]. Others, however, understand this as a hint to a slow, gradual movement, suggesting the Divine Presence traveled from one Cherub to the other [רד״ק].

From the Ark, the Divine Presence descends to the threshold of the Holy of Holies [רש״י, מצודת ציון], beginning its path out of the Temple entirely [שטיינזלץ]. This shift is the first of ten gradual stages in which the Divine Presence ultimately departed the sanctuary [רש״י, רד״ק]. The shifting of God's Glory is an unmistakable sign that the Temple is doomed to be destroyed [מלבי״ם]. Furthermore, it carries a symbolic warning about the future loss of prophecy from the Israelites, a spiritual connection that would cease completely during the era of the Second Temple [רד״ק].

From His new position at the threshold, God calls out to the familiar figure dressed in linen [מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. Reaching out to this man, who carries a writer's inkhorn at his waist, is a highly intentional act. God summons him specifically because his role is to act as a defender and advocate for the Israelites during this hour of severe crisis [מלבי״ם].