‘Then I looked and behold, on the flat plate that was over the head of the cherubim there appeared above them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.'
Here we are carried right back again to the first vision in chapter 1. The flat level plain of the colour of awesome ice borne by the cherubim, and the glorious, sparkling blue likeness to a throne above (Ezekiel 1:22; Ezekiel 1:26). But this time it is at Jerusalem. This is the first mention of the chariot since chapter 3, unless we take Ezekiel 8:4 as such a reference. We are probably intended to see that it has arrived to take Yahweh away. Here the living creatures are identified as cherubim for the first time. Until now Ezekiel has not wanted to suggest that Yahweh's permanent earthly throne was no longer in the temple.