John Calvin Commentary Ezekiel 10:3

"Now the cherubim stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court." — Ezekiel 10:3 (ASV)

Here the Prophet relates where the cherubim were when the men entered, which pertains only to the certainty of the prophecy. For we are not here to seek any clever speculations as to why they were on the right hand. It is only intended to show that the way was open for the angel to approach God directly, and that the cherubim were positioned there to render their assistance. For there should be an agreement between the angel who took the fire that he scattered throughout the whole city, and the cherubim who carried all the angels. Here the Prophet shows this agreement, because the cherubim were turned to the right hand when he entered, so that God was near; then the cherubim were also near, and thus the wheels carried the fire along.

Now we understand the intention of what we read. The interior court was filled with a cloud: doubtless this signifies that God, by all means, confirmed the vision, so that no suspicion could creep in that the Prophet was deluded by an empty specter (Exodus 40:34–35; Numbers 9:15).

Therefore, this is the reason why God not only appeared on His heavenly throne but also filled the temple with a cloud. Although, as I have said before, this cloud was a symbol of God’s alienation (1 Kings 8:10–11; Psalms 18:12), we know that the sanctuary was filled with a cloud even when God then wished to testify to His paternal favor.

But in this place and elsewhere (as in Psalm 18 and in other places), a cloud seems to signify the averted face of God, as if the temple were full of darkness. And this is better confirmed afterwards, for he says—